The Complete Guide to Dental Handpieces

Introduction: What is a dental handpiece?
A dental handpiece is a device used by dentists which is attached to a dental drill and is used to drill into teeth. The handpiece can be used with the drill is to remove decayed teeth or to fill the space left after removal of decayed teeth. The type of handpiece used by dentists will depend on the type of drill being used. Handpieces are available in different shapes and sizes, depending on what type of work is required.

What are the Different Types of Handpieces?
There are several different types of surgical handpieces, including:

  • Dental turbine handpiece
  • Electric handpieces
  • Electrosurgical units
    Air-driven or turbine handpieces are powered by compressed air. They require an air compressor to provide the compressed air and a pressure regulator to control the pressure. These units are often used in the dental field to shape and polish teeth, but they can also be used in a surgical setting to remove excess tissue. and tissue for grafts.
    Electric handpieces use electricity to power an electric motor; this eliminates the need for compressed air. This type of unit is often used in a surgical setting and can be used with a variety of materials, including – plastic, metal, or glass.
    Electrosurgical units dental typically use electrical current to power an electric motor; these units are often used for performing minor electrosurgery through the use of a disposable electrode.

What are the Benefits of Having a Dental Handpiece in Your Clinic?
Dental handpieces are an investment for any dental clinic. They are a necessary part of the practice, and can make a huge difference in how many patients a practice can see each day. There are many benefits to having one in the clinic, but it can be difficult to list them all in order of importance.
The most important benefit is that they allow the dentist to spend less time on each patient. With a dental handpiece, the dentist can simply switch out the tool being used on a patient and then move onto the next person. This means that the dentist is able to see more patients in a day and provide them with better service.

How to respair Electric Handpiece

Electric dental handpiece repair doesn’t require a complete rebuilding of the tool each and every time. Most times, the parts that are causing the issues are inspected and replaced if needed.

Sometimes, factory parts are required for a repair, other times, bearings of higher ratings can be used, depending on the state of the tool itself. Each brand and variation of handpiece has a different number of bearings and gears. That’s why you need to send your most important tool to the right repair company to ensure a safe and effective repair.

Regular servicing of your dental handpiece is crucial to ensure a long and well-functioning operation of the tool. There are some tell tale signs that your handpiece needs more than routine servicing. We’ll explain the problems and their solutions below.

If your dental handpiece is vibrating more than usual, it could be a sign that there’s a problem with the handpiece itself. The simple solution is that you may simply just need to flush the handpiece out with oil as directed by your manufacturer. Simple lubrication can work wonders for your handpiece. Alternatively, the bearings inside of the tool could be loose.

Every dentist is dependent on the electric handpiece in order for the practice to run smoothly. Proper maintenance allows the handpiece to keep running safely. The sterilization( autoclave sterilizer) process is actually what has the greatest effect on the equipment itself, causing it to suffer wear and tear. While every dental handpiece will need to be serviced at some point from time to time, it’s important to properly maintain your handpiece as you move through your day-to-day operations.

Characters of Air-driven and Electrical Dental Handpieces

Dental handpiece is one of the most fundamental devices used in dentistry, it can enhance the efficiency of dental tasks. Handpieces have gradually been redesigned and upgraded to become the highly accurate through the years. Technological advances continue to improve these indispensable dental equipment.

The use of air-driven “high-speed” handpieces enabled clinicians to work more expeditiously with reduced trauma to the tooth and the patient. This development presented a major improvement from the “belt-driven” handpieces that preceded them and represents one of the most significant leaps forward in the era of modern dentistry.

According to the manufacturer, some of the benefits of these technologies in an air-driven handpiece are: automatic optimization of power, that is, constant speed under load to avoid stalling; delivery of smooth, constant power and control for maximum cutting efficiency and faster removal of material; speed adjustment of the bur when it is not under load to minimize wear on the bearings.

Electrical handpieces operate at both high and low speeds. This makes them versatile for all kinds of procedures. Instead of bearings, this handpiece has gears instead of bearings. These handpieces are quieter due to the fact that air is not flowing through them for power.

Control panels for electric handpieces are becoming more automated, allowing the operator to use preset buttons to specifically dial in an RPM for a specific procedure. For example, most polishing procedures should be performed at lower RPM to minimize the generation of heat.

