The dental handpiece is one of the most important pieces of equipment in a dental practice. From everyday tasks to small adjustments, it can be used as an instrument for accuracy and efficiency. The dental handpiece evolves with advances in technology.
Types of Dental Handpieces
Dental handpieces are of 2 types based on their speed:
- High-Speed Handpieces: Capable of rotating up to 400,000 rpm and are attached to alloy bits known as burrs.
- Low-Speed Handpieces: Capable of rotating up to 80,000 rpm and are operated by a built-in motor.
Dental handpieces are then subdivided into 2 other categories:
- Electric Handpieces: Have an electric motor inside the handpiece and the entire system is contained inside it.
- Air-Powered Handpieces: Have air-driven turbines inside the handpiece that causes the handpiece head to rotate.
Comparison Between Electric and Air-Powered Dental Handpieces
Dentists choose suitable handpieces for their practice based on the dental procedures they offer patients and their preferences when it comes to their comfort and use. Here is a brief comparison of the two types of dental handpieces.
- Sound: Air-powered dental handpieces are generally noisier since they produce a high-pitched sound when in use. Electric dental handpieces, on the other hand, are known to be quieter and are sometimes more preferred due to this trait.
- Speed Consistency: Electric dental handpieces are preferred by some dentists since their speed is more consistent compared to air-powered handpieces.
- Price: Electric dental handpieces are considerably more expensive than air-powered handpieces as they have their own system that’s separate from the rest of the dental equipment.
Uses of a Dental Handpiece
A dental handpiece is not just used for cleaning teeth; it does many other things, which include:
- Removing the buildup of plaque and tartar on the surface of teeth
- Removing the damaged parts of a tooth to eliminate tooth decay
- Preparing the tooth for various dental procedures, such as crown replacement and fillings
- Shaping the tooth in preparation for root canal treatment
- Different burrs can be attached to its head to cut, clean, and polish teeth.
Parts of a Dental Handpiece
Dental handpieces have many different parts and components. Here are some of the main and most important parts of a dental handpiece:
- Rotor: This is the main rotating part that connects the outer shaft to which different dental burrs are attached.
- Bearing: This helps reduce friction and prevents shafts from touching the walls of the casing and allows them to rotate without any interruptions. Two types of bearings are used: angular contact ball bearings and deep groove ball bearings.
- LED and Xenon Bulbs: Modern handpieces usually come with a light source attached at the top to see inside the mouth properly.
- Dental Hose: This is the tubing that’s connected to the main dental unit for air, water spray, and electricity to power the LED or Xenon bulbs.
- Back Cap: This is a component that seals the back of the dental handpiece. It is a rather small-looking component that’s typically found in air-powered handpieces.
- Carbon Brush: This transmits an electrical current from a static part to a rotating part. Micromotors inside electrical handpieces have carbon brushes, but newer varieties of micromotors are completely brushless.
- Chuck: This is the component that holds dental burrs for the purpose of drilling and grinding.
Now that you know what a dental handpiece is and its main parts, it is now time to choose the most suitable one for your needs. At Dental Equipment Services, we have a wide range of dental handpieces in our online catalogue, so that you can find one that perfectly suits your budget and needs.
For all your dental handpieces and any other dental supply requirements, please call us today on 1300 144 975 or leave an enquiry.