air vs electric handpieces

[koobpheej]

Anybody know if there is a major difference in air vs. electric handpieces. At Arizona, they mention that they will have Kavo electric handpieces almost constantly. But at UOP they said that the technology is still new and "unproven." Looking for other ideas out there.

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[DrJeff]

Here's what my own experiences have been in my office.

Electric: - about 33-50% of the noise of an air, slightly heavier than an air, and a more restrictive cord connecting the unit to the handpiece. Performance wise, the electric has more torque, so it won't stall out like an air can(this is both a pro and a con). The electric also tends to feel like it won't cut as easy as an air until you get used to it. The biggest downside though to the electric is that they're currently alot more expensive than the airs

Air: - 2 to 3 times louder than the electric, lighter and it comes in more head sizes (read as smaller) than the electric. Less torquey, but easier to cut teeth with initially since it has more tactile feedback than the electric. They also cost much less than the electrics

In general, with both at my disposal, I'll use the electric exclusively for crown and bridge and endo access, and oral surgery(no risk of air emboli with surgical extractions), but I still like the "feel" for restorative procedures, although I'm changing over fairly quickly.

BTW, patients LOVE the quieter electrics.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Originally posted by koobpheej
At Arizona, they mention that they will have Kavo electric handpieces almost constantly. But at UOP they said that the technology is still new and "unproven." Looking for other ideas out there.

Which is interesting (a little?) since Dr. Dugoni, the dean at UOP, is also on our faculty board.

BTW, the technology is in no way "unproven," the benefits are completely proven and very easy to demonstrate, as are any negatives.

 

[Midoc]

I read some posts over on Dentaltown a few months ago where some electric handpieces were overheating and severely burning the patients mouths. Here is the post if you are registered at Dental Town and interested in reading it.

http://www.dentaltown.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=21907&sessionID={76F7F244-BF29-47CB-B02B-D836B70C6094}

To me it seems that electric handpieces are very good but not quite as reliable as the good ole' air turbine.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Dan, thanks for the link. It could be a manufacturing problem, rather than a problem with the technology itself.

I don't know enough about any of this to really comment any further, but I always appreciate the insight from Townies!

 

[Jone]

wear earplugs if you go air. that stuff will make you lose your hearing in a few years.

Originally posted by ItsGavinC
Dan, thanks for the link. It could be a manufacturing problem, rather than a problem with the technology itself.

I don't know enough about any of this to really comment any further, but I always appreciate the insight from Townies!

 

[ItsGavinC]

Originally posted by Jone
wear earplugs if you go air. that stuff will make you lose your hearing in a few years.

Oh don't worry, no air for us at Arizona--only electric.