Dental Handpiece Lubrication
Why Dental Handpiece Maintenance is Critical for Your Practice
Dental handpieces are among the most crucial and costly equipment in a dental practice. They are used daily and play a vital role in patient care, which makes their proper maintenance essential.
Routine handpiece maintenance ensures that they remain in optimal condition, extending their lifespan and improving performance. In the long run, this not only protects your investment but also minimises the likelihood of malfunctions, saving both time and money.
While maintaining handpieces may seem straightforward, it requires careful attention to detail. Understanding how to simplify cleaning processes and which tools to use can help your handpieces perform at their best, providing smooth operation and better outcomes for your patients.
Following Manufacturer Guidelines
There is a wide variety of dental handpieces available, each with distinct features and internal components. It is critical to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for both operation and maintenance.
One of the most common mistakes is improper air pressure usage. Contrary to popular belief, higher air pressure does not equate to better performance; in fact, it can damage the handpiece, even at lower speeds. Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines to determine the ideal air pressure settings.
Moreover, using non-recommended products for cleaning and maintenance may void your warranty and cause damage to the handpiece.
Sticking to manufacturer-approved products is essential for prolonging the life of the equipment and maintaining warranty coverage.
Best Practices for Dental Handpiece Care
Handpiece lubrication is one of the most critical aspects of maintenance.
It is generally recommended to lubricate handpieces before sterilisation, as quality lubricants are designed to withstand the heat of the sterilisation process. However, be cautious not to over-lubricate, as excessive lubricant can clog the mechanism and degrade performance.
Choose a handpiece lubricant with cleaning properties to keep the internal mechanisms in good working order. This can save time and effort, as well as maintain the cleanliness of your dental handpieces.
For consistent results, it's wise to use a lubrication device designed for dental handpieces. This ensures even distribution of lubricant and proper maintenance.
Automating Handpiece Maintenance
With the complexities of dental handpiece care, manual maintenance can be time-consuming. That’s where automatic maintenance systems come in.
For instance, the W&H Assistina TWIN is a cutting-edge device that provides thorough and efficient lubrication in just 10 seconds.
Using a combination of pressurised air and oil nebulisation technology, the Assistina TWIN simultaneously cleans and lubricates the internal mechanisms.
The device is equipped with a dual-chamber system, allowing it to process up to 360 handpieces per hour. This ensures your handpieces are always ready for use, and significantly reduces downtime in your practice.
Benefits of Automatic Handpiece Lubrication Devices
Investing in an automatic lubrication device like the Assistina TWIN offers several advantages:
- Reduced staff time: Automatic devices take over labour-intensive tasks, freeing up valuable staff hours for other duties.
- Consistent lubrication: Automatic systems ensure that lubrication is applied evenly, reducing the chances of human error.
- Controlled oil and air flow: These devices maintain optimal oil and airflow, preventing over- or under-lubrication.
By streamlining the maintenance process, automatic handpiece lubrication systems can extend the life of your handpieces, enhance performance, and allow you to focus more on patient care.
Choose Dental Handpiece Lubricantion
Handpiece maintenance is a vital part of keeping your dental practice running smoothly.
Regular, proper care using manufacturer-approved methods and products will help you avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your equipment.
Whether you opt for manual or automatic systems, ensuring your handpieces are well-maintained will ultimately benefit your practice, your team, and your patients.
In the pursuit of the ultimate ease of use, NSK has given iCare the power to perform automatic maintenance for up to four handpieces at once.
When it comes to maintenance devices, the W&H Assistina Twin stands alone. With its innovative duo-chamber system, super-fast lubrication and environmentally friendly Care Set, it impresses on every level.