Indirect and Direct Restorative Protocols - Caulk

› PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES
Handpiece Selection
for Optimal Results in
Restorative Dentistry
› Abstract:
The dental handpiece is a
mainstay in clinical practice.
Numerous handpieces are
available, and selecting
among their various features
can have a considerable
influence on the restorative
outcome. The Midwest ®
Stylus ATC handpiece
(DENTSPLY Professional,
York, PA), developed through
a close partnership between
manufacturer and clinician,
combines the features
of air-driven and electric
handpieces into a single
instrument that provides the
superior access, light weight,
and comfort of the former
with the power and efficiency
of the latter.
One of the most ubiquitous
instruments in
all of dentistry is the
handpiece. Selecting the
appropriate handpiece
for any dental procedure solves many of
the clinician’s concerns prior to his or
her initiation of tooth reduction. The use
of a handpiece that will address the full
range of clinical applications is, therefore,
critical to restorative success (Figure 1).
The primary considerations when one is
choosing a handpiece include: its power
and torque (Figure 2), the cutting efficiency
of the device, the access and
visibility it requires, and the unit’s ergonomics
(Figure 3). A handpiece with
constant cutting speed and adaptive
capabilities affords the benefits of a highpowered
handpiece and a precision refining
instrument. The Midwest® Stylus
ATC (DENTSPLY Professional, York,
PA) handpiece offers the unique ability
to instantly adapt to increased loads by
increasing the power of the handpiece.
Selection of a device with a rigid bur
suspension will offer superior precision
control for the development of precise
margins. Ergonomics also play a key role
in the practitioner’s selection of an appropriate
unit. As handpieces are used
in virtually every aspect of dentistry, a
lightweight, balanced unit such as the
Stylus ATC will ensure operator comfort,
improved tactile feel, and enhanced
patient care.
Visibility of the treatment site is important
throughout care. Handpieces
equipped with air and water spray not
only aid in the cooling of the device but
also help maintain a clear operating
field for the operator, due to their small
head size (Figure 4).
In comparison to electric options,
air-driven handpieces are lighter in
weight and offer smaller head designs
Dentistry and photography
courtesy of David A. Little, DDS,
San Antonio, TX.
Figure 1. The use of a
powerful, hybrid air- and
electric-driven handpiece
provides increased power
and torque, with enhanced
effi ciency for any type of
tooth reduction.
Removal of preexisting
restorations is enhanced
with a high-powered
handpiece operating at
a constant speed.
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