ABSTRACT
The development of the high-speed handpiece is a story of fast-moving change. Few of today's practicing dentists worked during the days in which use of low-speed, belt-driven handpieces was the norm for cavity preparation and there were no high-speed drills. During the decade of the 1950s, sweeping changes came about with the introduction of the high-speed handpiece and the associated promulgation of air abrasion and ultrasonic methods for cavity preparation. Researchers and developers from New Zealand, Sweden and the United States played parts in this chronology of events. Dental practitioners have used the high-speed handpiece for over forty years and, although laser technology has been introduced and air abrasion has been re-introduced, there is no prospect of replacement of the high-speed handpiece in the foreseeable future.
Subject(s)
Dental High-Speed Equipment/history , Dental High-Speed Technique/history , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , Humans , Tooth Preparation/historySubject(s)
Dental High-Speed Equipment/history , Europe , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , Japan , New Zealand , United StatesABSTRACT
This brief history of the dental diamond bur is intended to provide both a historical perspective and an evaluation of the current state of bur technology. An understanding of the origins of dental diamonds and the issues facing manufacturers transforms the dentist from a simple user into an informed consumer. The author contends that this can improve dental care and enable the dentist to collaborate with manufacturers in developing improved dental burs.
Subject(s)
Dental High-Speed Equipment/history , Dentistry, Operative/history , Dentistry, Operative/instrumentation , Diamond , Disposable Equipment/history , Equipment Design , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , Humans , Industry/history , Technology, Dental/history , Technology, Dental/instrumentationABSTRACT
A dental historian eulogizes the handpiece as a symbol of the profession. The popular image, especially in literature, of a whining instrument for inflicting pain is contrasted to dentists' appreciation for the technical sophistication and functional elegance of this indispensable tool of the trade.
Subject(s)
Dental High-Speed Equipment/history , Dental Instruments/history , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , Humans , Literature, Modern/history , Medicine in Literature , Poetry as Topic/historySubject(s)
Dental High-Speed Equipment/history , Air Pressure , Europe , History, 20th Century , Japan , Rotation , United StatesABSTRACT
The high-speed air turbine handpiece is currently used for most dental cutting procedures and has been in widespread use for more than thirty years. Although reports of its historical background have been previously published these have not dealt with all relevant developments and some inconsistencies exist. The history of the development of turbines and their application in dental cutting systems from the late 19th century to the present day is now reviewed. An historical account of the recognition of benefits that may accrue from rotary cutting at increased speeds is given and the various attempts that have been made to design equipment capable of high speeds are discussed. Consideration is given to the development of non-rotary cutting devices, as is the failure of these adequately to replace the air turbine handpiece for routine work. It is concluded that the air turbine handpiece will continue to hold a leading position in the field for some years to come but that future improvements would be facilitated by the development of an understanding of the theoretical aspects of its behaviour.
