Innovator Profile 2015: KaVo

Q&A with Dr. John Flucke, chief dental editor, DPR, and Dr. Michael DiTolla, DDS

One of the leading dental manufacturers, KaVo is known for producing premium dental equipment. Performance, quality and innovation are traditions that have kept KaVo at the forefront of the dental industry for more than 100 years. A commitment to the dental professional and passion for excellence enables KaVo to deliver the best dental handpieces, turbines and other equipment to dentists and dental technicians worldwide.

KaVo MASTERtorque™
Launched last year, KaVo’s MASTERtorque Air Driven high-speed dental handpiece set itself apart by delivering better power, higher precision and a host of new features designed to allow dental professionals to work faster and more efficiently.

Related reading: KaVo Lythos digital impression system released at IDS 2015

The MASTERtorque M8900 L and MASTERtorque mini M8700 L are two of the quietest high-speed air handpieces around. An extremely well-balanced turbine reduces acoustic pressure and high frequency peaks to protect your hearing and helps create a relaxing environment for all. The unique ball-bearing technology guarantees quiet and virtually vibration-free operation. The MASTERtorque combines KaVo’s proven technology with further frequency optimization, designed to provide the best conditions for quiet and comfortable preparation work even at full speed and during stopping of the turbine.

The MASTERtorque provides 23 watts of peak power. According to KaVo’s engineers, this provides the best conditions for comfortable and efficient preparation work. It delivers 20 percent more torque than its predecessor, the GENTLEsilence LUX 6500BR. Without compromising precision, the new handpiece offers stable speed and high torque all the way through the highest power level and efficient, effective preparation work even at low contact pressures.

Related reading: New KaVo ARCTICA Engine released at IDS 2015

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As the director of clinical research and education for Glidewell Laboratories, Dr. Michael DiTolla is at the forefront of how trends in dental materials are impacting other product choices.

“While the fundamentals of dentistry remain the same, developments in restorative materials and technology have created new demands on equipment such as dental handpieces. Advancements in indirect restorative materials and milling technology have led to an increase in the number of patients who have all-ceramic or zirconia crowns,” Dr. DiTolla said. “While these materials have created harder, longer lasting and better functioning restorations, removing them can be a bear.”

Replacing old crowns can comprise as much as two-thirds of a dentist’s crown-and-bridge workflow so with more patients presenting with all-ceramic crowns, the need for power has never been greater.  

Related reading: KaVo introduces new air-driven, high speed handpiece

"For most dentists seeking more power to remove modern crowns more efficiently, the only real option was to switch to an electric handpiece. But with the development of the MASTERtorque, KaVo has set a new standard in air-turbine power,” Dr. DiTolla continued. “Most dentists who stick with air turbines prefer them because of their smaller size and the ability to directly control the unit’s speed through the rheostat in real time, but what they trade for sensitivity is power. This advancement allows dentists to have both.”

Setting a new standard for air driven high speeds, Direct Stop Technology™ stops the bur in less than one second (on average) when the dentist steps off the foot control. This increases working efficiency and reduces the potential for soft-tissue damage. DST also prevents the drawback of aerosols and debris, increasing the life of the turbine and improving overall handpiece hygiene.

“I think every dentist has experienced that stressful moment prepping an upper second molar when the bur is pushed into the patient’s cheek,” Dr. DiTolla said. “Because this handpiece stops so quickly, there is very little danger of harming the patient.”

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KaVo MASTERmatic™
The recently launched KaVo MASTERmatic premium electric handpieces combine a triple gear system, patented access angles and small head size to provide dentists with a confidence only found in KaVo electrics.

The exceptional power and low vibration operation in KaVo’s triple gear system means a greater level of productivity. Combined with the head angle of 100? and the knee angle of 19? similar to the MASTERtorque M8900 L dental high-speed handpiece, dentists can experience optimal access and freedom of work.

As one of the first dentists to test-drive the MASTERmatic, Dr. John Flucke, technology editor for Dental Products Report, was asked to respond to how these technical advances become tangible chairside.

“I think that there are a lot of dentists for whom the super specific technical stuff is just fascinating,” Dr. Flucke said. “I’m the guy who’s impressed by the way the engineering affects my experience. In the case of MASTERmatic, it makes the procedure very, very smooth. There’s incredible torque, and it doesn’t get bogged down.”

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The MASTER series collection now offers a smaller head size option and new mini head version with the same exceptional power and low vibration operation thanks to KaVo’s triple gear system.

“The smaller head size is a win for any dentist. It makes a difference because no matter who you’re working on, a smaller head size means you can see better,” Dr. Flucke continued. “And, yes, kids and elderly patients tend to be the ones you think about with smaller mouths or limited visibility, but I’ve had patients of all ages and sizes who can’t open as wide as I’d like. The smaller head helps me - and anyone - practice better.”

According to Dr. Flucke, his experience with the MASTERmatic represented a shift in what dentists can expect from electrics moving forward.

“I’ve looked at electrics a few different times earlier in my career, and it always felt like three steps forward and two steps back. Electrics were better than air-driven in many respects, but maintenance was a bear,” he said. “In those early days, they would last four times longer than an air-driven, but when they did need to go in for repair, it would cost six times more. Those days are over; durability is no longer a question.
“The torque benefits inherent to electric are also undeniable. You don’t have to crank up an electric as much as the air-driven, which makes a major difference for patients with greater levels of anxiety,” Dr. Flucke concluded. “It also offers power with precision. You can just barely rotate the bur and finish your margins and do more finesse work that just wouldn’t happen with an air-driven because it is more likely to stall. The electric is gentle but effective.”

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Whatever you choose, choose quality
As is evidenced by the insight of two clinicians engaged in industry-wide trends and product testing, there are benefits to both air-driven and electric handpieces. Whatever you or your practice choose, selecting a KaVo handpiece ensures unparalleled quality and performance to make either decision the right decision.

For a free trial of the handpiece of your choice, visit TryKaVo.com.

To learn more about the KaVo MASTERmatic series, watch the video below from IDS 2015:

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