Follow These Handy Tips to Avoid Dental Handpiece Repair with Proper Maintenance
Dental handpiece technology has advanced over the years, from air driven models to more modern electrical handpieces. Regardless of the model or make, these tools remain a vital component of dentistry today. The maintenance and care of these utensils is essential to conserving the proper function of the instrument as well as to avoid premature dental handpiece repair.
Every dentist knows their handpiece is one of the most important pieces of dental equipment in the practice. As a dentist, handpiece repair can cut into your time but most dental offices have plenty of backup handpieces available just in case it requires repair. However, for maximal handpiece performance, appropriate maintenance is essential. According to many dentist handpiece repair labs, improper and inadequate maintenance is the number one cause of premature dental handpiece repair.
Here’s a list of tips for proper cleaning and maintenance to avoid dental handpiece repair:
• In accordance with FDA and CDC recommendations, before and after autoclave cycle cleaning, sterilization and lubrication of each handpiece is required. If this procedure is followed routinely by the dentist, handpiece repair will not be required as the integrity and longevity of the turbine will be insured.
• You can use soapy hot water along with a tooth brush to clean the handpiece, handle knurls and threads.
• You should never immerse a handpiece in any cold chemical disinfectant that contains acids, phenols, or chlorines. That’s because these chemicals can damage or even corrode certain metals.
• The exterior of the dental handpiece can be washed with a germicidal detergent.
• Don’t remove the turbine when cleaning the handpiece.
• In order to decrease potential damage of the o-rings, the quick disconnect/connections of the handpiece should be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol.
• By using acetone or isopropyl alcohol along with a cotton applicator, the fiber optic surface of the handpiece can be thoroughly cleaned.
• Be sure to avoid picking up the fiber optic ends of the instrument with any sharp utensils.
• To avoid dental handpiece repair, be sure to only use approved lubricants, such as those recommended by CDA.
• Once the handpiece has been properly lubricated and before autoclaving, be sure to purge or flush the handpiece.
• The top three recommended Flush Systems include: Part #HF-100, #HF-010, & #HF-400.
For more information on dental handpiece repair and maintenance, click here.
