Kate Scheer discusses the maintenance of handpieces.
Investing in your handpieces means that you can improve the quality of care that you provide. To protect your handpieces’ longevity, and ensure that they are working to maximum potential so that your patients receive high-quality treatment, it’s important to employ the best methods of maintenance.
The issue of handpiece maintenance and decontamination has become more and more important with the development of automated devices to ensure effective, consistent lubrication dosing to keep the instruments in full working order. These devices not only make handpiece care more effective but also improve the efficiency of the team whilst making sure that your handpieces are maintained and ready for use. Consistent high-quality maintenance extends their working life whilst enhancing the efficiency of the practice team.
The importance of handpiece care
The maintenance process of a handpiece will depend on the manufacturer’s instructions, but HTM 01-05 guidance recommends a detailed clean of the interior and exterior soon after use, followed by a lubrication of the interior framework, before undergoing sterilisation. Lubrication is an important step, contributing heavily to the longevity of the handpiece. By including it within the reprocessing workflow, the moving parts are protected when exposed to high temperatures, pressure, and any debris that could damage the tool.
Lubrication is required for the dental ball bearings to perform optimally, which are, in turn, a primary determinant of handpiece performance. As part of handpiece reprocessing, lubrication can be completed manually or by machine between patients, as well as at the end of the day, or the beginning of the next, as recommended by the manufacturer. This process must be completed regardless of whether or not the handpiece has been used.
Inconsistent maintenance
Lubrication is paramount to providing excellent care in the long-term, but the quality of the upkeep must be dependable. Automated systems can sustain handpieces consistently over time, negating the adverse risks of human error, such as over or under lubricating, influencing the maintenance process.
The amount of lubricant needed is usually small, with two to three drops of oil generally considered sufficient, though it is often administered in a mist or spray. In such a small quantity, it is important to apply enough oil to maintain the quality of the handpiece. HTM 01-05 states that if a dental professional applies an inadequate amount of lubricant, they risk damage to the internal mechanisms.
However, an excess amount of lubricant can also prove troublesome for sustaining longevity and ensuring optimal sterilisation is achieved. The oil should be expelled before sterilising, as its excess could prevent the infiltration of steam to the inner mechanisms and, in turn, the effectiveness of the sterilisation treatment. It could also place further stress on the inner mechanisms as they try to overcome the resistance it leaves. An automated maintenance device can apply the exact amount of oil required repeatedly over time, minimising the risk of over or under-lubrication that is associated with human error.
An efficient option
Automating maintenance procedures can be both financially and time efficient. Firstly, the process requires time between patients and at the beginning/end of the working day to undertake the process: clearing the inner mechanics of multiple handpieces, ensuring each is cleared of debris and appropriately lubricated before being sterilised. Automated procedures allow members of the dental team to reduce the time they commit to the maintenance process, as automated systems can complete it quickly and consistently. The simplified processes may only require a handpiece to be inserted into the device, a button pressed, and then the removal of the handpiece.
Financially, the consistency of the lubrication minimises the risk of damage to handpieces, thereby reducing the need for repair or replacement. Investment in an automated handpiece maintenance device will improve processing efficiency and remove lubricant wastage, thereby amortising the cost of the unit in a short period.
Choosing the right automated maintenance device for your practice can help you save time and money, all whilst maximising the life-span and quality of your handpieces. For example, the Assistina Twin from W&H has a duo-chamber system that lubricates instruments in just 10 seconds each. The second chamber allows a handpiece to be loaded for immediate reprocessing once the first has finished.
The addition of a handpiece maintenance device not only improves the quality of care for your handpieces but ensures optimal efficiency and speed whilst making sure that consistent, superior maintenance and lubrication is guaranteed every time.