smoother preps when using air-driven hand pieces
When we go through basic training, we learn within the first few minutes of the class about the importance of the 3 Ps – Prep, Powder and Picture.
The success we have with CEREC generally comes down to these three important factors. The better each is, the less work we'll be doing with the software. When I started my CEREC journey, I had a lot of work to do in the prep category. CEREC made me improve that pretty quickly. As every CEREC user knows, when you see what your prep looks like blown up on a screen, it can be very humbling. The beauty is that we can fix it right away and know exactly where the prep needs to be improved.
When I started CEREC, I worked in an office that had electric hand pieces. I loved them. The ability to prep without chatter and to be able to slow down the hand piece to be able to polish it to a smooth finish with sharp margins was amazing. I was able to obtain very smooth preps that imaged so easily that I improved my success with CEREC right off the bat.
I purchased my own practice five years ago. I spent my extra capital on things like a CEREC machine, new computers for the office and intra-oral cameras for the operatories. I was using air-driven handpieces that we had in the office. I really missed the ability to slow down the handpieces and get that nice smooth finish on my preps. I've had Kavo air-driven handpieces since I bought this practice and about four years ago was introduced to a slow-speed head that accepts friction grip heads.
It made me feel like I was closer to having electric handpieces again. I'm not familiar with every brand of handpiece out there, but I would recommend finding out if there is this type of option with the brand of slow speed that you are using. For me, it has made all the difference in the world.
Here is a prep done with that slow speed friction grip:
Do you think you would install electric handpieces if it were a viable option, or is the air driven solution just as good?
I love electrics. when I bought my office 5 years ago, I just could not justify the cost. maybe next year for me. I used them exclusively in my old practice for many years. I had these hand pieces and just purchased that attachment for the slow speed. Electric is most definitely better but this really allows me to smooth out the preps in a similar fashion. the torque and control of the electric just make it a bit easier for me personally.
James, on the kayo slow speed, there is a part of the handpiece that you spin to remove the LG head. you just put the FG head right into there and go. works awesome.
