As a dental professional, your handpiece is one of your single most important tools of the trade. You’d like to keep this trusted instrument performing good-as-new for as long as possible.
Unfortunately, handpiece maintenance isn’t always as simple as the sales brochure makes it out to be. Keeping a handpiece in top shape requires that you follow a strict regimen of cleaning and lubrication. That’s a lot to ask of anyone in a fast-paced, fully-booked dental practice.
Wish there was a way to extend the life of your favourite handpiece and spend less time on maintenance? It could be easier than you think, if you choose your maintenance supplies wisely.
Why Your Handpiece Lubricant Makes a Difference
As you know, cleaning and lubrication are the cornerstones of basic handpiece maintenance.
Handpieces must be cleaned after each use (even between sterilizations) to avoid cross-contamination, and daily lubrication is necessary to keep the turbine, air motor, shank and head in good working order.
It is important to follow cleaning with lubrication, as the abrasives found in handpiece cleaners can get into the mechanisms of the handpiece.
Today, many clinics use automatic handpiece maintenance systems to lubricate multiple handpieces simultaneously. However, lubricating a handpiece manually is relatively simple:
Disassemble the handpiece and remove the burr so you can reach its internal components.
Inject lubricant into the air drive port so that it reaches the turbine.
Lubricate both ends of the contra-angle, or remove the cylinder from the prophy angle and lubricate both ends.
Re-assemble the handpiece and operate, head down, for 10-30 seconds (depending on the manufacturer’s instructions) without a burr to purge excess lubricant.
Wipe any excess lubricant remaining on the handpiece using a dry gauze pad or paper towel.
10 Tips to Extend the Life of Any Dental Handpiece
Proper lubrication is essential to getting the most life and the best possible performance from any dental handpiece.
Here are a few pointers on choosing a handpiece lubricant that can help you minimize downtime, reduce the frequency of repairs and avoid unnecessary costs while extending your tool’s lifespan.
Lubricate the Handpiece Chuck Separately
The handpiece chuck generally requires separate care and a direct dose of lubricant.
Lubricate Before Sterilization, Not After
A high-quality handpiece lubricant like Sable EZ Lube will not break down in autoclaving temperature or otherwise be affected by the sterilization process. Lubrication prior to autoclaving has also been shown to increase the longevity of air-turbine handpiece bearings.
Avoid Overlubricating Low-Speed Handpieces
Applying too much lubricant to a low-speed motor can saturate it and cause it to become sluggish.
Use a Product That Cleans And Lubricants At Once
This saves you valuable time when it comes to preparing your handpiece for sterilization. We’ve developed Sable EZ Lube to remove dirt and stains from handpiece surfaces while it lubricates.
Don’t Lubricate ‘Lube-Free’ Turbine Bearings
Certain Kavo and Star Dental handpiece turbines are not designed for direct lubrication.
Use a Food-Grade Handpiece Lubricant
We know that a handpiece can discharge lubricant in the direction of the bur for some 40 minutes after lubrication. Using a food-grade synthetic lubricant will ensure that this will not affect your patients.
Never Use Any Non-Dental Lubricant For Your Handpiece
Safety comes first! Non-dental lubricants may not be safe for your patients or good for your handpiece. Sable EZ Lube was developed in conjunction with Aerospace Lubricants Inc. specifically for dental handpieces.
Always Follow the Handpiece Manufacturer’s Instructions
Maintenance standards can vary between different manufacturers, and in different models from the same manufacturer.
Use The Adapter That Corresponds Your Coupling System
This will ensure that you deliver the right amount of lubricant to the deepest recesses of your handpiece. Our Sable EZ Lube comes in 500ml aerosol cans with nozzles available for most handpieces, including contras, straights, heads and low-speed motors.
Don’t Skimp on the Lubricant!
Your handpiece can’t function properly without proper lubrication! If cost is a concern, there are affordable handpiece lubricants on the market. Sable EZ Lube is affordably priced, with cost savings of 20-30% over other top lubricant brands.
Have any questions about our handpiece lubricants? Get in touch with us and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!