Why I Use…Piezotome Cube | DPS

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Why I Use…Piezotome Cube

By: Dental Product Shopper

4/9/2025

Ultrasonic unit enables atraumatic extractions and minimally invasive, compassionate care

TODD ENGEL, DDS, DICOI

A native of Southern California, where he graduated from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, Dr. Engel has extensive experience in dental implant rehabilitation, CT-guided surgical design, complex treatment planning, and full-mouth rehabilitation. A recognized expert in his fi eld, he has hosted live radio shows, authored numerous articles, and been a keynote speaker both nationally and internationally on implant dentistry topics. In 2005, Dr. Engel realized his lifelong dream of creating an educational institute for dental professionals with the founding of the Engel Institute in Charlotte, NC. The Institute specializes in live patient education, offering courses in implant placement, grafting, and full-arch conversion surgery. With over 12,000 alumni, the Engel Institute’s courses have been taught across the U.S.

Dr. Todd Engel evaluates any new technology by asking himself a simple question: Does it do the job better than the previous methodology for both me and my patients? If the answer is yes, then it's worth using—no matter the cost. One tool that passes his test is ACTEON's Piezotome Cube, which uses ultrasonic vibrations to selectively cut bone while preserving soft tissue. A beta tester for the original Cube nearly a decade ago, Dr. Engel tells us what makes this power-packed square an essential part of his bone and implant surgeries.

When you extract a tooth—assuming there’s no massive infection—take a look at the roots. No matter the patient, they all look the same: light tan, fresh, and clean. That’s because they’ve been buried in bone, protected. So, what you’re dealing with is a tremendously strong, healthy root holding onto its bony housing, while the part you’re actually grabbing—the decayed or infected tooth—is weak and compromised. Trying to twist and pull that healthy root out with traditional methods? Not easy.

That’s why any technology that can gently separate tooth from bone, keep the site irrigated and cool, and remove the tooth without any osseous reduction is a game changer. For me, that technology is ACTEON's Piezotome Cube.

A Cube with a Mind of Its Own

The Cube has 2 key settings: high or low irrigation and bone type, ranging from D1 to D4. You simply select the water level and bone type based on your needs. But here’s where it gets smart—if you set it to D2 and find yourself applying more pressure than usual, the Cube’s Dynamic Power System Inside (DPSI) senses the increased torque and automatically boosts power up to 30%, so you don’t have to overexert your grip.

The same intelligence works in reverse. If you select D1 and the handpiece moves through the bone too easily, the DPSI reduces power by 10% to minimize stress on the cut and provide added safety around soft tissue. What also makes the Cube so versatile is that the core technology remains the same but with different procedure-specific tips that make it adaptable across a range of surgeries. Most common are the extraction tips, which are angled and come in right and left variations. When you pick the right tip for a specific tooth, you won’t have to twist or strain your wrist to get access. It slides right down along the emergence of the tooth, allowing for a smoother extraction.

Building Trust with Piezo

A lot of technology out there is marketed as a means to make the doctor more profitable. But I think the real focus should be on patients' experience after they leave the office.

For me, that’s where piezo technology makes a difference. If I can use the Cube instead of older, more heavy-handed techniques, the postop experience is going to be much easier. And in the long run, that builds trust. It strengthens my relationship with patients, making them more likely to return for future treatment and refer others to my practice.

Tags: Piezoelectric, Acteon, Piezotome Cube

Piezotome Cube

Ultrasonic bone-surgery device. Cuts only bone and not soft tissue for safe and predictable surgery with reduced risk of damaging nerves, arteries, or ginigiva. Offers compassionate care, making it particularly effective for atraumatic extractions, sinus elevations, bone-block grafting, and ridge splitting. Dynamic Power System Inside (DPSI) with the most cutting power on the market for the fastest procedures while being just as safe to the soft tissue and bone as previous devices. Preserves buccal bone during extractions resulting in less trauma for patients and easier immediate implant placement. Less pain and swelling for patients postsurgery. Touch-screen control for easy operation.

Acteon