Dr. Jake Shirk, an owner dentist at Premier Smiles & Implant Dentistry in Rock Hill, SC, recalled “working on a maxillary second molar with limited visibility” with his older, larger electric handpiece. The case crystallized what he wanted: better access and visibility on second molars, plus a lighter handpiece with consistent water spray.
He found it in Henry Schein’s Maxima Advanced 1:5 Contra Angle. “I liked the narrow head size and consistent water spray,” he said. “It was helpful to prevent hand fatigue due to the weight and size reduction, and it helped with visibility.”
Dr. Hana Rashid shared a similar perspective while using the Maxima Advanced 1:5 Contra Angle during a zirconia crown removal. “It was much smoother than my other electric handpiece,” she said. “It did not feel like it had a lot of vibration as I was cutting through a zirconia crown.”
When asked what she liked best, she simply said the handpiece is “very easy to use and smooth,” and she would recommend it to anyone “in the market for a reliable, affordable, and plug-and-play electric handpiece.”
Ergonomics and Smooth Operation
The Maxima Advanced 1:5 Contra Angle has a durable, scratch-resistant titanium body and weighs only 59.3 grams to reduce fatigue and support finger dexterity. A nonslip grip with a microtextured coating aids handling and comfort, while a 3-piece gear structure supports smooth operation.
“This handpiece felt good in my hand,” Dr. Shannon Johnson noted. “It was lightweight and smooth, and I did not experience any hand fatigue while using it for long procedures.”
“The compact size is a huge plus,” Dr. David Fine said, adding how the Maxima Advanced 1:5 Contra Angle met his “desire for a lightweight, high-torque, high-speed handpiece.” Prosthodontist Dr. Byron Davis also said, “It is much lighter than several I have used.”
Dr. Connie Onik particularly liked that “it runs smoother and quieter than my existing electric handpiece options,” and Dr. Johnson added, “Patients appreciated the lower noise level and less vibration while using this electric handpiece.”
Access and Visibility
The Maxima Advanced 1:5 Contra Angle features a compact, 92° angled head for improved access and visibility during procedures. The handpiece’s unique head cap design is intended to limit heat generation, while its microfilter water system ensures optimal cooling performance.
While “doing a crown prep on a posterior molar with a limited opening,” Dr. Rupesh Singla found the small head provided “a more dramatic angle that could help reach further back,” but a few evaluators felt the head could be smaller.
For Dr. Davis, “the angle of the head was good for accessibility in tight spaces like maxillary second molars,” while Dr. Fine agreed, “It works well in tight spaces.”
Cutting Performance
The Maxima Advanced 1:5 Contra Angle offers consistent, high-torque cutting for a range of procedures. Its advanced chuck incorporates proprietary “wedge-effect” technology, which grips the bur firmly to reduce slippage.
“Even compared to our current electric handpieces, I notice that I can use consistent light pressure even when cutting through a tough restorative material,” Dr. Karen Guo said. “The torque and cutting efficiency of this handpiece are pretty incredible. I used it to cut a 3-unit porcelain-fused-to-metal bridge with no issues.”
Dr. Saleem Baba said, “The torque was nice,” Dr. Christi Clifford reported, “It’s great for crown preps and fillings,” and Dr. Johnson noted, “Its cutting efficiency and torque are superior to air-driven units.”
“I used this handpiece for several crown removals of different types of material and found that it was efficient in cutting through almost anything I threw at it,” Dr. Onik shared. “I feel it is equal to if not better in performance to the brand-name handpieces I have used.”
Overall Satisfaction
“It allowed me to place another instrument into rotation without questioning performance capability,” Dr. Charley Cheney III said, trusting that Maxima by Henry Schein would be able to produce a quality instrument.
Dr. Amir Noori Esfandiari felt similarly, calling it a “great handpiece, certainly an affordable option compared to the competitors,” while Dr. Davis said, “I really like the head and neck angle. Overall, it’s a very versatile handpiece for multiple clinical situations.” Dr. Johnson summed up her experience by saying, “It’s a solid electric handpiece choice, for sure! I will consider adding several of these to my lineup.”
“It checks all the boxes for an electric handpiece,” Dr. Fine concluded. “It completely worked as described and expected.”
