The term dental handpiece describes the instruments dentists and assisting professionals use to perform procedures ranging from teeth cleaning and cavity filling to preparation and more invasive treatments. They fall into three basic groups:
Low-speed handpieces: Low-speed dental handpieces are common for routine procedures. These tools rotate at speeds ranging from 600 to 25,000 RPM and perform fine tasks without causing damage to the tooth.
High-speed handpieces: These dental handpieces rotate up to 200,000 RPM. Dentists reach for these tools to remove tissue and perform restorative procedures without generating vibrations, heat or pressure. High-speed handpieces offer more efficiency and more precise results for crown preparation and finishing restorations.
Straight handpieces: These handpieces offer many of the same features and capabilities as low-speed tools but have a straight rather than contra-angled design.