Product Evaluation

Human mouths vary greatly in shape and size, but for dentists, the smallest and narrowest mouths often present the most challenges. With restricted space and limited visibility, dentists may find that pleading with patients to open wide is often not enough to get the access needed for successful posterior procedures.

Thankfully, the latest addition to KaVo’s MASTERmatic line of electric handpieces features a breakthrough in access and visibility that redefines the standards of precision and efficiency, while prioritizing ergonomics and patient safety. The innovative MASTERmatic LUX M45L offers superior cutting performance in the most demanding procedures, and a revolutionary head/knee angle allows for easy access and visibility in the posterior.

For Dr. Kevin Anderson, the unique 42-degree head angle is “a lifesaver” when certain teeth present challenging ergonomics in the posterior. He described the handpiece as “awesome for section­ing teeth during surgeries.”

Dr. Adam Beno called the M45L “one of the best handpieces I’ve used in terms of power, silent operation, and smoothness with preparations and sectioning of teeth for extractions.”

Access, Power, and Torque

Capable of reaching 168,000 rpm, the MASTERmatic LUX M45L delivers superior cutting performance for exceptional precision and outcomes. The unique 42°/100° head/knee angle ensures that visibility in the posterior isn’t compromised by anterior teeth, and blocked chip air enables better posterior access. Glass fiberoptic technology illuminates small details to further improve visibility.

Reporting that he was able to section a tooth for ex­traction “with great ease,” Dr. Beno said, “It also allowed me to complete crown preps in the posterior with improved access.” He added, “The excellent torque and power created a smooth prepara­tion with no chattering at all compared to some other handpieces.”

Calling the M45L “perfect for extractions,” Dr. Jer­emy Schell explained, “The angulation, torque, and lack of air chip make it ideal for sectioning teeth and troughing bone.” Dr. Phil Harper called it a “great surgical handpiece to get into hard spaces” and was able to section a horizontal impacted wisdom tooth “with ease.”

“It was very quiet and didn’t lose any torque while cutting through both tooth and old restor­ative materials,” shared Dr. Anderson. Appreciating the convenience of “using my KaVo motor with a KaVo handpiece,” Dr. Charley Cheney III said his “extractions were predictable,” and Drs. Lawrence Leibowitz and Evan Krause enjoyed the “smooth operation.” Dr. Jason Dunville gave the M45L triple “greats,” saying it “ran great with great handling, and the angle was great!”

Ergonomics and Safety

Because the M45L can be used for extractions and crown lengthening, as well as for restorative pro­cedures that expose blood, the air chip is blocked to prevent subcutaneous air emphysema due to air pressure being directed into the surgical site.

With an optimized 3-port spray, the handpiece is designed to wet the entire length of the bur for an overall cooling effect that enhances comfort and pro­longs bur life. KaVo CoolHead technology prevents excessive heating even if the push-button is pressed accidentally.

“[It has] great torque and ergonom­ics, especially when compared to other electric handpieces,” said Dr. Anderson. Dr. Harper was pleased that it doesn’t force air into the surgical site, and Dr. Krause said it “improved posterior access and irrigation with safety measures.” Dr. Beno appreciated being able to section a crown and the tooth during extraction without risk of air embolism. “Just knowing we can minimize the chance of an air embolus is reassuring,” said Dr. Leibowitz.

Versatility

The KaVo MASTERmatic LUX M45L hand­piece is compatible with bur lengths of up to 25 mm, offering flexibility and adaptabil­ity for a wide range of applications.

Dr. Cheney especially appreciated its use for multiple procedures and said it helped produce successful outcomes in third molar extractions. Calling it helpful for removing root tips and troughing,” Dr. Leibowitz said, “It is a quality handpiece by a reputable company.”

Some evaluators favored M45L’s use as a surgical handpiece, including Dr. Schell, who said “the lack of chip air made for a safer surgical extraction” while also making tooth preparation a bit more difficult be­cause of the need to increase water flow to keep the tooth cool and debris-free.

While he “liked the angle of the hand­piece head for easier posterior access,” Dr. Jason Ingber found it inconvenient to change the air pressure and water flow when switching between restorative and surgical procedures.

Overall Satisfaction

“I believe the MASTERmatic LUX M45L handpiece is an essential tool for surgical tooth extractions that will make them easi­er and safer for the patient,” said Dr. Schell. Eager to purchase and recommend the M45L in the future, Dr. Cheney concluded, “I’ve tried many handpieces and believe this is the upgrade I’ve been searching for. It checked all the boxes and performed wonderfully.”