Checklist – What you should look for when purchasing dental handpieces:

• Branded products
  Only buy products made by established manufacturers. You will often see special offers from cheap manufacturers. The products from such suppliers are generally of poor quality and usually do not comply with regulations and standards.
• After-Sales Service
  Comprehensive service of medical devices retains their value and extends their service life. Qualified service centres can also offer prompt assistance in case of problems with the product.
• Warranty
  Compare warranty periods and find out which components are not covered by the warranty. Wear parts such as ball bearings are often not covered by the warranty.
• Always compare head sizes with burs
  Small heads often lead to a quick decision for a product, but when a bur is clamped in place they can look quite different.
• LED light
  Light is not simply light: find out what light values are achieved and, if possible, compare the size of the illumination field. The size of the illuminated area is particularly restricted with glass rods. LEDs integrated into the instrument head are the ideal solution.
• Size and weight
  Ergonomics is an important factor. The use of titanium has not yet solved this problem. You will be surprised at the low instrument weights that can be achieved with other materials.
• Power and speed
  Don’t be distracted by high idle speeds and high power specifications. A test of the power under load will quickly show whether the product has sufficient power or not.
• Care – the alpha and omega
  A reliable unit from the same manufacturer is a guarantee that the instruments will be correctly maintained. Machines need lubrication to function correctly – or would you accept compromises with your car?
• Sterilization
  Careful selection of a sterilizer can save money. Sterilizers with vacuum eliminate residual moisture in the instruments and extend the service life.

Debris

• Introduced into the handpiece through dirty air and water every time air pressure is released.
• The best way to remove it is to flush the handpiece between patients using a handpiece cleaner and lubricant.
• Blow out the handpiece using compressed air to remove loose debris, cleaner, and lubricant before sterilization (a handpiece should never be run without a bur!).
   

Air Pressure

• Excessive air pressure (exceeding 40 PSI) could cause damage to turbine bearings, reducing the performance of the turbine.
• When handpiece performance is reduced at 35 PSI the turbine should be rebuilt or replaced.

Sterilization Tips

• Never exceed 275ºF (135ºC) during the sterilization cycle; use the lowest temperature possible while still achieving proper sterilization of instruments.
• Subjecting bearings to higher temperatures can cause the materials to break down and crack.
• Handpieces should only be used at room temperature, not hot.
• Never cool handpieces under cold running water; quick cool downs are bad for turbine components.
• If sterilizers are not maintained properly, excessive debris will bake onto the turbine and result in premature failure.
• Never use a dry heat sterilizer; the excessive heat will damage bearings.

Air and Water Supplies

• Must remain free of debris.
• Filters should be used and checked often.
• Compressor oils and carbons must be filtered from the air supply.
• An air dryer should also be used and maintained as required.

Push Button Spindle Maintenance

• Push button spindles are made of metal components and require small amounts of lubricant and periodic flushing for an extended life span.
• Use a handpiece cleaner or combination cleaner/ lubricant (lubricating alone is not enough).
• Spray handpiece cleaner and lubricant up into the front of the spindle; an adapter may be required.

• Then flush the handpiece to remove debris from the handpiece head that has been introduced from flushing the spindle.
• Doing this will help remove debris from within the spindle assembly, which will prevent the spindle from sticking open or failing.

Lube Free or Maintenance Free Turbines (Beware)

• Only the bearings are maintenance free!
• The bearings are pre-greased at the factory and shielded to help protect them from debris and the removal of lubricants during use.
• Other turbine components still need to be maintained; O-rings will dry out without lubricants and push button spindles require lubrication and flushing.