NSK Dental: Progress Through Innovation
As the world’s largest manufacturer of rotary instruments for dentistry, NSK offers a diverse selection of innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and expand treatment options
Since its founding nearly 100 years ago, NSK has worked to bring progress to the dental profession. The company’s history began in 1930, when founder Keiichi Nakanishi established Nakanishi Manufacturing in Toshima-cho Kanda, in Tokyo’s Chiyoda ward—parent company to future subsidiaries like NSK America Corp., established in 1984. The rest of the 20th century saw NSK introduce many revolutionary advances to dentistry, starting with its innovative take on the Doriot handpiece, first manufactured in 1953.
Today, NSK proudly stands as the world’s largest manufacturer of dental rotary instruments, offering an array of solutions that include air-driven and electric handpieces, specialty handpieces for endodontics, oral surgery, and hygiene, as well as electric motors andx handpiece maintenance systems. The company also is a pioneer in dental contamination reduction, a legacy that began with the development of its “Clean Head System,” a first in dental handpiece contamination reduction and winner of the 1993 SITAD Applied Technology Award. In the years since, NSK has continued to incorporate patented handpiece and micromotor technologies that reduce aerosols and contamination of dental air and water lines—a key part of its ongoing goal to improve the health and safety for everyone.
With a foundation built on strong sales and marketing capabilities, as well as best-in-class customer service and support, NSK has expanded its global direct network from its home country of Japan to 15 bases around the world, including overseas subsidiaries and representative offices. Known across the globe for their superior quality, reliability, and affordability, NSK’s products currently are sold in over 135 countries. Likewise, NSK leverages its extensive network to better grasp the needs of both local and global dental communities and uses this knowledge to guide the development of new products
Recently, NSK partnered with DCI, another global industry leader in dental equipment manufacturing, to launch a new integrated solution. The co-engineered system introduced in 2020 fully integrates the NLZ electric motor and its licensed differentiators, including WaveOne technology, with DCI Edge delivery units. NSK’s micromotor can even be retrofitted to existing Series 5 delivery units, allowing more dental professionals to expand treatment possibilities and better deliver care.
Ti-Max Z95L Handpiece with 2-Way Spray Switch
First introduced in 2013 as part of the Ti-Max Z line, the Ti-Max Z95L contra-angle quickly gained recognition as one of the most formidable electric handpieces on the market, setting new standards for ergonomics, durability, and performance. Now, NSK has redesigned the Ti-Max Z95L with new patented 2-way spray switch technology—yet another game-changing innovation dentists can leverage to enhance patient care and improve contamination reduction.
Benefits and features of the Ti-Max Z95L include the following:
• Performance & Safety: Enabled by the inclusion of 2-way spray technology, NSK’s Ti-Max Z95L leads the way in efficiency and safety. A twist of the builtin 2-way spray switch allows you to choose between Water Spray (water + coolant air) and Water Jet (water only) functions, so you can reduce dental aerosol production without losing handpiece cooling or performance.
• Accessibility & Visibility: The Ti-Max Z95L gives you the power of a larger high-speed handpiece in a compact, ergonomic design. Among all competitive, standard head class electric handpieces, the Z95L has the smallest head and slimmest neck dimensions, which enhances visibility into the oral cavity and permits easier access to hard-to-reach areas.
• Durability & Ergonomics: With lightweight, balanced ergonomics and enhanced tactile feel, the Ti-Max Z95L is built for extended use and eliminates operator hand fatigue. The handpiece has a solid titanium body that is strong yet 30% lighter than stainless steel, and a DURAGRIP coating that makes the device comfortable and easy to use, even after long periods of use. In addition, the Z95L is made from corrosion-resistant metal suitable for autoclave sterilization, while biocompatibility puts to rest any concerns about allergic reactions.
• Reduced Noise & Vibration: The Ti-Max Z95L’s gears are coated with a special diamond-like carbon (DLC) and designed using High Spec 3D simulation software. The benefits of DLC are twofold: first, it eliminates most vibration, which minimizes noise and helps put patients and practitioners at ease during use. Second, the coating extends instrument longevity. According to the manufacturer, DLC gives the Z95L’s gears 5 times greater wear resistance than previous NSK handpiece models.
• Anti-Heat & Anti-Suck Back: To further ensure safe and efficient performance, the Ti-Max Z95L’s unique head design limits heat generation while dispersing any heat produced. The handpiece also features NSK’s Clean Head System, which prevents crosscontamination thanks to an antisuck back mechanism that stops blood and other foreign matter from entering the device’s head. In addition, this system helps preserve the Z95L’s ball bearings and mechanical parts for even greater instrument longevity.
