What is Dental Handpiece?
A dental handpiece (also known as dental drill) is a precision-built mechanical device used in dental treatment to removes decayed tooth material prior to the insertion of a dental filling.
Dental handpieces can be classified according to the revolutions per minute (rpm) or speed at which they operate. One type is the low- or slow-speed, and the other is referred to as the high-speed contra-angle. Both the low- and high-speed dental handpieces use an air system to operate several parts of the handpiece. The main function of the air is to rotate the air turbine or vane drive. Basically, this means the air system is the main power source for these handpieces.
Modern dental handpieces can rotate at up to 800,000 rpm, and generally use hard metal alloy bits (actually small rotary files) known as 'burs'. Dental burs come in a great variety of shapes designed for specific applications. They are often made of steel with a tungsten carbide coating, or of tungsten carbide entirely. The bur may also have a diamond coating.
Dental handpieces can be classified according to the revolutions per minute (rpm) or speed at which they operate. One type is the low- or slow-speed, and the other is referred to as the high-speed contra-angle. Both the low- and high-speed dental handpieces use an air system to operate several parts of the handpiece. The main function of the air is to rotate the air turbine or vane drive. Basically, this means the air system is the main power source for these handpieces.
Modern dental handpieces can rotate at up to 800,000 rpm, and generally use hard metal alloy bits (actually small rotary files) known as 'burs'. Dental burs come in a great variety of shapes designed for specific applications. They are often made of steel with a tungsten carbide coating, or of tungsten carbide entirely. The bur may also have a diamond coating.