1. My Cavitron® insert/hand piece is getting hot when in ... - Dentsply

1. My Cavitron® insert/hand piece is getting hot when in use
Possible causes
A. Lack of water flow
B. Incorrect power setting
C. Damaged/worn insert
A. Lack of water flow
Lack of water flow is the most common cause of inserts and hand piece becoming hot during use.
The first thing to check is that the water flow control adjusts correctly. The water flow control can be
found on the end of the hand piece or on the front of the Cavitron unit (depending on the type
Cavitron unit you have). Remove the insert, press the foot pedal and turn the water flow control
from minimum to maximum. This will then allow you to see the water flow go from nothing to more
than you need.
If the water flow level does not adjust or very little water flows from the hand piece, check and
replace the in-line water filter. The water filter will be in the water supply line/hose, or in the water
chamber on your Cavitron Select. Please refer to your Cavitron Directions for Use for information on
replacing the water filter. The filter should be clean and white in colour. If it is brown, green or any
other colour it will need replacing.
If replacing the filter does not restore flow, check your water supply. If you are happy the water
supply is correct and you still have no flow the unit will need to be returned to the
DENTSPLY Service Centre.
B. Incorrect power setting
Incorrect power setting/levels can cause inserts to become hot in use. Not all inserts are the same
and they require different power levels to work correctly. Please check the Cavitron pocket guide for
the particular inserts you are using.
C. Damaged/worn insert
Damaged or worn inserts can become hot in use because they have lost efficiency. Clinicians will
usually run these inserts at a much higher power level in order to achieve efficiency. However this
additional power will not drive the mechanical movement (which is required) but it will create heat.
Check how efficient your Cavitron insert is by requesting your Cavitron Insert Wear Evaluator.

2. My Cavitron® insert keeps popping out of the end of the hand piece or leaks in use
Possible causes
A. Water flow levels set too high.
B. A worn O-Ring in an insert.
C. Worn hand piece, Steri-mate or jet-mate.
A. Water flow levels set too high
Inserts that pop out of the hand piece during use normally occur because the water flow/pressure is
set too high for the type of insert used. This is not to be confused with water leaking from the
sealing O-Ring. (See worn O-Rings). The through flow insert (TFI) range requires more water than
the focus spray inserts (FSI). If the FSI inserts are forced to have the same amount of water as a TFI
insert then there will be a build-up of pressure that will force the insert out at the end of the hand
piece causing leakage. In order to prevent this from happening carefully adjust the water flow
control to minimum. Hold the hand piece upright and press the foot pedal until hand piece fills with
water. Click the insert into place. Press the foot pedal and slowly increase the water flow level until
you get the desired flow/atomisation from the insert.
B. A worn O-Ring in an insert
A worn O-Ring will normally result in a water leak from the joint at the end on the hand piece and
the insert. In order to prevent this from happening replace the O-Ring. See our You Tube tutorial on
how to replace your O-Ring. If the leak persists, see below.
C. Worn hand piece, Steri-Mate or Jet Mate
Worn hand pieces, Steri-Mates, Jet Mates and ‘handpiece assemblies’ can become worn or damaged
which will cause them to leak water from the joint at the end of the hand piece and the insert. First
check the O-Ring on the inserts. Try all your inserts in the hand piece to establish if all of them leak
or only some. If you find only some inserts leak then the O-Ring will need changing. However if all
inserts leak then the hand piece will need replacing. For a Jet Mate and Steri Mate hand piece these
can be ordered through DENTSPLY Rewards. For fixed lead hand pieces this will need to be sent into
the DENTSPLY Service Centre for the hand piece assembly to be replaced.

3. Water keeps flowing out of the insert/ hand piece
Possible causes
A. Air entrapment in the hand piece and insert.
B. Faulty internal water solenoid/shut-off valve.
A. Air entrapment in the hand piece and insert
If water runs after you have taken your foot off the foot pedal this could be caused by air
entrapment in the hand piece and insert. To resolve this; hold the insert and hand piece upright with
the cable downwards and activate the foot pedal for 3-5 seconds; this will purge any air from the
hand piece and help to prevent the water running on.
B. Faulty internal water solenoid/shutoff valve
If water is running from the hand piece continuously, even when the Cavitron unit is switched off,
the only way to stop the flow is to isolate the water supply. This will result in a problem with the
internal water solenoid/shut-off value. Return the unit to DENTSPLY Service Centre for the valve to
be cleaned or replaced.