Ti-Max Z900L Air-Driven Handpiece
Combining power, ease of use, and comfort, the ergonomic Ti-Max Z900L air-driven handpiece delivers an ideal experience for both clinicians and patients. Benefits and features of the Ti-Max Z900L include the following:
• Coupling Compatibility: Ti-Max Z series handpieces are compatible with couplings from all companies, allowing connection to a broad range of delivery units currently in use. Their design lets you use the handpiece without being tied to a particular unit.
• Push Button Chuck: NSK’s Push Button Chuck is the manufacturer’s original push button auto-chuck mechanism that tensions the bur grip during rotation. This mechanism allows one-touch bur insertion and removal without tools. Additionally, the bur lock mechanism is designed so that bur retention strength increases when high loads are applied to the bur. A special coating is applied to the pusher section for even lighter and easier push button operation when exchanging burs.
• Clean Head System: The Ti-Max Z900L’s Clean Head System has an anti-suck back mechanism that stops blood and foreign matter from entering the head from the oral cavity, ensuring that the handpiece’s ball bearings and mechanical parts last longer, and improving contamination reduction. • Titanium Body: The body of the Ti-Max Z900L is made from light yet strong pure titanium. This ergonomic, durable design reduces hand fatigue during operation while allowing autoclave sterilization for optimal contamination reduction. In addition, the biocompatible properties of titanium eliminate concerns about metal allergies.
• Quattro Water Spray: NSK’s Quattro Water Spray effectively cools the entire surface of the bur, leaving no areas untreated and maximizing device performance.
• Microfilter: Thanks to the Ti-Max Z900L’s microfilter, particles are prevented from entering the water spray system to guarantee optimum cooling at all times.
• DURAGRIP: An ergonomic body shape and DURAGRIP coating provide superior grip and handling comfort, even during extended use.
NLZ and NLZ E Clinical Micromotors
With just a small addition to your armamentarium, you can experience a big change in treatment. Now available in a more compact size with higher safety and greater flexibility for different installation styles, NSK’s updated NLZ series of micromotors can help any user of air-driven handpieces convert their devices to electric and enjoy the full benefits of this intelligent system.
NLZ’s unique technology employs an all-new micromotor system, designed to expand the possibilities of dental treatment.
Both the NLZ and NLZ E implement a range of cutting-edge features, with the award-winning NLZ E offering additional functionality to help clinicians perform a range of endodontic procedures with enhanced comfort and safety.
Benefits and features of NLZ motors include the following:
• Powerful Performance: The conventional magnet rotor used in earlier micromotor models has been replaced with an improved magnet rotor. By reducing weak magnetic areas, this important change allows for more powerful rotation and performance.
• Improved Efficiency: Water lines and air lines that, in previous models, bypassed the motor have now been integrated with the motor. This new, more efficient configuration helps to ensure maximum use of limited space, and it makes the NLZ lighter and even more powerful than it was before.
• Heat Reduction: NLZ employs a simple non-layered coil instead of a standard layered coil, making the coils as compact as possible and shortening the pathway for heat generating current. The result? Less heat without sacrificing output power.
• Simplified Pipe Configuration: Conventional motors include several pipes, which crank the water flow that is supplied from the rear of the motor. The NLZ motor uses a simple straight pipe design instead of a crank, which reduces the risk of water clogging the rear section of the motor.
• Particle & Debris Filtration: A water filter with 0.3-mm diameter mesh is fitted within the tubing connector at the back of the main unit. This microfilter catches debris and foreign particles in the water stream and prevents clogging.
• Endo Torque Calibration Function (NLZ E Only): Performing the ContraCheck function on the NLZ E also enables torque calibration. This measures the no-load current values and corrects the torque accordingly. The result is enhanced patient safety during endodontic treatment. Keep in mind that this function can’t completely absorb the individual difference of the actual motor and contra-angles.
NSK/DCI Edge Integrated Delivery System
Experience the power of integration with a best-in-class intuitive system, which was designed by expert DCI Edge and NSK engineering teams from around the globe. Now, the new DCI Edge Integrated touchpad comes factory installed with NSK’s award-winning NLZ E micromotor system to expand the possibilities of dental treatment. Benefits and features of the system include the following:
• Power & Precision: Built for maximum power, operability, and safety, the NSK NLZ E electric motor delivers a speed of 100 to 40,000 rpm and a max torque of 4.2 Ncm. The device also includes NSK’s proprietary ContraCheck function, which improves safety during endodontic treatment.
• Efficiency: Enjoy the enhanced safety and treatment efficiency that comes with the NSK NLZ E electric motor system’s compact design and cutting-edge features, which include support for rotary, reciprocating, and WaveOne Gold endodontic files. • Ease of Use: Readily access essential clinical and diagnostic devices such as the Dentsply Sirona Cavitron system and the ACTEON SOPRO family of intraoral cameras, piezoelectric scalers, and curing lights.
