“Improving Patient Care Through Research & Education”

Electric Handpieces
Benefits of Electric Handpiece Systems
Constant Speed and Torque
An air-driven handpiece rotates at 300,000 to 350,000 rpm; however, when placed under load,
the handpiece actually cuts at 180,000 to 200,000 rpm. An electric handpiece maintains a
constant speed of 200,000 rpm. The constant torque of an electric handpiece eliminates the
stalling or reduced speeds experienced when using an air-driven handpiece to cut through
crowns or other dense materials.

Concentric Cutting
This month’s feature of
The constant torque produces a concentric cutting motion as speed is maintained. The feather
motion needed when using an air-driven handpiece results in varying degrees of irregularities
THE DENTAL ADVISOR is
at the margin of a preparation. The gears of the electric handpiece hold the bur in a locked
taken from the March 2005
position to prevent the wobble or vibration of the bur that is often experienced when using
issue, Vol. 22, No. 2. an air-driven handpiece. Constant torque and stabilization of the bur allow a concentric
motion that ultimately produces a smooth, even margin.
THE DENTAL ADVISOR
evaluates and rates dental Reduced Noise
products and equipment While no handpiece is truly quiet, the electric handpiece produces a much quieter noise than
by objective clinical and the high-pitch sound of the air-driven systems.
laboratory protocols.
The publication consists
Motor Speed Motor Speed w/
of clinical evaluations, Product Company Range, rpm Attachment, rpm
comprehensive long-term Apex Lares Research 60-40,000 770-200,000
evaluations, product EA-40LT A-dec/W&H 2,000-40,000 150-200,000
comparisons and specialty EA-50LT A-dec/W&H 300-40,000 3-200,000
reports. To subscribe, ELECTROtorque KaVo 2,000-40,000 27-200,000
please call 734-665-2020. ELECTROtorque plus 701KL KaVo 2,000-40,000 27-200,000
Midwest eStylus DENTSPLY Professional/Midwest 1,500-40,000 150-200,000
EDITORS
Optima MX Bien Air 100-40,000 100-200,000
John W. Farah, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Optima Plus T&R Bien Air 20-40,000 20-200,000
John M. Powers, Ph.D.
SIROTORQUE L EL-1 Sirona Dental Systems 2,000-40,000 87-200,000

EMAIL SIROTORQUE L SL Sirona Dental Systems 2,000-40,000 87-200,000

info@dentaladvisor.com TiMax NL 400 Brasseler USA/NSK 2,000-40,000 2,000-200,000

Titan E-lectric Motor System DentalEZ Group/StarDental 1,000-40,000 62.5-200,000
WEB SITE *E = external, I = internal, TT = tabletop na = not available
www.dentaladvisor.com **Internally available only in the C Series Treatment Center ce = currently evaluating
***Motor replacement cost
 Turbine-free Attachments Recent Improvements
Failure of the turbine is the leading cause of malfunction in Brushless Motors
an air-driven handpiece. Electric handpiece attachments Early electric motors utilized small brushes in the gear
utilize gears rather than turbines. The use of gears allows the systems. Over time, the carbon brushes wore against the
handpiece to maintain constant torque and more concentric rotors and required replacement. Many of the new motors
cutting. While most attachments have two gears, some are brushless, reducing the need for routine maintenance.
provide three gears to better distribute the load. This feature
reduces the wear on the bearings, resulting in less failure Shorter, Lighter-weight Motors
over time. The greatest complaint of clinicians converting to the first
electric handpiece systems was the increased weight as
One Motor/Several Attachments compared to air-driven handpieces. Manufacturers have
One motor is used for high-speed and slow-speed significantly reduced the length and weight of the motor and
attachments with an operating range of 70-200,000 rpm. A improved the balance between the motor and attachments.
large variety of attachments are available for high-speed,
slow-speed, endodontic and implant placement procedures. Fewer Attachments
A wide speed range allows all procedures to be performed
Manual Control of Operating Speed using the same electric motor. The first systems required
The motor speed is easily adjusted to provide precise control several different costly attachments requiring the clinician to
of the rotation of the bur for a specific procedure. Most current change between steps.
systems offer a digital display of the current operating speed.
continued on page 510

THE DENTAL ADVISOR Recommends: Other Featured Products

ELECTROtorque plus 701KL (97%) , ELECTROtorque (96%) ,
Optima Plus T+R (94%) , Midwest eStylus (92%) , Titan E-lectric Motor System (92%)
92%

92%

Optima MX
(Bien Air)

Midwest eStylus Titan E-lectric Motor System

(DENTSPLY Professional/Midwest) (DentalEZ Group/StarDental)

Installation Motor
Options* Weight/Length Auto Reverse Brushless Motor Cost Handpiece Cost Rating

E 100 g/94.3 mm Yes Yes $859 200LS-$899, 40LS-$749, 10LS-$779 na

TT, A-dec Cascade-I 79 g/47 mm No Yes $2,700 $1,175 na
A-dec 500-I 79 g/47 mm No Yes $2,800 $1,250 na
E 94 g/46 mm No No $1,795 25LPA-$1,540, 25LHA-$1,220 96%
E, I – KaVo operatory only 99 g/46 mm No Yes $2,905 25LPA-$1,540, 25LHA-$1,220 97%
E, TT 98 g/51 mm Yes, w/torque limiting No $2,458 HS-$1,295, LS-$1,062 92%
E, I 116 g/66 mm Yes, w/torque Yes $2,950 $1,154 ce
E, I 102 g/64 mm Yes, w/torque No E-$2,100, I-$2,600 $1,154 94%
E, I, Retrofit** 100 g/98 mm Yes No $1,333*** $551.50 – $1,499 ce
E, I, Retrofit** 60 g/87 mm Yes No $1,007*** $664.25 – $1,499 ce
E 76 g/147.3 mm No Yes $1,795 $400 – $1,050 na
E, I, TT 106 g/69 mm No No $1,395 $825 92%

EDITORS’ NOTES: Only products evaluated by THE DENTAL ADVISOR are eligible for listing as a recommended product. Table information provided by manufacturer.
Costs are listed for comparison only and are not used to calculate the ratings; all costs shown in U.S. dollars.
Electric Handpieces continued
Manufacturers have designed attachments that can be used Auto-reverse
for several different applications with control of the speed As with all rotary endodontic systems, there is a risk of
at the conversion box or on the delivery system. separating files. Some of the new electric handpiece systems
have specific endodontic attachments that automatically
Reduction in Height and/or Angle of the Attachment reverse when the file engages.
Intraoral attachments for the first electric systems had large
heads and steep angles, which became a challenge in areas Handpiece Maintenance Systems
of limited access. New attachments have been designed to
Daily maintenance remains essential, prolonging the life of
provide easier access. Some manufacturers have reduced
any handpiece and optimal function. Using the proper
the size of the head, while others have reduced the distance
type of cleaner/lubricant and purging the attachment
from the tip of the bur to the top of the handpiece head.
before sterilization are very important. Automatic handpiece
The angle of the attachment has also been reduced to
maintenance systems (QuattroCare/KaVo ; Assistina 301
improve access.
Plus/A-dec/W&H) provide a quick and efficient way to
extend the life of a handpiece by ensuring the proper type
Integration into Delivery Systems
and amount of lubricant along with thorough purging.
The first systems in the United States offered only external
air/electric conversion kits. While tabletop models are still
available, the new electric handpiece systems can be fully
integrated into the tubing of the delivery system.

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