In many clinical situations, an electric handpiece can perform the same functions that both an air-driven high-speed and separate low-speed unit can. Since most clinicians still prefer individual handpieces for high and low speeds so they can be more efficient chairside, this may not make a difference when choosing between the two systems.

Dental handpiece is an essential element in any dentist’s armamentarium. It is a fundamental device that can enhance—or hinder, depending on its efficiency and maintenance—the daily routine of a practice. Selecting the right handpiece is critical to helping ensure the smooth operation of everyday activities.

The Advantages of Electric and Air-driven Handpieces

Dental handpiece is a fundamental dental equipment that can enhance—or hinder, depending on its efficiency and maintenance—the daily routine of a practice. Selecting the right handpiece is critical to helping ensure the smooth operation of everyday activities. The two primary types of handpieces—air-driven and electric—have unique characteristics with specific benefits and drawbacks. Both can achieve excellent results, therefore it is important to understand the differences and advantages of each.

Electric handpieces (with variable revolutions per minute [RPM]) are also available that give dentists added benefits when compared to their traditional air-driven counterparts. One significant difference is having a specific RPM, with constant torque and less “bur chatter” (more concentric), so that when polishing or cutting through various types of tooth structure or restorative materials, the bur does not “bog down” or slow down when performing the clinical task.In many clinical situations, an electric handpiece can perform the same functions that both an air-driven high-speed and separate low-speed unit can.

Since most clinicians still prefer individual handpieces for high and low speeds so they can be more efficient chairside, this may not make a difference when choosing between the two systems; however, the higher initial investment for electric handpieces may be a consideration for some clinicians. Also, given the ability to “dial in” the desired RPM and use different contra-angles that have different gearing ratios, the electric handpiece can be custom-tailored to perform many other types of clinical procedures such as rotary endodontics, implant placement, and third molar removal (via tooth sectioning), for example. This clinical versatility is very desirable in today’s dental practices where multidisciplinary treatments are becoming increasingly common.

Innovations come and go in dentistry, with some being more impactful than others. The introduction of the air-driven handpiece nearly 60 years ago has proven to be a revolutionary advancement that genuinely changed the way dentists prepare teeth to receive dental restorative materials. The use of air-driven “high-speed” handpieces enabled clinicians to work more expeditiously with reduced trauma to the tooth and the patient. This development presented a major improvement from the “belt-driven” handpieces that preceded them and represents one of the most significant leaps forward in the era of modern dentistry.

The dental handpiece is a vital part of clinical procedures in every dental operatory. As the scope of procedures increases, as well as the need and demand for more precision and efficiency in dentistry, advancements in handpiece technologies will continue to play a significant part in the practice of dentistry.

The Use of Blue Light in Dental Curing

In the dental field, a curing light can use ultraviolet or visible light, depending on what it is designed for. Curing lights are used primarily in the dental industry, where they are used in fillings, sealants, and adhesives for various dental procedures. Other versions of the curing light can be seen in use in manufacturing, where rapid and even curing can be an important part of the manufacturing process. A number of companies produce curing lights which have been custom designed for particular applications, ranging from electronics to dentistry.

The “blue wand” is a dental curing light. This light is used for polymerization of light-cured resin-based composites or, in other words, the white filling that we put in a tooth. There are several materials that are curable by light. These lights can be Tungsten halogen, LED, plasma, and laser. Halogen and the LED are the most popular.

In the 1960’s the first light-cured resin composite was developed. This led to the first curing light. They called it the”NUVA.” The NUVA used ultraviolet light to cure composites. It was discontinued due to lack of shortened wavelength curing into the resin. Advances were made in the 1980’s in the areas of making visible light curing.This next type of light was the halogen bulb. This light had further penetration and replaced the UV light.

Using a curing light accomplishes two things. In the first place, it makes sure that the resin cures properly and adheres evenly. When applying fillings, this is critical to keep the filling in place in the mouth. For sealants, the curing light limits the risk of cracks and other problems with the sealant. With adhesives for implants and braces, the rapid, even cure is also designed to limit problems in the future.

The dental curing light also increases patient comfort by rapidly curing resins so that the patient is not forced to sit in discomfort while the resin sets. Since the mouth usually needs to be held open wide and may be dry for the procedure, patients usually want the procedure to end as quickly as possible so that they can close their mouths and remoisturize the dried oral membranes. Using a curing light gets patients in and out of the portable folding chair quickly so that the experience of irritation and pain is limited.

The Reason for Using Dental Intraoral Camera

Dentists often find it helpful to be able to show patients exactly what is going on inside their mouths, and to highlight areas where medical attention may be needed. Patients are also less likely to defer or refuse procedures when they can clearly see the area at issue, as some people are suspicious of recommendations for dental procedures, due to concerns about cost, potential pain, or the fears about members of the dental profession.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. You made the wise decision to purchase an intraoral camera because you thought it would be a good addition to your practice. The problem is that it’s not being used, and currently there is little or no return on your investment.

Offices that use intraoral cameras allow patients to be more interactive in the exam process, which provides patients with a greater sense of understanding and responsibility about personal dental health. Although a traditional visual inspection of the teeth may have sufficed in the past, technology has made it possible for dentists and patients to reap many more benefits from each health exam.

The intraoral camera enlarges the inside of the teeth to more than 40 times their actual size on a full color screen display. By zooming in on problem areas in affecting the teeth, dentists are capable of seeing much more than they could with the human eye alone. Often, dentists find the beginnings of periodontal disease or tooth decay that would have otherwise gone undetected if examined without the intraoral camera.

Images taken by an intraoral camera can also be reviewed later, which can be useful for a dentist who feels a nagging suspicion that something is not quite right in the mouth of a patient. Previously, dentists merely attempted to write an explanation of problems found during exams. Now, dentists can accurately track the progress of treatments or problems for years following a visit.

Furthermore, patients can receive printed pictures of the conditions the dentist finds, which may be beneficial for filing insurance claims. The intraoral camera can also be used to document procedures for legal and educational reasons, and to create projections of a patient’s mouth which can be used in medical schools for the purpose of educating future dentists about various issues which pertain to oral health.

The Importance of Dental Sterilization

Packaging cleaned dental equipment prior to placing them in the sterilizer is a standard of care that protects instruments and maintains their sterility until they are ready for use on a patient. Unprotected instruments may be re-contaminated with dust and spatter or by coming into contact with any number of non-sterile surfaces during transport, storage, tray set-up, and operatory set-up.

Maintain sterilized instruments in the pouches or wrapping in which they were sterilized. If the packaging becomes torn or wet, the items must be repackaged and heat sterilized. Avoid mingling non-sterile packages with sterile ones. There should be a visible indicator, such as chemical indicators or color-change autoclave tape on the outside of each package to allow staff to easily discern sterilized instrument packages from those that have not yet been heat-processed.

Dental tools can’t be thrown away, such as dental drills, are generally put through a very intensive dental sterilization process. First they are usually vigorously scrubbed by hand. This is usually done with hot water and detergent, and it helps remove any large particles, such as plaque. They may also be placed in a vibrating tray filled with cleaning solution, which can help remove very small particles.

Sterilization by autoclave sterilizer is a necessary part of the maintenance of your dental handpiece. This process also puts your handpiece under the most stress with wear and tear. Maximum temperatures in your autoclave shouldn’t reach more than 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This can help to preserve your handpiece just a bit longer in between the need for service.

Since many germs can be transferred simply by touching contaminated surfaces, dentists and dental assistants are typically very fastidious about disinfecting the surfaces in their offices and treatment rooms. Solid surfaces, such as counters and sinks, are generally wiped down with antibacterial spray. Dental chairs are also usually covered with disposable paper covers that are discarded after each patient. Dentists and their assistants also usually wear protective barriers, such as gloves and face masks, to help prevent spreading germs to their patients.

Importance of Oral Hygiene For Us

“Good oral health is essential to total health and the key to a happy and productive life,” says Gerry Cool, president of the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA). It is essential that you keep up good oral hygiene that keeps your mouth feeling, looking and smelling healthy. Good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist are key to maintaining the condition of your teeth and you can get professional help with micro motor if needed.

Making sure the brush you use is in good condition. Brush you gums and teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste. Floss between the teeth to remove stubborn debris A toothpaste containing Triclosan with Copolymer or Triclosan with Zinc Citrate may provide added protection for the gums.

Teeth cleaning or teeth brushing is the elimination of unwanted tartar and dental plaque from teeth to prevent gum disease such as gingivitis and cavities. One-third of tooth loss by adult is due to severe gum diseases and even though how good our teeth are, it is useless if we are suffering from gum problems. You can also try to use teeth whitening machine.

