SECTION 7

HANDPIECES, BURS AND ROTARY ATTACHMENTS

Dental handpieces and rotary attachments help to make dental treatment more comfortable for the patient and reduce the amount of time needed to complete procedures.

Figure 7.1

HANDPIECES

FIGURE 7.1

Name

Air turbine handpiece. Also called: fast handpiece, high-speed handpiece and air rotor handpiece

Type

Contra-angled

Functions, precaution and features

• Removal of tooth tissue during restorations and preparation of teeth for fixed prosthetic appliances
• Polishing of restorations
• High speeds create heat and friction – handpiece must be run with water to cool the tooth to prevent pulpal damage
• High speed saves treatment time and reduces vibration
• High speed but low torque handpiece will stall with moderate pressure

Driven by

• Turbine – may need to be lubricated – check manufacturer’s instructions
• Compressed air rotates the turbine, which then rotates the bur

Speed

Check manufacturer’s specifications (can run up to 500 000 rpm)

Grip

Accepts friction grip attachments

Attachment

Dental unit

Varieties

• Different types of chucks available (e.g. those which need bur changing tool)
• With or without light
• Smaller heads for difficult access or use with the paediatric patient

Figure 7.2

Figure 7.3

FIGURE 7.2

Name

Straight handpiece

Type

Straight

Functions

• Used in surgical procedures to remove bone (cannot use air turbine as the water is not sterile)
• Used extra-orally at chairside or in the dental laboratory (e.g. for denture adjustments)

Driven by

Gears

Speed

Check manufacturer’s specifications (can run up to 40 000 rpm)

Grip

Accepts long shank attachments

Attachment

Electric motor that fits into the base of the handpiece

FIGURE 7.3

Name

Electric motor

Features

• Can reach speeds of 100 000 rpm depending on the type of attachment
• It is attached to the dental unit

Figure 7.4

FIGURE 7.4a, b, c, d, e, f

Name

Conventional handpieces. Also called: slow-speed handpieces and low-speed handpieces

Type

Contra-angled

Functions

• Removal of caries
• Polishing
• Procedures that require torque
• Refine cavity preparations and adjust occlusion

Driven by

Gears

Speed

Varies depending on handpiece

Grip

Varies depending on handpiece

Attachment

Electric motor that fits into the base of the handpiece (see Figure 7.3)

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