Handpieces Head Size and Angulation: 2024 Buyers Guide

The Effect of Sound in the Dental Office:

The connection between sound and human senses is undeniable, directly influencing the overall emotional well-being of an individual. Within dental offices, both dental staff and patients are exposed to a myriad of sounds, and these auditory experiences can be perceived as negative. In dental healthcare units, the presence of anxious and phobic patients is a common occurrence, with these individuals being particularly sensitive to both sound and touch. The heightened sensitivity to sound can lead anxious patients to become uncooperative and potentially more challenging to manage, often resulting in avoidance of dental visits. Additionally, age can play a significant role in how noise is perceived and the accompanying emotions it evokes. This is especially true for children, as aspects of dental treatment that evoke fear are often sensory in nature, such as the sound of a dental drill.

It is a known fact that dental professionals have a high risk of developing hearing loss. Much of the hearing loss experienced by practitioners directly relates to the use of loud dental handpieces, over time.

Not only does a loud handpiece hurt a dentist’s ears, but it may make patients uncomfortable and may even increase dental anxiety. It is best to opt for air-driven dental handpieces that operate in the range of 58 decibels to 71 decibels.

The Ergonomic Design of Modern Handpieces

Practitioners with relatively small hands face an increased risk of substantial fatigue when tasked with supporting an unbalanced load of this nature. Fortunately, there are new modern handpieces, namely made of Titanium, crafted specifically for weight-balancing purposes. These innovative titanium handpieces boast evenly distributed weight, tipping the scales at a mere 2.5 ounces, and have a unique touch feeling.

Many dentists use dental handpieces for several hours each day. This level of use may result in health issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome, pain, and nerve damage. You should always opt for those handpieces that have the ergonomic design of a wide, flared shape towards the end area of the instrument. This will help in reducing fatigue of the hand and the wrist.

In recent years, few modern manufacturers introduced a series of high-speed handpieces featuring significantly broader grip elements on the handpiece’s body, promoting a more comfortable hand position. The presence of texture translates to enhanced traction. This expanded grip concept has now been integrated into the design of a novel high-speed handpiece.

Furthermore, the texture and material on the instrument shaft play a crucial role in influencing a clinician’s pinch/grip. Therefore, incorporating some form of texture or ribbing proves beneficial in enabling clinicians to delicately grasp the handpiece while still maintaining control.

There are several considerations to choosing air-driven dental handpieces for your practices. In this guide, we have reviewed head size and head angulation, noise level, and ergonomic design.
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