Evaluating Dental Handpiece Ergonomics: Electric vs. Air-Driven Expert Demonstration
Choosing and using dental instruments that reduce the need for excessive gripping force and repetitive motion can be critical for career longevity – especially considering that one out of seven dental health care personnel may be affected by carpal tunnel syndrome. 1 In this short, instructive video, Daniel Call, of Bien-Air North America, a leading expert on dental handpieces, demonstrates the key ergonomic differences between electric and air-driven models.
Instruments that generate excessive vibration, require force to hold, have small diameter handles, or that slip easily can potentially contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Research shows that ergonomic dental instruments successfully contribute to the reduction of MSDs among dental professionals.2 Electric handpieces can offer a significant reduction in repetitive movements and provide better balance for reduced risk of MSDs.3
To understand the difference in ergonomics between electric and air-driven dental handpieces, it is enlightening to see each type of handpiece demonstrated. In this short video:
• Observe the difference in balance between air-driven and electric handpieces
• Observe the difference in weight distribution between air-driven and electric handpieces
• Observe the difference in design for decreased strain on fingers, hand, and wrist
• Observe the larger diameter handles that require less gripping force
• Observe the smaller head for improved access and visibility
• Observe the texture for confident grip
• Observe the reduction of force required for cutting
• Observe the reduction of repetitive motion required for tooth preparation
• Observe the power and torque between air-driven and electric handpieces while the bur is in motion
• Observe the tooth preparation technique between electric (milling) and air-driven (feathering)
Take a few moments to assess the ergonomics of your current handpiece to ensure that the handpiece you work with not only benefits your patients, but also your own well-being.
Book an in-practice demonstration of Bien-Air handpieces today and see the difference improved ergonomics can bring to your practice.
Book a demonstration of Bien-Air handpieces at your practice today!
REFERENCE
1. See NIH National Library of Medicine, Worldwide Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome among Dental Health Care Personnel - A systematic review and meta-analysis. F1000Res. 2023 Jul 20;12:251. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.131659.1. PMID: 37521768; PMCID: PMC10372462.
2. See NIH National Library of Medicine, Published online May 2020, Prevention of Musculoskeletal Diseases and Pain Among Dental Professionals Through Ergonomic Interventions: A Systematic Literature Review by Janna Lietz, Nazan Ulusoy, and Albert Nienhaus.
LINK: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32429439/
3. See Inside Dentistry magazine, September 2006 Volume 2, Issue 7 Understanding and Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in Dentistry by Eve Cuny, MS; A. Jeffrey Wood, DDS.