Dental Handpieces & Parts

Why handpieces fail

Poor maintenance is what breaks most handpieces, and Practice Tip #9 singles out two causes: inadequate lubrication and inadequate sterilization care. Bearings are the most common failure point of a turbine (Practice Tip #70), so lubricate after every use, before the handpiece goes into the sterilizer.

Couplers, connectors and leaks

Handpiece couplers come in ISO types A, B and C, each with its own hole set-up (Practice Tip #36), so match the hole count before you order a connector, tubing or gasket. Replace coupler O-rings about every six months. A handpiece that leaks at every station usually points upstream: check the junction box for 80 psi air and 40 psi water under flow (Practice Tip #136).