Dental technology and turbines are advancing quickly. To keep your office and patients up with these growing trends, it’s essential to know what is available within the dental turbine industry. It’s easy to identify efficient turbines when you consistently buy the same ones, but what do you need to look for when going beyond your standard tools? Here are a few things to consider when shopping for additional
dental turbines.
How a Turbine Works
To know what instruments work best, you should understand the technology behind the product. Hindawi describes the tool as a small, lightweight device that uses compressed air. Your background knowledge can help identify potential issues that may arise when operating each device. A dental turbine is a revolving tool that uses air compression at high speeds to create resistance to help remove hard material from teeth. However, it functions at such high speeds that the tool is integrated with water to help it cool down.
They May be Small, but They are Mighty
Even though turbines are generally tiny, they include eight different significant parts. Knowing what each part does can help you operate the device more efficiently and understand the competitive market when you need to buy more. The eight pieces of a turbine and their functions are listed here:
- Spindle – The middle rotating shaft.
- Chuck – This hollow piece is located in the spindle.
- Impeller – The impeller is also in the middle of the turbine and allows it to capture air to make it revolve.
- Front and back bearings – Allows the spindle to rotate when reducing friction.
- O-Rings – Create a firm hold inside the turbine head to steady vibrations.
- Washers – Facilitate the mandrel.
- Slinger – Protects other bearings from outside elements.
Things to Consider
Dental turbines have multiple functions and variables, making it essential to know what these are when selecting the proper devices for your practice. Choose a head that provides the best view. Head width and height work together to give you a good sight of operation and movement. It’s also important to consider vibration and torque. Keep in mind that higher vibrating tools create less discernable decibels to patients, which can make their overall visit more comfortable. Devices with higher torque will function better and allow the turbine to keep moving. Other things to look for in a turbine include lighting, power, and grip options. Rough or grooved handles can increase grip. Since turbines don’t last forever, knowing how to replace them will help keep your practice running smoothly allow you to stay up with technological trends.