The Benchmark: Electric Handpieces

REALITY's Top Choices

THE SET-UP

All tests performed in the Reality Research lab are performed by dentists-not students or researchers-in a way that simulates actual clinical procedures as closely as possible.

THE CRITERIA

Ideal characteristics:

• Design of control box
• Head dimensions/angle
• Ease of use for endo
• Prep cutting speed
• Illumination
• Water spray

THE RESULTS

ELECTROtorque plus E, KaVo Dental

Brushless motor, water spray adjustment right at the base of the handpiece, control box that can be programmed with your preferences, and second-best fiber optics. Motor has the largest diameter and may feel too large for those with small hands.

ELECTROtorque TLC, KaVo Dental

Control box is easy to operate, very adaptable for most dental units even if you have been using just air handpieces, awesome number of options, changes very quickly from operative to endo mode, and good torque control and auto-reverse function in endo mode, but fiber optic light is weak compared to others.

Ti-Max NL400,  Brasseler USA

Titanium construction, less bulky and the lowest weight, fastest in our prep tests, has regular and mini-head highspeed attachments, relatively smooth surface is easy to clean, color-coded control box makes switching attachments less confusing.

Optima MX, Bien-Air

Second-fastest handpiece we have tested, brushless motor, described as “robust” by one evaluator and “very versatile” by another, with a speed adaptable for every procedure, very effective water spray and bright fiber optics, unique control box is very intuitive for those accustomed to PDA-type devices and allows more personal programming with your preferences compared to other systems.

For comprehensive information on handpieces and more than 100 other categories of products, please visit realityesthetics.com.

THE DENTAL ADVISOR’s Top Choices

THE SET-UP

Compared with air-turbine technology, electric systems provide a different tactile feel, weight, size and maintenance protocol. Though they are traditionally more expensive than air-driven systems, they are typically lower maintenance and provide versatility for many clinical procedures.

THE CRITERIA

Ideal characteristics include:

• Lightweight
• Multiple attachments
• Brushless motor
• Small head with correct angle for easy access
• Easy to maintain
• Auto-reverse option
• High torque, low noise

THE RESULTS

Selected comments from our consultants…

ELECTROtorque plus E, KaVo Dental

• “By far, the best handpiece that I have used in 30 years of practice.”
• “The air spray is perfect-it was so easy to adjust.”
• “The illumination on the high- and lowspeeds is wonderful.”
• “I love the feel of this handpiece. It works wonderfully for removing old amalgams and crowns."
• “Much quieter than air-driven handpieces.”

E-STATIS Electric System, SciCan

• “I love the presets most; I did not have to adjust.”
• “Touch screen is easy to use-very responsive, even with gloves on.”
• “Handpieces are easy to maintain and sterilize.”
• “Excellent torque.”
• “Control box takes up a lot of room when not mounted internally.”
• “Rotary files seat deeply into the endodontic handpiece, covering some laser marks on the files and reducing the working length by a millimeter.”

NuTorque, DentalEZ

• “Best electric handpiece I have used.”
• “It was easy for our dental assistant to connect to the existing handpiece line.”
• “Versatile; very easy to change from endo to restorative.”
• “Very quiet.”
• “Water shuts off immediately.”
• “Add digital adjustment for water flow.”
• “Make the light brighter.”