Product Evaluation

BEYES CANADA

AirLight Dental Handpiece Evaluation

Beyes' AirLight provides exceptionally bright direct LED illumination powered by a built-in generator.

I feel like the AirLight doesn't feel like a dental drill at all. More specifically, it seems much more like an efficient cutting instrument acting as a natural extension of my hand," said a dentist with 20 years of experience. Another evaluator declared the handpiece "a very fine product!"

Ten dentists participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation of the AirLight handpiece from Beyes, rating and commenting on such features as brightness, ease of use, ergonomics, and cutting efficiency.

Brightness

Manufacturer Description: The AirLight features direct LED illumination powered by its own miniature built-in generator, providing a clear illuminated operative field without the restrictions of traditional fiber optic systems. With an intensity of 25,000 Lux, the AirLight's direct-LED light is brighter than that achieved with conventional power optic systems and handpieces.
 

Evaluator Feedback: An evaluator from Lisle, IL, described the AirLight as "much brighter than the similar E-generator lighted handpiece that I've used for over a year," adding that it's "a brighter light without a fiber optic cord or bulb to replace." Eight of the 10 evaluators rated the brightness of the handpiece light as excellent or very good. When the evaluators were asked about brightness, 4 rated it as excellent, 4 rated it as very good, and 2 rated it as good. An evaluator who rated brightness as excellent and gave the handpiece an overall satisfaction rating of excellent, commented that he would like the light to "cover more of the tip of the bur."

Ease of Use and Ergonomics

Manufacturer Description: The smooth, micro-textured surface of the AirLight feels comfortable in the hand and reduces the possibility of becoming slippery during the operation. Three coolant water ports provide the desired coolant spray pattern.
 

Evaluator Feedback: A dentist with 31 years of experience said, "I really liked the controlled water spray pattern. It cleared tooth debris well and still allowed for good visualization." Another evaluator described the handpiece as "very light and easy to maneuver," while another evaluator found it to be "a little heavy." Nine evaluators rated both ease of use and ergonomics of the handpiece as excellent or very good.

Cutting Efficiency

Manufacturer Description: The AirLight has all the benefits of a fiber optic system without the need for fiber optic or power optic tubing, or electronic modules and transformers. The drive air rotates the miniature generator, and the resulting electricity illuminates the optimally positioned LED, providing daylight-bright illumination with no loss of air pressure or torque.
 

Evaluator Feedback: One evaluator described the handpiece as having "good torque and hand feel," adding that "cutting was smooth when used for crown preps." This same evaluator went on to note that "chatter was an issue when used for intracoronal restorative preparations." All of the evaluators rated the AirLight's cutting efficiency as excellent to good. Another evaluator reported "very smooth operation and enough torque for efficient cutting."

Overall Satisfaction

Eight evaluators described the AirLight as somewhat or much better than similar handpieces. Overall satisfaction was rated as excellent by 2 evaluators, as very good by 6, and as fair by 2. When asked what he liked best about the AirLight, an evaluator with 27 years of experience said, "Most everything."