Information provided by KaVo America.

	If Dr. Marty Jablow ever had to get rid of his electric handpieces, he doesn’t think he’d want to practice dentistry anymore. 

	That’s because electric handpieces like the 

 are just so much easier to use, he says, making him more efficient, reducing the amount of time patients spend in the chair and improving final outcomes. 

	“When you see that you can do things faster, you realize you might actually be able to see more patients in your day,” says Dr. Jablow, who’s been using the MASTERmatic handpieces since they came out last year. “What used to take me an hour now takes me 40 minutes.” 

Related testimonial: How KaVo handpieces allow this clinician to enjoy dentistry more

	The efficiencies Dr. Jablow describes and the improved outcomes are a direct result of the precision the handpieces offer. They’re designed to enable clinicians to easily achieve a smooth cut the first time, and that helps ensure dentists finish procedures faster and with more confidence. 

	Reduced vibration and the enhanced head/knee angle combination also improve your experience, observes KaVo Product Manager Stephanie Goss. Instead of fighting the handpiece as you try to see the area you’re working on, the handpiece does the work for you-and that means less hand and wrist fatigue. Goss says users will find it’s easier to achieve optimal results, leading to happier patients who might even be inclined to accept more treatment down the road and to refer you to family and friends. 

	“Electric handpieces are much lighter than they used to be,” Dr. Jablow notes. “The head size and the angle are much improved to give you better balance and visibility, making preparations easier.”

	When the team at KaVo designed the MASTERmatic electric handpieces, they focused on making them more precise, Goss says. Not only do they feature Triple Gear Technology to reduce vibration for a more precise prep, the 100°/19° head/knee angle combination gives clinicians maximum visibility and freedom of movement-and that enhances efficiency. 

	“Overall, KaVo strives to develop the most innovative products to advance dental technology and improve lives,” Goss says. “Every aspect of our product development process focuses on the end user with the goal of providing the most precise instruments on the market.” 

	And the fact that you can set both torque and the RPMs helps ensure precise cutting no matter the procedure, Dr. Jablow notes. 

	“You can dial in the exact amount of torque and RPMs for the handpiece to get the job done. It’s not one-size-fits-all. You can be very precise because you can set both torque and RPMs,” Dr. Jablow says. “Efficiency comes from the power of the handpiece. The handpiece is best for direct and indirect restorations because it cuts more efficiently and can speed up the procedure when compared to an air-driven handpiece.”

Related: Why this handpiece was a game-changer for one practice

	Next: How this precision benefits patients and benefits you

	Triple Gear Technology is engineered to reduce vibration, leading to a more precise, smoother prep and ultimately a better seal for crowns and other restorations. So patients not only spend less time in the chair, there’s no need for them to come back for repeat visits because something went wrong the first time, Goss says. They walk out of your office with a long-lasting, durable restoration. 

	Patients also have a better experience while in the chair, Goss notes. Less vibration from the handpiece not only makes users more precise, it makes the procedure much more comfortable for patients. MASTERmatic handpieces are designed to be much quieter than what patients typically have experienced with noisy drills in the past. The head/knee angle combination makes it easier for you to comfortably reach the areas you need to access during a procedure, so you no longer have to keep asking patients to open their jaw wider, which could lead to discomfort and jaw fatigue. 

	“It’s more comfortable for dentists and the patient and it also leads to a more relaxed atmosphere,” Goss says. “Dentists can have those better clinical outcomes because they’re not battling some of the other issues.”

Related: How to get the most out of your electric handpiece

	If you spend less time performing certain procedures, you can see more patients throughout the day-boosting practice productivity and your bottom line, Goss notes. She says that with the MASTERmatic series you can quickly and accurately complete restorations. The precision the handpieces provide means there’s no need to re-work cases, which can be both costly and time consuming.   

Articles

Dr. Marty Jablow shares the benefits of using the KaVo MASTERmatic handpiece in his practice.

