Key Reasons to Switch from Air-Driven to Electric Dental Handpieces
The dental handpiece is truly the cornerstone of any dental practice. It’s practically an extension of the dentist themselves, and the vital instrument that helps create beautiful dental outcomes. Selecting a dental handpiece is a multifaceted decision and a very personal choice. Most dentists in the US were taught to use air-driven handpieces in dental school because that was the best technology available at the time. But electric handpieces – like electric cars – have come a long way. Today, 90% of US dental schools teach the use of electric dental handpieces, and more and more dentists are making the switch because of the distinct advantages that today’s electric dental handpieces offer. Switching from air-driven dental handpieces to electric dental handpieces is surprisingly easy to do, and it’s a smart move. Here are some key reasons dentists are making the switch:
Electric Dental Handpieces Can Raise Your Game
“Electric handpieces can raise your game. Chances are, you know, and respect, a colleague using electric,” writes Lou Shuman, DMD, CAGS, CEO and founder of Cellerant Consulting Group.[1] As one of the leaders in dentistry, he knows first-hand the exceptional value that electric dental handpieces bring to the dental practice.
Electric handpieces allow dentists to work more quickly, with greater efficiency on a wider range of procedures. The versatility and precision of electric handpieces make them ideal instruments for tooth preparation, crown and bridge preparation, root canal therapy, crown lengthening, tooth extraction, dental implant placement, orthodontic procedures, prosthodontic cases, periodontal cases, and aesthetic cases.
More Power & Torque Means Smoother, Faster Dental Procedures
Electric dental handpieces offer higher torque and more power than their air-driven counterparts due to the fact that the motor is spinning the bur as opposed to air. With an electric handpiece, the consistent rotation of the motor, even under pressure, allows for consistent speed control at any setting, allowing the practitioner to work without interruption and with greater precision. Electric handpieces are designed to maintain torque at all speeds. In contrast, air- driven turbines must rev up to a much higher speed because they slow and chatter as soon as pressure is applied to the bur.
When working with an electric dental handpiece, there is no need for feathering or pausing as the bur comes back up to speed. This translates to a five-star cutting experience and superior control during caries removal, tooth structure removal, fabrication, crown margin prep, and shaping of restorative materials.
Patient Safety and Comfort are Improved with Electric Dental Handpieces
The notorious sound that nearly every patient hates is the high-pitched whirring of a dental drill. Although electric handpieces do make some sound, in comparison to air-driven handpieces, electric handpieces are much quieter. In addition to being quieter, electric handpieces also have less vibration and — believe it or not — the patient experiences the difference.[2]
Electric Dental Handpieces Reduce Repetitive Motion for the Dentist
The efficient cutting and speed control capabilities of electric handpieces allow for a significant reduction in repetitive movements. Once again, this benefit comes from the electric handpiece’s ability to maintain torque and speed. Cutting is much faster and more efficient compared with using an air-driven handpiece, where you continually cut then withdraw to let the turbine return to speed. The switch to electric means less physical fatigue for the practitioner, and less wear and tear on hands, arms, and shoulders.[3]
Electric Dental Handpieces Improve Practitioner Safety
According to the America Dental Association, “Dentists are exposed to the noise of handpieces and ultrasonic scalers, at levels of 60-99 decibels. While this level of noise presents only a minimal risk of hearing loss, sustained exposure can result in sensorineural hearing loss.” [5] Electric dental handpieces operate with significantly less noise and vibration than air-driven handpieces. This makes a more pleasant environment and helps address concerns related to sustained noise.
Additionally, electric handpieces produce fewer aerosols than those with air-driven turbines. This is a direct result of the electric motor’s ability to perform at slower speeds, avoiding the air-driven handpiece’s need to “over-rev” to compensate for the loss of torque. This reduction in aerosols and exposure to OPIM (other potentially infectious material) is a significant safety advantage given today’s heightened infection control efforts and creates a safer space for your patients and dental team [4].
With Electrics, Fewer Handpieces Are a Huge Time-Saver
After switching to electric, dentists can perform the same cases with fewer handpieces and attachments. In most cases, one handpiece can be used throughout a procedure — simply change burs and motor speed. For example, “Let’s say you’ve removed the tooth structure for your prep and now need to remove the caries. Rather than switching to a low-speed handpiece, you can just change the setting on the controller box to caries removal and proceed. This is a huge time saver and will decrease the costs of purchasing low speed handpieces that may no longer be needed,” according to Dental Products Report magazine. [6]
Introduction to Bien-Air, Leading Worldwide Manufacturer of Dental and Medical Rotary Handpieces
Bien-Air is a leading worldwide manufacturer of dental micromotors, contra-angles, turbines, and handpieces. The company was founded in 1959 in the town of Bienne, Switzerland. Its first dental turbines were considered the most reliable and durable on the market. In the 1970s Bien-Air introduced its first electric dental motors and handpieces.
Bien-Air has continued to revolutionize dentistry and medicine by producing innovative, reliable, and easy to use instruments and systems for dentistry. The company expanded into the fields of ENT surgery, plastic surgery, and neurosurgery, formalizing the divisions of Bien-Air Dental and Bien-Air Surgery in 2001.
Today, Bien-Air employs more than 400 staff worldwide and has two production/assembly sites in Noirmont (Switzerland) and eight subsidiaries. Bien-Air opened its U.S. branch in 1979.
Introduction to Bien-Air Electric Dental Handpiece Range
Bien-Air manufactures both air-driven and electric dental handpieces and enjoys a reputation for its exceptional products in both categories. Bien-Air’s electric handpiece line is designed to simplify the workflow for the dentist and make performing dental procedures less taxing on the clinician and patient.
According to Dr. Kyle Stanley, who has been recognized as a one of “The Next Generation of Cosmetic Dentistry" by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, "My Bien-Air handpiece provides a better patient experience which gives my practice more referrals and helps grow my business."
Advantages of Bien-Air Electric Dental Handpieces for Practitioner Comfort & Well-being
• Exceptionally smooth, quiet operation
• Ergonomically designed for less fatigue and less hand, arm, and shoulder strain
• Superior visibility, access, and maneuverability
• Less repetitive motion
• Less exposure to aerosols and splatter
Advantages of Bien-Air Dental Electric Handpieces for Patient Safety
• Exceptional infection control designed into the handpiece with easily sterilizable anti-retraction valve
• Less noise and vibration contribute to calmer patients
• CoolTouch+ heat arresting technology assures cool cutting, ensuring vitality of pulp and tooth-supporting tissues
• Less aerosol, splatter, and exposure to OPIM (Other Potentially Infectious Materials)
Tips for Purchasing Electric Dental Handpieces for Your Dental Practice
If you’re ready to make the switch to electric dental handpieces, congratulations! It’s a switch that will serve you well — potentially extending your career, giving you greater professional joy, and increasing your productivity. Here are some tips for moving forward:
a) Take a test drive. Before you commit to buying an electric handpiece, take a test drive – and not just at a dental meeting. Most reputable manufacturers and dental dealers offer an in-office demo or trial period. Dental sales reps have extensive knowledge and can schedule a test run with the electric handpieces that might best suit your needs.
b) Test for stall and chatter. Not all electric handpieces are created equal, and some feel better in your hand than others. One important way to see the difference between brands is to test for stall and chatter. By pushing the handpiece to its limits, the capability and comfort of each electric handpiece are more robustly demonstrated and more fully appreciated. Here’s a video that explains how to test for stall and chatter. [9]
c) Test for comfort, control, and ergonomics. Handpiece performance is only part of the equation. Comfort and control are key since you will be using your electric handpiece extensively. Examine the grasp design and the balance in your hand. Test the electric handpiece for maneuverability, visibility and accessibility.
Summary:
Electric dental handpieces offer distinct advantages over air- driven handpieces, including more power, torque, and speed control for more efficient cutting, faster and smoother procedures, a quieter and more comfortable working environment for the clinical team, and a better experience for the patient versus standard air-driven dental drills. In addition, electric dental handpieces offer the advantage of improved infection control because of less exposure to aerosols and OPIM for both practitioners and patients. Electric dental handpieces can perform a wider range of procedures than air- driven dental handpieces, and their use reduces a significant amount of repetitive motion for the dental practitioner. When selecting an electric dental handpiece, dentists should test the handpiece in the comfort of their own practice so they can best evaluate the impact on workflow, ergonomics, and dental practice productivity.
REFERENCE
1. Plugged in for Success: Electric Handpieces are the Future. Here’s Why. https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/features/plugged-in-for-success-electric-handpieces-are-the-future-heres-why/
2. The Effect of Sound in the Dental Office: Practices and Recommendations for Quality Assurance—A Narrative Review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36547044/
3. Video Demonstration of Bien-Air electric dental handpiece; demonstration of how cutting with electrics reduces repetitive motion for the dentist. https://vimeo.com/showcase/10512195/video/757753154
4. Topographic aspects of airborne contamination caused by the use of dental handpieces in the operative environment. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32854868/
5. American Dental Association: Safety Tips to Avoid Hearing Loss. https://www.ada.org/resources/practice/wellness/safety-tips-to-prevent-hearing-loss
6. Dental Products Report: 5 reasons to switch to electric handpieces. https://www.dentalproductsreport.com/view/5-reasons-switch-electric-handpieces
7. Electric Dental Handpiece cutting techniques explained and demonstrated by procedure including: Sectioning a Tooth, Milling a Tooth, Sectioning Zirconia Crown, PFM Crown Sectioning, Trimming a Prosthesis. https://vimeo.com/showcase/8441727
8. What to Expect During an In-Office Demonstration of Bien-Air Electric Handpieces- embed: https://vimeo.com/548241158
9. Dr. Palsis NSK vs. Bien Air Speed Regulation- embed: Dr Palsis NSK vs Bien Air Speed regualtion on Vimeo
Bien-Air welcomes the opportunity to provide a demonstration of its Swiss-made dental handpieces in your practice. Let our professional team educate you and provide you a test drive of the latest electric or air-driven handpieces. Click here to request your demo today!