Maintenance and Sterilization of Dental Handpieces

The dental handpiece is an essential component of the armamentarium of a dental office for procedures such as cavity preparation, tooth preparation for aesthetic and prosthodontic procedures, polishing and prophylaxis, implant preparation, and many other procedures. Performing these procedures would not be possible without dental handpieces. During these procedures handpieces are contaminated with blood, saliva, and other potentially infectious materials. Consequently, to prevent transmission of infectious agents from one patient to another, handpieces must be sterilized between each patient’s use. Handpieces are also complex and expensive devices, and proper cleaning and sterilization practices must be adhered to ensure sterilization and minimize costly repairs and/or replacement. Dental practitioners should be knowledgeable about the proper cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance of the dental handpiece.