Dental handpieces are precision instruments used for drilling, polishing, and shaping teeth, operating at high speeds. These devices contain small internal components, such as bearings and turbines, subjected to significant friction and heat. Proper maintenance, particularly lubrication, is essential to minimize friction, prevent premature wear, and ensure performance and longevity. Neglecting lubrication can lead to mechanical failure and costly repairs.
Preparing the Handpiece for Lubrication
Immediately following any procedure, disconnect the handpiece from the dental unit’s tubing. The first step requires removing any attached dental bur or cutting instrument. This prevents damage during subsequent cleaning and lubrication.
The exterior of the handpiece should be wiped down with a soft cloth or a disinfectant wipe to remove surface contaminants like saliva and debris. Internal cleaning is equally important, often involving flushing the internal channels with a dedicated handpiece cleaner to remove bio-particles and fluids.
After cleaning, dry the handpiece completely, sometimes by running it for 20 to 30 seconds to expel residual fluids. Lubrication should never be attempted on a dirty or wet handpiece. Moisture or debris can mix with the oil, leading to a gummy residue when exposed to the high heat of sterilization.
Applying Lubricant: The Manual Process
Manual lubrication typically uses an aerosol oil spray, requiring a specific nozzle adapter to connect to the handpiece’s rear end. For high-speed handpieces, the lubricant must be directed into the drive air tube. This tube is usually the smaller of the two largest holes in the connection port and delivers air to the turbine mechanism.
The appropriate nozzle adapter, often specific to the handpiece brand, is secured onto the aerosol can and inserted firmly into the correct port. Spray the lubricant into the handpiece for one to two seconds until the oil emerging from the head runs clear. This clear appearance confirms the oil has penetrated and flushed contaminants from the internal turbine bearings.
Low-speed handpieces operate with gears and often have multiple components, such as a motor, straight handpiece, and contra-angle attachment. Each component requires lubrication at its connection points. Oil is applied through the drive air hole, but a dropper is sometimes preferred over an aerosol for low-speed attachments to avoid over-oiling. Excess lubricant can cause the instrument to run sluggishly.
Completing the Procedure
Once lubricated, the handpiece must be “purged” to distribute the oil and expel any excess or contaminated fluid. Purging is performed by reconnecting the handpiece to the dental unit and running it for 10 to 30 seconds. This ensures only a clean film of lubricant remains on the internal parts, preventing the oil from baking onto the ball bearings during sterilization.
Running the handpiece prevents excess oil from congealing into a hard residue that could impede performance. A paper towel placed beneath the head catches the expelled oil; if the oil is discolored, the entire cleaning and lubrication process should be repeated. After purging, wipe the exterior casing again to remove any surface oil residue.
The handpiece is then ready for sterilization. Proper lubrication immediately before autoclaving is important because the sterilizer’s heat can damage unlubricated components. The clean, lubricated instrument is placed into a sterilization pouch, sealed, and processed according to manufacturer instructions.
Automated Lubrication Systems
Many dental practices utilize automated lubrication systems, such as maintenance units like the Assistina or Statim, to standardize and expedite the process. These systems replace the manual steps of cleaning, lubricating, and purging a handpiece. The handpiece is inserted into the unit’s coupling, and the machine executes a pre-programmed cycle.
Automated units offer significant advantages in consistency, efficiency, and precise dosage control. They dispense the exact amount of lubricant and often use compressed air for integrated cleaning and purging. This mechanical process minimizes the risk of human error and ensures the internal lumens are properly treated.
While the method is different, the underlying principle of cleaning, lubricating, and purging the instrument remains the same. These systems can process multiple handpieces in a single cycle, often in seconds, saving substantial time compared to manual application. The precise application contributes to extending the operational life of the handpieces.