…Because the Dental Handpiece isn’t the Only One of its Kind
If you’ve ever been to the dentist, you’ve probably seen a dental handpiece, sometimes referred to as a dental drill. Though it’s the part patients most often fear, the rise of high-quality dental handpiece technology and repair parts has actually revolutionized safety and sterilization effectiveness. However, despite all the innovative safety modifications, putting the words drill and teeth together in the same sentence can still make patients cringe. But perhaps looking at other uses for the dental handpiece can make the experience feel less scary. Though patients often regard the handpiece in dental terms, different handpiece uses actually branch out to a variety of industries. Here are a few of the most common examples:
Nail Salon
Many estheticians rely on drills or handpieces to get their job done quicker, benefiting both the salon and the client. Not only that, nail handpieces are also easier on the technician and some even claim using a handpiece has helped them avoid the cramping and carpel-tunnel syndrome that comes with filing nails manually all day. However, specialists suggest using a manicure handpiece on acrylic material only, as natural nails are quite soft and susceptible to damage. Like with a dental handpiece, estheticians must ensure their drills are sanitized and in working order at all times and that’s why having them professionally cleaned once a year and regularly inspected is highly recommended.
Veterinary Office
Our furry friends have teeth too and that’s why most veterinary clinics rely on a different version of the dental handpiece to keep Fido’s teeth healthy and clean.
Podiatrist
Podiatrists actually use three different handpiece variations: spray drills, dust extraction drills and drills meant for domiciliary work. The dust extraction handpiece is particularly important as it helps podiatrists vacuum up any dust, skin cells, and potentially harmful fungi while working on a patient.
Woodworking
When a large saw and drill just won’t do, wood carvers rely on handpieces or drills to complete some of the more intricate work.
Dentist Office
Finally, we come back to the dental handpiece and its many uses, which you are likely aware of already. What you may not know, however, is that a high-speed dental handpiece will rotate at around 250,000 RPM, which is around 100 times that of a DeWalt drill!
A dental handpiece or drill might sound scary for patients, but the reality is we use, see and rely on handpieces and drills for a variety of everyday uses.