Constant torque, controlled speed, and quiet operation are qualities that any dentist would appreciate in an electric dental handpiece. That’s why DPS evaluators were eager to try KaVo’s ELECTROmatic motor system, which offers the versatility to choose the right torque and speed for a wide range of indications.
Dr. Bruce Howard said he was excited to use the new ELECTROmatic in his practice and was hoping the system would allow him to save chair time during restorations while making his patients more comfortable. Not only was Dr. Howard able to perform crown preps in one-third the usual time, but he was pleased with the “excellent torque, good ergonomics of high- and low-speed handpieces, and very low noise level.”
KaVo offers 3 options—ELECTROmatic, ELECTROmatic Plus, and ELECTROmatic Premium. The dentists who participated in this DPS evaluation provided feedback after a 2-week trial with the ELECTROmatic Premium, which they used with one of KaVo’s MASTERmatic LUX M-series handpieces. After using the ELECTROmatic in his practice, Dr. Howard found that crown prep was fast and effortless, and said his day went by more smoothly and with less stress. “My confidence level in providing efficient, quality dentistry was boosted with the KaVo ELECTROmatic,” he added.
Speed and Torque
Described by KaVo as an all-in-one device for intuitive operation and integrated endo function, the ELECTROmatic Premium is available with 1 or 2 motors. The dual-motor option enables easy switching between high- and low-speed functions, and the SMARTdrive sensorless control allows for high torque at low speeds.
“There was consistent torque, and it was quieter than my air-driven handpiece,” noted Albert Klitzke, DDS. Dr. Chander Bhatti said he really liked the “slow-speed latch while polishing composites, having that nice constant torque, and also having water spray.” He added, “Prepping for a crown was a treat. The handpiece did not slow down; it had constant torque. I liked being able to slow the handpiece down for polishing the margins of the crown.”
“This product had the most impact during crown preparations,” said Marc Malatesta, DDS, who explained, “Due to its constant torque, it allows for a much faster crown preparation, which is great for the tooth and the patient, and reduced overall chair time.” Dr. J. Michael Heider told DPS that the KaVo ELECTROmatic Premium provided more consistent torque than air turbines, and Charley Cheney III, DMD, praised its “great power, control, and noise reduction.”
Programs, Touchscreen, Handpiece Connection
ELECTROmatic’s preprogrammed file systems make it easy to plan and customize endodontic sequences. In prep mode, the intuitive programming adjustments allow up to 5 speed memory presets. The large 4.3-inch TFT color touchscreen display is easy to use.
While looking for an efficient way to change the RPMs of the handpieces for the different products he uses, Dr. James Merrett discovered it was very easy. “I liked the touchscreen ease [of use], and how you could easily switch between presets and handpieces,” he said.
Calling the electric dental handpiece very light and easy to handle, Dr. Helen Lester said it was particularly nice to be able to adjust the water on the motor itself. Dr. Heider agreed that “the water adjustment was an easy-to-access knob at the end of the hose connection.” For Dr. Klitzke, the handpieces were easy to connect, and Dr. Bhatti said it was very easy to hook up. When asked to suggest improvements, Dr. Howard replied, “The cable/hose to the handpiece was a little bulky, but about the same as the traditional air turbine handpieces.”
Patient Reaction: Noise Level and Comfort
Dr. Howard said his patients were more comfortable with the much lower noise level and shorter prep time, noting that the KaVo ELECTROmatic Premium was especially useful for easier and faster restorations in a patient prone to gagging. Although he reported less noise than with air turbines, Dr. Heider said the unit could use some “improvement in the decibel sound muffling.”
Several of Dr. Malatesta’s patients commented on how quietly the KaVo ELECTROmatic Premium operated, and Dr. Cheney said the reduction in noise level reduced patients’ anxiety..
Overall Satisfaction
All of the evaluators agreed they would recommend the ELECTROmatic Premium to their colleagues, and many were considering purchasing the unit. Dr. Howard, who said he’s strongly considering the purchase, said it “should pay for itself in chair time.” Dr. Malatesta summed up his evaluation experience by telling DPS, “Overall, it’s a great handpiece—it made certain procedures more efficient.” Dr. Heider concluded, “It’s a pleasure to use, compared to air turbines.”
