nano series
Lightweight and perfectly balanced contra-angles designed for smoother procedures and reduced hand fatigue
With their primary focus on the health of their patients, dental professionals must stay cognizant of whether their practice routine is gradually taking its toll on their own health. Repeatedly gripping instruments throughout the day is a recipe for hand fatigue, and if you're scheduled for back-to-back procedures, the outcome may be muscular stiffness and pain. While some clinicians accept some level of discomfort as inevitable and attempt to power through—because, after all, they rely on their hands for nearly everything they do in dentistry—choosing instruments that are ergonomically designed, lightweight, and easy to use can impact one's comfort level and ability to practice well into the future.
“You hear about dentists getting neck pain, shoulder pain, and carpal tunnel later in their careers,” said Dr. Joyce Bassett, an educator, writer, and clinician who practices comprehensive restorative and esthetic dentistry in Scottsdale, AZ. “This pain is what takes a lot of dentists out of work earlier than anticipated. So, you have to look at the long-term benefit of using lighter handpieces, like those in NSK's nano series.”
Weighing less than 54 g and measuring less than 8.5 mm, NSK's nano series of contra-angles shifts the point of balance to the same position as with an air-driven handpiece to dramatically reduce hand and shoulder fatigue during procedures. The latest additions to NSK's electric handpiece family, the nano95LS and nano25LS are approximately 10% smaller and lighter than conventional handpiece models. Designed to function as a natural extension of the hand, they serve as an ideal option for female clinicians and those with smaller hands, ensuring smoother procedures with decreased hand fatigue.
“When I used other electric handpieces that were heavier, I had hand fatigue at the end of the day,” Dr. Bassett shared. “The nano series is an investment in your long-term health. Down the road, you’re not going to have pain with this tool in hand.”
One Handpiece for All Procedures
Along with reducing hand fatigue, the right handpiece should offer an ideal balance of features and achieve predictable, minimally invasive restorative results. Prior to using her nano series handpiece, Dr. Bassett would alternate between her electric handpiece for cutting and polishing, and her air-driven handpiece for preps. Now, when she’s in the operatory that houses the nano series handpiece—what she calls her “NSK room”—she can complete her restorations without having to switch handpieces mid-procedure.
“Recently, I had to cut through a 12-unit case, so I put the patient in my NSK room," she explained. "With the nano series, it's so much easier to cut restorations off without causing damage to the underlying tooth structure. With other handpieces, the more pressure you place on it during a procedure, the closer you come to hitting the tooth or damaging the pulp."
Dr. Bassett noted that her nano series contra-angle has the feel of an air-driven handpiece with the power of an electric. “I'm able to use it at the highest speeds when I’m cutting through restorations and prepping the tooth. Then, I can lower the speed and use it to polish. It's convenient to use the same handpiece rather than having to stop what I'm doing and pick up a different one."
Nano series handpieces are built to mirror the clinician’s intent, even in cases that require delicate or precise movements. "You can turn the power up or down with the press of a button," Dr. Bassett said. "If you’re going to upgrade, this is the way to go because you have the potential to use one handpiece for every procedure.”
"With the nano series, it's so much easier to cut restorations off without causing damage to the underlying tooth structure."
-Joyce Bassett, DDS, FAACD, FAGD
Smaller Size, Smarter Technology
Over time, maintenance can eat into a practice's overhead, but NSK's worry-free warranty ensures the cost to maintain and repair a electric handpiece won't outweigh its benefits. The manufacturer will cover any needed repairs for 2.5 years—no questions asked. "It feels like every time I turn around, I have a bill for maintenance," shared Dr. Bassett. "As a practice owner, I'm at the point in my career now where I want more predictability with my expenses, so this level of service from NSK is exactly what I'm looking for."
While smaller in size, the nano series offers the same cutting-edge features for which NSK handpieces are well known. The Contra-Check Function, for example, helps detect abnormalities that are caused by deterioration of the electric attachment or insufficient maintenance before use. 
Dr. Bassett appreciates having this smart technology integrated into her handpiece.
“With Contra-Check, I can simply put the attachment on the motor, hit the check button on the display, and know right away if it is going to work as expected, or if we need to relubricate," she said, posing a key question to her peers: “Why wouldn’t you buy a handpiece that has all of this technology already built into it?”
Dr. Bassett’s Top 6 Features of the Nano Series
1. Contra-Check Function provides assurance that the handpiece will work as expected
2. 2.5-year warranty; no questions asked
3. No hand or shoulder fatigue, even after prepping all day
4. Improved contouring, finishing, and polishing
5. Removes decay and smooths off margins at lower speeds without the risk of cutting tooth structure
6. Curves and contours at high or low speeds, and feels like using a paintbrush
Learn more about NSK's unique NLZ electric micromotor system that powers the nano series:
