Dentaltown October 2014 - (Page 98)

equipment feature Industry Leaders on Industry-leading Handpiece Manufacturers by Kyle Patton, Editorial Assistant, Dentaltown Magazine Drilling in the 6th millennium BC In 2 006 , Nature , a weekly research journal, reported that dentistry circa 5 ,5 00 B .C. was a pain for everybody. In an ancient Pakistani graveyard, researchers digging in the B aluchistan province, uncovered nine rather unique skulls. E ach had evidence of drill holes in their teeth. The ﬁndings, the journal estimated, meant that dentistry was at least 4 ,000 years older than believed at the time. Flint drill heads were also found at the site, leading researches to surmise that a small bow, along with the tiny ﬂint drill tip, were used to burrow into patients' teeth. While signs of ﬁllings were not found, evidence of cavities were, dismissing theories that the drill holes were placed in the teeth decoratively or after death. Handpieces, whether in their brutally primitive original forms or in the modern-day technological wonders that are capable of 38 0,000rpms (fastest on the planet), have always been the single-most important tool for a dentist. Understanding the 1 1. A. Coppa, et al. "Palaeontology: Early Neolithic tradition of dentistry." Nature. 6 April 2006: 755-756 98 OCTOBER 2014 » dentaltown.com history and the advancements of the handpiece helps the practitioner appreciate how far it's really come. Roots Handpieces in the 19 5 0s were monsters. G iant, belt-driven contraptions that had a top speed of 5 0,000rpms and were loud enough to cause hearing damage over a long career chairside. Things got better, slightly, when Sir J ohn Walsh pioneered one of the earliest air-driven, high-speed handpieces which dramatically reduced preparation time. With higher speeds came increased heat, and water spray features made their way into the handpiece's growing list of attributes. Using more than two gallons of water a minute, designs like Walsh's air-driven handpiece began to change how dentistry was performed. B y the 19 8 0s, optic ﬁbers debuted and dentists had precision lighting at the cutting area for the ﬁrst time. More and more handpiece manufactures entered the arena. http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown October 2014

Dentaltown.com Highlights
Howard Speaks: Debt and Cash Flow
Professional Courtesy: The Amazon Question
Continuing Education Update
According to the AAP, Periodontal Disease is Associated with Heart Disease
Teach Me Ideal Dentistry for Veneers
Appointment Flow
HIPPA, HITECH, ePHI: OMG, What a PIA
Second Opinion: The $63,750 Obamacare Incentive — Is it Worth It?
Doctor’s Biggest Financial Mistakes
CAD/CAM Dentistry: Exploring the Possibilities
Productive CAD/CAM Dentistry
Product Profile: Bluephase Style LED
Product Profile: Enamelon Preventive Treatment Gel
Product Profile: G-ænial Bond
New Products
Composite Materials for Optimal Restorative Results
A Step-by-Step Guide to Developing, Promoting and Staging a Successful Community Event
Better, Faster, More Effi cient Dentistry
Industry Leaders on Industry-leading Handpiece Manufacturers
You Should Know: PACE Marcom
Poll
Ad Index
You Should Know: Triology
Digital Marketing by the Numbers
Perio Reports
How to Perform a Painless Perio Probing
Step 5: Refl ect on the Program
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown October 2014