I Use That: KaVo MASTERmatic handpiece

	When Dr. Lawrence W. Kolar was in the market for a new electric handpiece, his needs were twofold: He was looking for more torque but less vibration than the current model he was using.  

	After a one-week trial run with the new KaVo MASTERmatic M25L (1:5) and the KaVo MASTERmatic M05 L mini (1:5) models, he was convinced. Only a week later at the ADA annual meeting, Dr. Kolar went straight to the KaVo booth and placed an order for seven handpieces. Here, he tells us why:

	What was your initial assessment of the handpieces?

	My first reaction was that there must be something wrong with the handpieces because there was such a low sound when I turned them on! I assumed they were running at a much reduced RPM than the old electrics that I then had been using. To my surprise, the dental unit indicated that the handpiece was running at the proper speed. 

	When I used some carbide fissure burs and diamond crown preparation burs on some extracted teeth that I had, I was amazed at the rapid rate that the handpieces could cut, with minimal noise, minimal vibration and a smoother cutting surface. It was hard for me to believe that anything with that power could operate so smoothly and also be relatively lightweight and possess a relatively small head. The balance of the handpiece in my hand was remarkable. 

	I think that when purchasing handpieces, it is best to look at more than cutting power, but the cutting power is what surprised and pleased me the most on the new KaVo models.  That said, “uncontrolled power” is useless, so I have to point out that it was the combination of power, complemented with the smoothness, quiet operation, lack of noticeable vibration and the balance in my hand that sold me on KaVo.  It was the package of all the aforementioned attributes that made KaVo the most logical choice for me.  

	Many times, [dentists] purchase “must-have” equipment that later does not live up to our expectations. This buyer’s remorse often times makes us reluctant to make further purchases of other, needed equipment. However, in the case of my KaVo purchases, I have experienced absolutely no buyer’s remorse. Indeed, I intend on purchasing additional KaVo handpieces (both the M25L 1:5 models, plus the slow speed electric attachments, which I also own). The performance of these handpieces is superior to anything that I have ever owned or tried.

	I have pointed out my new purchases to my patients. I mention to them that I always update my practice with new, improved equipment and materials, so I point out the handpieces and the fact that they are smoother, quieter and have very little vibration. Numerous patients have responded that based upon their own past experiences in my office, that the new KaVo models are quieter and smoother. Believe me, people are much happier with this type of experience and they tell me so!

	Why would you recommend this product to colleagues? 

	I have recommended the KaVo M25L (and even the M05L for dentists who have lots of [pediatric] patients, or for dentists that want the minimum head size without sacrificing power). My recommendations are always based upon my experience with the KaVo handpieces, plus my experiences with other brands. I tell them the truth. In my experiences, the KaVo M25L is the best dental handpiece available on the market. 

For more information about the KaVo M25L or any other KaVo handpiece, call 888-ASK-KAVO or visit 

Dr. Lawrence W. Kolar tells Dental Products Report about his experience using KaVo MASTERmatic handpieces.

Why this handpiece was a game-changer for one practice

 streamlines laborious manual processes and preps multiple handpieces for sterilization, in just two-to-three worry-free minutes.

Jeanne Godett, RDH, has worked in practices that clean and lubricate their 

 manually. In these environments, the manual process is slow and always causes a backup of clean, patient-ready handpieces.

Basic handpiece maintenance rules indicate that handpieces should be cleaned and lubricated prior to each sterilization cycle, which ensures that they operate at peak performance and last longer. However, it takes time to go through the proper manual process.

Handpieces are often poorly maintained-oil may be hastily applied and never reach the bearings, for instance, or excess oil may remain in the handpiece and get baked into the turbine during sterilization-which could cause damage over time. Even when enough time is set aside for thorough maintenance, it is not a task many dental professionals look forward to and used handpieces tend to pile up on a busy day.

