In the realm of dental care, the key to precise and effective treatment lies not just in skilled hands but also in well-maintained equipment. Among the vital tools in a dentist’s arsenal, dental handpieces stand out as indispensable devices for various procedures, necessitating meticulous care to ensure their longevity and optimal functionality.
Dental handpieces, the cornerstone of intricate procedures in dentistry, are pivotal in shaping a patient's experience and treatment outcome. These precision instruments, akin to high-performance machinery, require routine and specialized maintenance to uphold their efficiency and reliability.
"Maintaining dental handpieces is crucial for ensuring consistent performance and extending their lifespan," states Dr. Elena Ramirez, a seasoned dental practitioner with years of experience. "Regular maintenance not only safeguards the investment but also guarantees that these instruments operate seamlessly, enabling precise and comfortable treatments for patients."
1. Refuel (dental handpiece lubricant)
The mobile phone needs to be refueled before pressure steam sterilization. Because in a high temperature environment, if there is no lubricating oil protection, it will cause damage to the bearings and other precision components of the mobile phone. The disinfected phone needs to be kept dry to avoid rust. Nowadays, we commonly use four-hole mobile phones. When refueling, add it into the second large hole. You don’t need too much, 2 to 3 drops are enough. After adding oil, use the air from the three-purpose spray gun to blow at the refueling hole, not too close.
2. Use of mobile phone cleaning lubricant
Mobile phone lubricants and cleaning agents are not the same thing, so don’t confuse them. Although they all look oily, the effects are different. Lubricating oil is used to lubricate the bearings of the mobile phone, while cleaning lubricant plays a cleaning role. After using a mobile phone for caries removal or tooth preparation, a large amount of tooth debris will get into the collet of the mobile phone or around the bearing. If these tooth debris cannot be cleaned up, confidential components such as bearings will be damaged when the mobile phone is running at high speed. Cause great damage. Therefore, after the above operations, mobile phone cleaning lubricant should be used promptly.
3. Do not use inferior quality needles
Inferior bur needle handles are often irregular and uneven in thickness. Long-term use of low-quality car needles will cause great damage to the collet of the mobile phone, and may even cause it to be scrapped. When you encounter that the mobile phone cannot hold the bur during clinical use, you should be careful. This is likely to be a low-quality bur. In addition, the bur needle is a consumable item. When it is found that it cannot effectively cut the dental tissue, it should be replaced in time instead of adding force to the handpiece. Otherwise, the bur needle will be deformed, damage the handpiece bearings, and even cause the handpiece collet to be scrapped. .
4. How to load and unload the needle
At present, we mostly use push-type handpieces, which have high requirements for burring needles, and international standard burring needles must be used;
When pressing the needle, you can use a little more force, and then push the needle until it cannot go in. The operation is similar when removing it.
5. Dental handpieces are also afraid of falling.
Just like mobile phones, the dental handpiece industry is very delicate and cannot be dropped or touched. When the phone is not in use, try to put the empty needle that comes with it. This empty needle is delivered when the phone leaves the factory, so be sure not to throw it away.
6. About the driving force of mobile phones - Qi
Nowadays, most dental handpieces have centralized air supply. Maintenance of the air source mainly involves frequent sewage treatment, once or twice a week. The air compressed by the compressor must also be strictly filtered, because when the mobile phone is running at high speed, any tiny impurities will cause great damage to the mobile phone.
7. About air pressure
Generally, during normal use of high-speed mobile phones, the pressure can be adjusted to about 0.20~0.22 MPa. For dental handpieces of European and American brands (KaVo, W&H, Sirona...), the inlet pressure can be kept at about 0.28 MPa, and try not to exceed 0.32 MPa. Excessive pressure will also damage the bearings of the handpiece. If the dental tissue cannot be effectively cut under normal pressure conditions, do not increase the pressure. It is recommended to replace the bur needle in time. The pressure when using a low-speed mobile phone is generally adjusted to about 0.3 MPa.
The correct use and maintenance of dental handpieces can greatly reduce the failure rate of the handpiece, improve doctors' work efficiency, extend the service life of the handpiece, and reduce maintenance costs. It is of great significance to clinical applications and department development. I hope this article can help everyone better use and maintain dental handpieces.
As dental technology continues to evolve, innovative advancements in handpiece design and functionality are anticipated. These advancements aim not only to enhance precision and efficiency but also to streamline maintenance processes, ensuring sustained performance and durability.
In conclusion, the meticulous care and maintenance of dental handpieces stand as an integral aspect of delivering exceptional dental care. Upholding a proactive approach towards their upkeep not only optimizes performance but also underscores a commitment to patient safety and treatment efficacy. As these instruments remain steadfast companions in the dentist's pursuit of precision, their maintenance remains an enduring priority in the realm of modern dentistry.
