Can you think of one day in the practice of dentistry that you have not used a handpiece? Is it the instrument that spends the most time in your hand? Among the things you considered when purchasing it, did you contemplate air-driven versus electric? Or do you have some of each kind? They can be used for some of the same things, but what makes the difference when choosing one over the other for a particular procedure?
Preferring one over the other may depend partly on the speed and torque required to do a given procedure. Air-driven handpieces come in high speed and low speeds, but the torque tends to lower at higher speeds and is subject to resistance building up when the bur is in contact with tooth structure.
Electric handpieces can operate at both high and low speeds without a change in torque. This could make maintaining a constant speed easier to accomplish, which could make using it feel a little more stable and the results a little more precise. The cutting action is more like milling than the air-driven handpiece, which is more like chopping. Another difference is that electric handpieces make considerably less noise, because the motor is quieter. They also do not generate as much heat.
The new light-weight StarETorque electric handpiece from DENTALEZ has the power dentists expect from StarDental products. High-speed and low-speed settings are easy to customize for performing multiple procedures with one handpiece, from caries removal to root canal treatment. The motor is “brushless,” which allows for consistent speed with less noise and vibration. And the motor can be autoclaved, so your office can be compliant with CDC guidelines.
The StarETorque handpieces have a textured finish that makes them easy and comfortable to hold. The handpiece attachments come in Friction Grip (10k-200k rpm), which cuts tooth structure and is designed for crown and bridge; the AutoLatch (1k-40k rpm) is designed for caries removal; the AutoLatch is available with or without a fiber-optic light; and the Straight (1k-40k rpm) is ideal for chairside trimming and denture adjustment. The compact motor control unit takes up very little space, and the color touchscreen is intuitive, allowing the operator to customize six operative modes plus six endo settings, and program the torque to match any rotary file requirements. Actual bur rotation speeds are displayed. It’s a pretty comprehensive package!
For more information, including a StarETourque product overview video, visit DENTALEZ’s website.