Dental professionals recommended that our teeth must be cleaned (by dental hygienist) at least every 6 months. This cleaning includes tooth polishing and tooth scaling, while debridement is necessary if too much tartar has built up then fluoride treatment follows. To prevent tartar accumulation, good oral hygiene is very important between cleanings. We can do this by brushing our teeth frequently as well as using dental floss to prevent build-up of plaque on the teeth.

Gum disease is a nasty condition that can lead to oral complications and serious health risks if left untreated. But many people don’t recognise the symptoms. Visiting your dentist every 6 months where your oral hygiene can be assessed. To ensure your smile stays bright and healthy, how it is treated and how to prevent it ever happening to you. Consider this your need-to-know mini guide.

What are the Dental Emergencies

With your dental health, as well as with your physical health, accidents and sudden aches and pains happen. When trauma to your teeth, gums, jaw or face occur or if sudden, severe or persistent pain is present, you should see your dentist right away.

If your tooth gets knocked out, it is important to find the tooth and go to the dentist immediately. If you wait too long for a dentist to put your tooth back it, it will die and will need to be replaced by an implant and crown. It is estimated that you have an hour-long window to reinsert your tooth before it is lost and unusable. If you lose a tooth, gently wash it off with cold water and try to reposition it back in your mouth, gently biting down to hold it in place. If you’re not able to place it in your mouth, place the tooth in some milk. Don’t set it in water.

Braces are a common orthodontic dental alignment treatment commonly found in teens and some adults. Braces have metal wires and brackets that can become lose and brake. A broken metal wire is sharp and can cause injury to the inside of the cheeks, gums and the tongue. The broken part of the braces will need to be promptly removed and replaced by a dentist or orthodontist to prevent further damage and irritation. Before going to the dentist or orthodontist, cushion the edge of the broken piece to avoid additional injury to the mouth.

Sports, accidents, falls and biting hard objects all have the potential to crack, fracture and break teeth. Broken teeth are the most common dental emergencies. Fortunately, a broken tooth can be easily fixed by a dentist using dental bond. If you brake a tooth, locate the pieces and carefully clean them as well as the tooth. If the tooth was broken due to impact or trauma to the mouth, nose or face, apply a cold compress on the area to reduce the swelling( dental equipment).

Sometimes the bonding that fills in cavities can become lose and get dislodged, causing the tooth to become exposed to pressure, air, cold and heat. This exposed part of the tooth will be extremely sensitive so pain is often accompanied when a filling is lost. Similarly, if a tooth is covered by a crown, it becomes sensitive. To maintain the stability and integrity of the tooth, it is important that you see the dentist as soon as possible. If you find the crown, rinse it off and bring it with you.

Dental emergencies are very common. An underlying infection may be present or the damage due to the accident can cause further damage if not promptly treated. A dental emergency is one in which the patient’s tooth or teeth are at risk of being lost, there is much bleeding and/or there is severe, inhibiting pain.

The Importance of Choosing Good Quality Dental Compressor

When you’re using a poor-quality dental air compressor system that delivers either dirty air or an air compressor that delivers air at a lower pressure than required, you’ll see low-quality or even no operation of these devices. If air pressure is good, but the air itself is unclean, then you’re risking internal damage to those units, reducing their overall lifespan.

The biggest concern is moist air that can harm delicate internal machinery and quickly make your tools unusable. Moisture can lead to corrosion, microorganism contamination and decrease the precision of your tools. For those who select a low-quality air compressor, a common issue is carbon buildup that poses an even greater danger to the machinery in handpieces.

Electric dental handpieces also tend to have a greater cost and a higher number of parts that you’ll need to maintain, while air-driven pieces can be obtained in full, often for less than $1,000. Air-driven handpieces also tend to be lighter and easier to handle, with the latest innovations providing greater torque so you can use them for many applications over a longer period of time.

Oil-lubricated air compressors tend to be quieter and can last longer than other models, making them seem like a top choice for a dental office, but that may not be the case.

The main reason many dentists choose an oil-free compressor is because they have a lower risk of contaminating the compressed air with lubricant. These units also tend to be lighter, allowing them to be placed in a wider range of areas, while still creating as much air flow and pressure as many oil-lubricated models.

Removing the risk of contaminating the air is the biggest win and makes the most sense because it can protect the health and safety of your patients, staff and those in your office waiting areas. While you will need to perform maintenance slightly more often, the health and safety concerns significantly outweigh any benefit you’d see from using the heavier, lubricated models.