How Well Do You Know Your Handpiece Turbine?

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By: Dental Product Shopper
7/21/2023

How Well Do You Know Your Handpiece Turbine?

 

In a market with no shortage of subpar dental parts, Star handpiece turbines are handcrafted to the highest standards—offering a 1- or 2-year warranty and easy in-office replacement

 

 

Jordan Ellis, a sales representative for DENTALEZ, recently received a call from a dental practice in Pennsylvania concerned about frequent servicing for their 6 Star handpieces. The problem? Each handpiece needed to be repaired after just 3-6 months. After inspecting the handpieces and doing some research, Ellis discovered that the issue stemmed from the use of inferior turbines in the handpieces. The practice manager had a system in place to request authentic Star parts, but unfortunately, this request was not being honored.

 

“Inferior parts don’t just create more need for maintenance, they actually damage and shorten the life of a Star handpiece, which can ultimately lead to faster replacement,” said Ellis. “We’ve made our handpieces to be precise, provide maximum power and output, and produce minimal noise. If you put in a piece that’s not made to fit our specifications, the handpiece simply won’t perform the same—from comfort and precision to power and safety.”

 

Buyer Beware: Inferior Turbines

 

The turbine inside a dental handpiece consists of 3 main components—bearings, an impeller, and spindles—that over time can deteriorate due to normal wear and tear. Just as handpieces vary in terms of quality, durability, precision, and strength, the components inside them are also crafted to different standards that impact the lifespan of the turbine.

 

Using an inferior turbine can have consequences. A cheaper and lower-quality turbine will have a shorter lifespan, requiring more frequent replacements and increased costs and maintenance. More importantly, it can pose a higher risk of injury to both patients and staff. For example, an inferior turbine might have fewer spindle arms, leading to a less secure hold on the bur that reduces grip strength. These are reasons why turbine components inside Star handpieces carry a 1- or 2-year warranty.

 

Confidence through Quality

 

If you find yourself replacing your turbine more than once a year, you may have purchased an aftermarket turbine, which can lead to significant costs and disruptions in your practice. Unfortunately, there are numerous aftermarket replacement part brands in the market, and it’s easy to inadvertently purchase an inferior part. The lack of regulation or information at the point of sale often results in retailers and repair shops unknowingly buying subpar parts.

That said, some manufacturers go above and beyond to ensure that their handpieces and turbines meet and exceed dental professionals’ expectations. For example, Star handpieces and their parts are handcrafted to the highest standards.

 

The Bottom Line

 

Let’s consider the cost-benefit analysis. Repairing an aftermarket turbine typically costs between $150 and $200, about half the cost of repairing a Star turbine. Aftermarket turbines tend to last around 5-6 months, while Star turbines last 1-2 years.

 

So, in the best-case scenario, you break even with the inferior turbine. However, more often than not, you face increased maintenance costs that quickly accumulate, along with the inconvenience of relinquishing your handpiece for repair. Moreover, using an inferior turbine shortens the lifespan of your handpiece due to increased wear and tear. Most importantly, the risk increases, and when you consider the potential costs of accidents, the overall impact on your practice can be substantial.

 

It’s worth asking your repair shop which turbines they use. They may not even be aware of the options available or the lack of standards and regulations surrounding turbines. Additionally, inquire about available warranties.

 

Bottom line: It’s crucial to ensure that only genuine, high-quality parts designed specifically for Star handpieces are used to maintain their optimal performance and longevity.

 

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