by Dr Tim Topalov, River Dental, Gympie, QLD
Sadly, I have been extracting teeth for 33 years—sadly because a dentist’s natural instinct is to prevent and preserve. However, when it’s time to go, I want to do the deed as quickly as possible with the least stress to the patient. When it was suggested that I trial the Morita handpiece by Adam from Hayes Handpiece Australia, I thought, ‘Why not give it a try?’
What’s good about it
When extracting, say, a 46, I often slice the mesial and distal contacts to provide a little room for movement and reduce the risk of fracturing adjacent teeth and/or restorations. I then use a luxator and elevator followed by forceps to gain some initial movement, even if the root formation is not conducive to a straightforward extraction. When resistance is great, movement is little and the forceps-hand is fatigued, it is time to section the roots.
Using the Morita to slice the contacts has a nice feel to it. Using the same handpiece to section the crown feels smoother and is a less noisy experience. There was also much less aerosol produced compared with many other handpieces I have used.
The attributes of the Morita handpiece that I like are the enormous torque, the 45-degree smaller fibro-optic head and the air-brake. Most importantly, the design channels the exhaust through the head cap and the body of the handpiece rather than in the direction of the bur and into the working field.
What’s not so good
The only downside is the cost. It’s an expensive piece of equipment.
Where did you get it
Hayes Handpiece Australia (www.hayeshandpiece.com.au).
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