Skip to content
Off the Cusp

Off the Cusp

Dental industry news, trends and information from Patterson Dental.

Menu
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Business of Dentistry
      • Dental Practice Marketing
      • Practice Finance
      • Practice Growth
    • Dental Industry News
      • Industry Events
    • Dental Practice Management
      • Human Resources
    • Dental Practice Safety
      • Infection Control
    • Future of Dentistry
      • Dental Equipment
      • Dental Technology
      • CAD/CAM
  • About
    • Off The Cusp Privacy Policy
    • Off The Cusp Terms of Use
  • pattersondental.com
  • Home
  • Dental Products
  • How to Choose the Right Handpiece
Dental Products Handpieces

How to Choose the Right Handpiece

Patterson DentalPatterson Dental Patterson DentalJuly 28, 2023July 28, 2023

Share

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Email
Read Time:2 Minute, 42 Second

A good handpiece is practically an extension of a dentist’s hand, and there is no piece of dental equipment used as often as handpieces. The quality of the work a dentist can produce depends, in large part, on the quality and capability of the handpiece they use.

If you’re in the market for a new handpiece, how do you decide which one is right for you? The following tips may help.

  • Know the difference. Electric handpieces are precise in measurement in terms of their manufacture, and if they’re not paired with the exact equipment they were designed to work with, they can quickly overheat. They tend to provide a more consistent sensation, which patients prefer, and they’re quieter than air-driven handpieces. On the other hand, handpieces that are powered by compressed air provide greater torque and speed and they’re lightweight. However, their speed can vary when they meet with resistance.
  • Get experience. You may prefer one type of handpiece (electric or air-driven) over the other kind, but it is best to have experience using both. You don’t know when you might be in the position of having only your non-preferred type at hand. And being a well-rounded practitioner adept in using both electric and air-driven high-speed handpieces is a useful skill to have.
  • Understand the speeds. High-speed handpieces won’t last as long as low-speed handpieces because they work much harder, but they are must-haves for precision-sensitive procedures such as occlusal adjustments to restorations. Low-speed handpieces are great for preventive procedures, including prophylaxis, and for removing decayed tissue close to the pulp.
  • Get it lit. Adequate lighting during instrumentation improves visibility. LED light is cooler than traditional halogen lighting and lasts longer, so verify that a handpiece has LED lighting before you purchase it.
  • Choose the right size. Be mindful of size; if a handpiece has a head that’s too large, you may struggle to make precise and minute adjustments to restorations or to work in the mouths of patients with limited opening. Choose handpieces with heads that are perfectly sized for the task at hand.
  • Select a reputable vendor. Whichever dental handpiece motor you choose, purchase it from a reputable vendor that offers reliable support.
  • Maintain the equipment. Things like overheating and sterilization will damage a handpiece over time. To get the most out of your handpieces, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining them and have them repaired by a professional right away if something goes wrong.
  • Keep it sterilized. One of the most important things to determine when purchasing a handpiece is whether it can be properly sterilized. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “if a dental handpiece cannot be heat sterilized and does not have [Food and Drug Administration] clearance with validated instructions for reprocessing, [dental healthcare providers] should not use that device.”
  • Make the investment. It can be tempting to focus on the cost of equipment and search for the least expensive solution when shopping for handpieces. A high-quality handpiece is worth investing in because you’ll get many years of reliable use out of it, and you’ll save money on repair costs.
Patterson DentalPatterson Dental

About Post Author

Patterson Dental

At Patterson Dental, we are committed to partnering with dental practices of all sizes to help oral health professionals practice extraordinary dentistry. We do this by living up to our promise of Trusted Expertise, Unrivaled Support every day.
https://www.pattersondental.com/
Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0

Post navigation

Previous

Previous post:

Announcing New and Improved Patterson® Brand Products, Plus New SKUs

Next

Next post:

Young Dentist Duo Front-Load Their Lives with a Dream Practice

Subscribe

* indicates required

Recent posts

  • 7 Myths About Practice Financing Debunked
  • Celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month
  • Gear Up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Patterson Pink Products
  • Eaglesoft 22 is Now Available!
  • Dental Waterline Safety and Infection Control

Search Off the Cusp

Close
Menu
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Business of Dentistry
      • Dental Practice Marketing
      • Practice Finance
      • Practice Growth
    • Dental Industry News
      • Industry Events
    • Dental Practice Management
      • Human Resources
    • Dental Practice Safety
      • Infection Control
    • Future of Dentistry
      • Dental Equipment
      • Dental Technology
      • CAD/CAM
  • About
    • Off The Cusp Privacy Policy
    • Off The Cusp Terms of Use
  • pattersondental.com

Related Post

Gear Up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Patterson Pink Products

September 25, 2023September 25, 2023

The GC FujiCEM Evolve – Simple & Strong

August 29, 2023August 29, 2023

Announcing New and Improved Patterson® Brand Products, Plus New SKUs

July 7, 2023July 7, 2023

KATANA Zirconia ONE: Beauty Meets Efficiency

June 30, 2023June 30, 2023

Omnichroma, Omnichroma Flow, Omnichroma Blocker Flow: When and Why I Use Them in Direct Posterior Composite Restorations

January 31, 2023January 31, 2023

Tissue management: The nexus for crown and bridge procedure

August 11, 2022August 11, 2022
Copyright Patterson Dental. All rights reserved.