The best type of handpiece lubricant to use on your handpieces is a synthetic lubricant. For years now, I have been using a 100% synthetic handpiece lubricant called Syntek with all of my handpiece repairs. I am convinced Syntek is a superior handpiece lubricant that will enable your handpiece turbines to perform better and last longer. Virtually all of the doctors that have ever purchased Syntek from me over the years continue to use Syntek to lubricate their handpieces. Syntek is a cutting edge handpiece lubricant. Most handpiece lubricants are petroleum based mineral oils containing contami ..read more

My goal is to help you achieve the longest life and best performance possible from your handpiece repairs. When it comes to high-speed handpieces, properly maintaining their turbines is the number one way to accomplish this goal. Three of the most commonly abused maintenance and operating procedures that lead to premature turbine failure are: Neglecting your turbine autochuck Too Much Air Presure Improper Lubrication Fortunately, each of these factors are easily preventable. Below are tips on how you can prolong the life of your high-speed handpiece turbine. Chuck Maintenance As debris accu ..read more

These maintenance procedures are intended for lube-style handpieces that require lubrication after each use. Perform procedure after each use: Remove handpiece from unit tubing. With bur inserted, spray a good burst of lubricant into drive air port. The best type of oil to use is a synthetic because it won’t burn off during autoclaving. Find out why synthetic is a superior lubricant here. Rotate bur between your fingers forward and backward for 10 seconds. Re-connect handpiece to unit tubing and run for 30—45 seconds. You will see oil coming from the handpiece. If the oil is black, grey or di ..read more

Have you ever found yourself running short on handpieces and having to use one hot out of the autoclave? If you have, you’re not alone. This is actually a common practice in many offices. In trying to diagnose why handpiece turbines are not lasting as long as they should, this often overlooked practice can be the primary culprit. The Problem When you use a steam based autoclave to sterilize your handpieces you should always allow them to cool completely before using them. The reason cooling is required, is that during the autoclave process water condensation forms inside the handpiece.  T ..read more

Two Common High Speed Handpiece Problems Two of the most common high speed handpiece problems I hear about are poor torque and slipping burs. Poor Torque Poor torque can be caused by a number of factors, but it is usually the result of wear and tear to the turbine bearings. Once the bearings begin to break down, replacing them is the only effective way to get your torque back. High Speed Overhaul When the turbine chuck (the part of the turbine that holds your bur in place) is in good working condition, (meaning burs are not slipping) we can replace the bad bearings and O-rings on your turbine ..read more

Have you ever wondered, what factors affect the life of your high-speed handpiece turbines? Several independent studies have been conducted over the years to answer that question. The United States Air Force conducted one of these studies in 1993. They carefully monitored ten specific performance criteria using nine different handpiece models. Each handpiece was subjected to 1,000 use & sterilization cycles that were controlled to ensure each handpiece was subjected to identical clinical use and proper maintenance procedures. The conclusion  Assuming the handpiece is properly maintain ..read more

Do Flush debris from the handpiece Clean the chuck mechanism Properly autoclave the handpiece Properly lubricate the handpiece Operate handpiece at the recommended PSI Check autoclave for proper operation Check air lines for contamination Use sharp burs during procedures Properly insert the bur, all of the way into the chuck Don’t Use a chemical disinfectant prior to sterilizing Use an ultrasonic cleaner on the handpiece Immerse the handpiece in any solution Lubricate in the wrong hole Use the wrong lubricant or not enough lubricant Autoclave the handpiece with oil in the head Autoclave wit ..read more

Lube-free style turbines are designed to be maintenance free and should not be lubricated. If you accidentally lubricate a lube-free style turbine, you should continue to lubricate it from that point on. The reason is, lube-free turbines are self lubricating because their bearings are packed with grease. If you lubricate them, the oil will wash away the grease in the bearings and the bearings will begin to run dry and become hot. This will make the bearings fail prematurely. So, once again, if you accidentally lubricate a lube-free turbine you should start using the standard lube-style turbine ..read more

Beware of inexpensive, counterfeit handpieces being sold primarily over the internet to dentists looking for a good deal. These illegal counterfeit handpieces are represented as being manufactured by companies such as Kavo® or NSK®. They may even bear official looking trademarks making them difficult to distinguish from the real thing. Most of these products are shipped from the People’s Republic of China. These counterfeit products may not meet legal requirements in terms of merchantability, design, workmanship and safety. Neither NSK® or Kavo® will accept any liability for any damage or loss ..read more