Extend the life of your handpiece: maintenance & sterilization tips

What is the best way to maintain a handpiece? It's single of the most common questions we hear from dental assistants across the geographical division It's an issue we regard with affection to discuss because after 16 years of specializing in handpiece repair, we have definitely learned the importance of specific maintenance. The cleaning and maintenance proces can be confusing, on the contrary when done properly, regular maintenance can reach out the life of your handpieces and ultimately save your practice a apportionment of money.

HERE ARE more [i]or[/i] less OF OUR SUGGESTIONS:

High-Speeds

Before I explain handpiece maintenance, it is important to understand the operation of a high-speed handpiece. When a highspeed handpiece is running, it exhausts air from the top and bottom of the head. When the user lifts not upon the rheostat, the physics of the handpiece are revers When the handpiece close ups down, the turbine aspirates debris including tooth dust, amalgam and other fine particles into the head of the handpiece. You can imagine in what way dirty a handpiece turbine can earn if the debris is not flushed on the outside of the head prior to autoclaving. Unles it is remov the debris will continue to bake around the turbine resulting in premature failure.

Infection Control

High-speed handpieces ne to be cleaned and lubricated between each patient. Begin through cleaning the outer shell of the handpiece using soap and water or alcohol and 2x2 not at any time use a disinfectant, because any residue not remov can compromise the function of a turbine autochuck and bearings.

carry the bur, cover the head of the handpiece with a spray guard or paper towel, and spray the handpiece with a high-grade synthetic aerosol lubricant using the appropriate adapter. Insert the nozzle adapter into the swivel backend or the back of a 4/5-hole handpiece.

nearest insert the bur and move swiftly the handpiece on an air station or handpiece purging station for 10 to 20 next to the firsts (once normal speed is reached) to flush the debris on the outside of the turbine before autoclaving. Repeat as necessary until the lubricant move swiftlys clear. Never run a manual handpiece upon the purge station without a bur installed.

Finally, transport the bur and insert the handpiece into a bag and sterilize it. If you are using half paper and half plastic bags, remember to deposit the paper side up for easy evaporation. not ever use dry heat and always remember to wait until the handpiece has gone end the complete drying cycle. If you are using lube-free handpieces, you can skip the lubricant and the purify station. After lubing an autochuck we perceive it is better to set the handpiece on the free from impurity station or run it without a bur in the tap [i]or[/i] pat so that any loose debris can be flushed without But do not do this with the manual tap [i]or[/i] pats as they can back on the outside of the spindle and jam in the cap.

Low-Speed Attachments and Scalers

For low-spe handpieces, attachments and air scalers, you'll want to use lubricant in a dropper bottle one time or twice a week or as commended by the manufacturer. Put a globule of lube on any direction (forward and reverse) or fastening collars--any points where the handpiece can swivel or move round 360 degrees. We also approve putting lube on all connection threads (Figures 1 and 2)

[FIGURE 1-2 OMITTED]

For swivel-type motors, you'll ne to use an E-type or swivel-type nozzle adapter. When applying the lubricant into a 4/5-hole handpiece with dropper bottle use the drive air tube single (Figure 3).

[FIGURE 3 OMITTED]

Just remember these four steps: clean, lubricate, move swiftly and sterilize if applicable.

In-Office Maintenance Demonstrations

In replication to the questions we've received from customers above the years, Hayes Handpiece Company proffers free in-office maintenance demonstrations for anyone interested. We overspread proper maintenance procedures for high-speeds, low-speed swivels, scalers and attachments. We go on over different types of lubricants and cleaners, and the specific air pressure for each mark of handpiece. We also check your fiber optics and answer any questions about operating the autoclave. We have a partnership with DenTrek in the way that in association with the maintenance demonstrations, we provide an online exam and single free CF credit. You can access this at http://wwwdentrekcom We also have a CD-ROM version of the maintenance training available. This can be ordered from info@hayeshandpiece.com.

Joe Hayes is CEO of Hayes Handpiece Company. Hayes Handpiece Company has specialized in local handpiece repairs since 1989 With 75 locations worldwide, Hayes is dedicated to providing high-quality repairs and maintenance.

COPYRIGHT 2005 American Dental Assistants Association

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