At the push of a button, the QUATTROcare PLUS system allows up to four handpieces to be maintained at one time, and quickly, so you never need to worry about being without the tools you need. It also does the job thoroughly, every time.

QUATTROcare PLUS “takes the human error out of the equation,” Godett said, because the fluid levels and process for excess removal are the same with every cycle. Operator inconsistencies during manual maintenance may create a need for repairs, whereas with the QUATTROcare PLUS, Godett said “the handpiece is guaranteed to be treated with the respect it deserves, for years of flawless use.”

Godett estimates that she now saves about 10 minutes per patient with the QUATTROcare PLUS system. Because she is not rushing to lubricate, purge and sterilize between patients, she saves up to 80 extra minutes each day, and these saved minutes translate to saved dollars for her practice.

Watch the video below for an overview of the QUATTROcare PLUS system's features and benefits

Godett uses this time for better customer service and for patient education.

“The time should be spent with our patients providing excellent customer care,” she said. “Repeat customers means a financially stable, profitable practice.”

Doctors, she added, would probably find they are saving even more time by using this system because they generally see more patients per day than hygienists.

Beyond being a time-saver for those who already know how to use the QUATTROcare PLUS system, individuals who have no training can learn quickly. It is comprised of “easy steps,”  Godett said, and bringing new dental professionals up to speed on its proper use is simple. “Snap [handpieces] into place and push the button,”  Godett said. The QUATTROcare PLUS system doesn’t have a significant learning curve, saving her practice time and training dollars.

Godett and other dental professionals know proper maintenance takes a lot of time, which is scarce in a bustling dental practice, and that improper maintenance causes handpieces to fail prematurely. Luckily, the QUATTROcare PLUS is a one-stop solution to both of these problems.

This system pays for itself, Godett said, because of the quick and simple cleaning and maintenance and because handpieces go down less often.

“I would estimate the amount saved on a daily basis, in time alone, to be over $70 per hygienist,” she said.

TIPS: 8 things to remember about handpiece maintenence

 Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding air pressure specifications, found in the manual. Higher air pressure does not mean higher performance. Paying attention to the manufacturer’s specifications could avoid serious damage to the turbine, regardless of whether you are working with a high- or low-speed device.  

 Remember to use manufacturer-approved tools on your handpiece, or refer to your manufacturer to have them repaired. Even if pliers seem like the obvious solution to a small problem, this could cause damage to the handpiece, or even void your warranty.

 Remember to wipe your handpiece down with warm water, or warm water with a mild, manufacturer approved detergent prior to lubrication and sterilization. Using strong chemicals to do this is usually unnecessary, and may even cause problems with chemical interactions during sterilization. Do not submerge the handpiece in any liquid, unless the manufacturer’s manual explicitly directs you to do so.
	
	4. 

 Make sure you are using the drive air port (the smaller of the two) to apply your lubricant, rather than any other opening in the handpiece. This opening is the only direct path to the turbine.

 Remember to apply enough lubricant to your handpiece. It may seem logical to keep lubricant to a minimum, avoiding excessive internal residue, but you should make sure you can see the lubricant in the head before you stop application. Usually a two-count is sufficient.

 It is crucial to remember to eliminate excess oil to avoid clogged bearings in your handpiece. Run the handpiece for 20-30 seconds, or use an air flush station, after you have lubricated. (In some cases, the excess oil may be discolored, and you can repeat this process until the oil is clear, ensuring a deep clean.)

 Remember to clean any fiber optic surfaces with a cotton swab and alcohol, preventing the buildup of debris that may affect light transmission. Do not use any sharp instruments to clean the fiber optic ends.

Remove the bur and release chuck levers during maintenance and before sterilizing. Compression of any springs and levers during heating may cause them to weaken, shortening the life of your handpiece.

Learn how the KaVo QUATTROcare PLUS streamlines laborious manual processes and preps multiple handpieces for sterilization, in just two-to-three worry-free minutes. 