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High speed dental handpieces are highly versatile instruments used in a wide range of procedures across all branches of dentistry. They are, without a doubt, one of the single most important tools in a practitioner's proverbial toolkit.
As a dental professional, it is essential that you understand the different types and functions of various high speed handpieces.
So we’ve prepared an introductory guide to everything you need to know about high speed handpieces: what they are, how they work, how fast they spin, and more.
A dental handpiece, or dental drill, uses a rotating bur to precisely remove tissue in the mouth. ‘High speed’ describes any handpiece that runs at speeds of between 300,000 and 450,000 RPM.
Most high speed handpieces are powered by air, but electric high speeds are also available. About 76% of dentists use air turbine handpieces, 16% use electric, and 8% use both. This article will focus on air driven high speeds.
All high speed handpieces have two main parts: the body or shell and the turbine. High quality handpieces have a stainless steel or titanium body.
Lower-quality handpieces are made of brass, which is lighter and cheaper to manufacture. Brass is weaker, more susceptible to wear, and unable to withstand repeated sterilization cycles than stainless steel or titanium.
Dental high speed handpieces come in a variety of designs, but all run between 300,000 and 450,000 rotations per minute. Different models can be distinguished by its attachment type, head size, light source, weight, and motor noise.
Most high speed handpieces are air driven. Air flow is activated by a chair unit foot control, moving up the airline attached to the back end of the handpiece, and into the handpiece head where it is forced over the turbine's impeller. This rotates the cutting bur.
Exhaust air is then expelled through the handpiece's back end.
Note that a handpiece's maximum speed is not related to its power or torque; a handpiece with a larger head and a larger turbine operates at a slower speed, but delivers greater torque and power than a handpiece with a smaller head.
Because the bur rotates so fast, high-speed handpieces generate a lot of heat. To counter this heat, high speed handpieces feature cooling water sprays. However, the water spray also makes it harder to see; so many high speed handpieces feature fiber optics to improve visibility.
High speed handpieces remove tooth tissue precisely and easily, making them ideal for a wide range of applications.
These instruments are commonly used to remove enamel, dentin, and filling materials efficiently, and polish restorations effectively.
Slow speed handpieces are precision tools with an important clinical purpose, just as their high speed counterparts. But in contrast to high speeds, slow speed handpieces perform heavier duties at slower speeds.
Slow speed handpieces run between 5,000 and 40,000 RPM and are used to remove cavities and prepare teeth for restorative work, along with other orthodontic procedures.
High speed handpieces, on the other hand, run between 300,000 and 450,000 RPM and are used to cut tooth enamel, dentin, and filling materials.
To learn more, check out our article on the differences between high speed and slow speed handpieces.
High speed handpieces operate at speeds between 300,000 and 450,000 RPM.
The turbine's speed varies depending on air pressure and the diameter and configuration of its components (bearings, impeller, etc.)
For example, at 40.5 PSI, an average sized turbine (such as the Sable Access Pro-KL) should spin at approximately 350,000 RPM.
High speed handpieces differ in their cutting speed (or Active Speed) and rotational speed (or Free Speed). There is usually a 30% difference between the slower cutting speed and the faster rotating speed.
High speed handpieces contain many components with various lifespans. In a high quality handpiece, each of these individual components is designed to be easily replaced to extend the life of the handpiece.
According to one recent study, a typical high speed handpiece will last approximately 500 sterilizations, or one year of clinical use, before it requires some repair work.
It is important to use only high quality replacement parts when repairing your handpiece. In a perfect world, all parts would be high-quality. Unfortunately this is not the case, which is why you need to do your research before making any purchase.
Replacement parts are not always the same quality as the original parts. It is important to know that some replacement parts are inferior in quality and can cause you to replace them sooner than they should be replaced.
Because dental handpieces are not cheap, you will want to extend their life as much as possible. Having a consistent dental handpiece maintenance program is a surefire way to make sure these instruments perform at their best.
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to maintain your high speed handpiece, but it does require diligence and effort.
You could write entire books about all the ins and outs of high speed handpiece maintenance, but there are a few key points that apply to virtually every one:
Handpieces are used so frequently that their accuracy and efficiency have a great impact on practice overhead. A malfunctioning, worn, or outdated handpiece can negatively impact production, efficiency, and accuracy of procedures. Learn more about keeping your high speed running smoothly in our 10-point checklist for dental handpiece maintenance.
Not all high speed dental handpieces are created equal so there are some things you should consider before making a purchase. Using these tips, you can choose reliable products that won't fail you (or your patients):
If the above fundamentals aren’t there, then it’s buyer beware! Keep these in mind and make an honest appraisal of what types of procedures you actually perform in your practice before investing in any new high speed handpiece.
Today’s dentists have access to a wider array of efficient, easy-to-use, and precise handpieces than ever before! If you’d like to learn more, our team is always happy to answer any questions you may have about our high speed handpieces. Contact us now and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
