Q&A: Ask The Expert: Interview with Bob Margeas on Electric Handpieces

I started using electric handpieces in 1995 after reading about them in dental journals. I also read that 90% of European dentists were using electric handpieces versus only 10% in the United States. I had read about the many advantages with electrics and wanted to try the technology. I purchased my first electric handpiece from Bien-Air that year at the Chicago Midwinter meeting. 

The advantages are many, including: speed control gives me a lot of procedure versatility, consistent torque regardless of speed or pressure applied when cutting preparations, and cutting efficiency is significantly better with an electric handpiece. You can cut a crown prep much faster than with air. 

No, not that I can think of in clinical practice. Air-driven handpieces might be less expensive, however the benefits of electric handpieces far outweigh any cost difference in my opinion. 

Most dentists were taught using air-driven handpieces, and some may be concerned about weight as electric handpieces are a little heavier. I don’t find the weight to be an issue for me, but there is a short learning curve to overcome. The weight on the Bien-Air handpiece is different than some other electric handpieces; the Bien-Air handpiece is more ergonomic and I’ve never felt hand fatigue although I know some dentists are concerned about this. I believe once a dentist tries an electric and sees the cutting efficiency, they would never go back to air. 

It doesn’t take long to become comfortable with an electric handpiece - maybe a few procedures or a day of practice at the most. Getting used to the weight, feeling the torque without the handpiece stalling out and the overall cutting efficiency doesn’t take long. With air-driven, cutting off a crown takes time and generates heat and often I experienced the handpiece stalling out. With my Bien-Air electric handpiece, it cuts like butter; the cutting efficiency is very noticeable right away. 

With an electric handpiece, you need fewer attachments. With my Bien-Air, I can do all my restorative work from cutting crowns, refining margins to texturizing composite surface and polishing, all with one attachment. You can also do surgery, implant placement and endodontics with the addition of some converters for latch-type polishers or files; the speed control is a real advantage. Another key advantage is the speed of which I can cut a prep and the control I have - you do not have to push as hard with an electric handpiece due the consistent torque. With air-driven you feel more resistance when cutting, so cutting off crowns is much more efficient and the ability to slow the handpiece down for margin refinement or to texturize my composite restorations, and, I can’t overstate this feature, being able to adjust speed without switching attachments improves my clinical efficiency and results. 

I do all my margin refinements dry and I don’t experience heat generation - but I prefer to use water when cutting a crown prep. Being able to reduce the water with my electric handpiece could reduce the production of aerosols which I feel is an advantage these days. 

I’ve had two or three other brands of electric handpieces but I am most comfortable with Bien-Air. I feel the bearings last longer and certainly more than air-driven. I like the weight and texture of the Bien-Air handpiece and the size of the head is smaller than some others. I feel any electric handpiece is better than air-driven in my hands, and I’ve been using Bien-air electric handpieces in my practice for many years. I couldn't imagine switching back to air.  

I think the ROI is significant because I am much more efficient. If I am more efficient, I have more time to do more procedures. I feel I've also had less breakdown and maintenance costs compared to air-driven and it's quieter for the patient.