5 Things To Consider When Buying A Handpiece
Dental handpieces are among the most important tools that a dentist uses on a day-to-day basis.
Here are some of the elements that you should give thought to if you’re looking for a first-class product that suits your clinical needs and preferences.
Air driven vs electric handpieces
Handpieces are powered one of two ways – by air or electricity. Which one you choose will determine speed and usability, as they both offer something very different.
Air-driven handpieces, for instance, tend to have a higher speed with a lower torque. They are lighter, easier to handle and smaller in head height than those using electric motors and, as such, are a popular option.
Speed-increasing handpieces using electric motors, although often heavier and slower, make both the speed and torque easier to control thanks to a promised consistency that does not decrease with resistance or an increased load. It’s also important to note that electric motors are considerably quieter with less vibratory output.
Speed-increasing handpieces, like the Synea Fusion from W&H, offers a wealth of features that make it reliable, efficient, and easy-to-use.
The W&H speed-increasing handpiece is used in conjunction with an electric motor, allowing it to run at maximum speeds of 200,000 rpm whilst offering impressive torque, control and precision. Due to the maximum speeds being lower, aerosol creation is reduced.
Light source
Handpiece illumination continues to improve beyond recognition with the advent of enhanced LED. The colour rendering index (CRI) is an important aspect of artificial illumination, with a perfect colour rendition having an index value of 100.
Therefore, you need to be looking for a handpiece that offers a CRI of over 90 which will give you the rich colour contrasts necessary for a life like view. Choose carefully as there are many different offerings giving varying levels of enhanced visibility and reduction of eye stress.
Select an LED which offers daylight grade illumination as it is kinder on your eyes, gives improved visibility, better colour definition and reduced heat such as the W&H LED+ handpieces.
If you are looking for a turbine that offers shadow free illumination, the ideal solution is a handpiece that has a ring of LED lights integrated into the instrument head, such as the Synea Vision range from W&H, as this ensures a wide area of illumination with no shadowing or obstruction.
Sterilisation and maintenance
Be aware that purchasing a handpiece that ticks all the clinical boxes is a must, but if it can’t endure ongoing rigorous sterilisation, then it will not prove to be a good investment long-term.
Decontamination is an essential part of daily practice, with every instrument reprocessed multiple times a day, sometimes six days a week. Ultimately, only a quality-made handpiece that has been designed with sterilisation in mind will be able to withstand such a demanding routine without compromising on functionality or performance.
Equally important is choosing a handpiece that can be easily maintained, particularly in regard to oiling, as lubrication is essential for longevity and performance. For consistent handpiece cleaning and lubrication, it is well worth looking at a handpiece maintenance system such as the Assistina One or Assistina Twin from W&H.
Only purchase handpieces that adhere to all current regulations for health and safety and other guidance including regarding thermo-washer disinfection and sterilisation so that you make sure that you have future proofed your investment.
After care
Be sure to check what level of aftercare service would be available to you should you purchase a particular handpiece, otherwise you might find yourself out of pocket.
Choosing a manufacturer that offers comprehensive aftercare will ensure you have access to technical support from qualified professionals, regular servicing, an attractive warranty, and a quality repair service that uses authentic replacement parts.
To prolong the useful life of your handpieces and to protect both the patient and the team from the risk of cross contamination, it is important that the dental team follow a strict infection control regime.
When selecting your handpiece, it is worth identifying whether the manufacturer can meet all your needs, whether they are able to offer a full range of products, local service support, care and maintenance training and the appropriate solutions for decontamination. You should be given guidance on the products available to assist you in looking after your handpieces, such as automatic handpiece care systems like the Assistina which provides a fast, consistent and effective cleaning and lubrication procedure.
Branded versus non-branded products
Good quality handpieces, made by highly respected manufacturers, are easy to recognise and should be supplied with at least a one-year warranty as standard. It has been proven over many years that the higher the quality of the handpiece, the superior the performance over longer periods of time.
It is therefore worth investing wisely and looking after your investment. If the handpiece or manufacturer chosen does not meet the above criteria, then it is not likely to offer long-term value for money.
Look for the added benefits of purchasing a respected brand such as the W&H Synea Fusion range of high quality straight and contra-angle handpieces, offering exceptional ergonomics and reliability enabling you to maintain an efficient workflow. For your benefit, W&H turbines have hygienic head anti-retraction systems to prevent cross contamination.
Remember, you get what you pay for, so it is always worthwhile making a sound investment and purchasing a well-established, well-supported brand known for quality and reliability.
So, why choose W&H?
W&H’s exceptional reputation for providing an unrivalled aftercare service alongside high quality products, is based on its many years of experience in the market, making it a great choice.
There’s no doubt that selecting a dental handpiece can be a painstaking task. However, by sourcing top-class solutions from a trusted manufacturer, you are sure to find ‘the one’ that ticks all the boxes and meets your expectations now and in the future.
