ELECTROtorque plus - Brushless Electric System

Q1: What is an electric handpiece?

The term electric is, indeed, misleading. The proper description is actually electric-driven handpiece. Nonetheless, electric is a widely accepted term within the industry. An electric system consists of a control box, tubing, electric motor, and various handpieces for high- and low-speed applications. The control box easily installs into existing dental units and is air-activated.

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Q2: What are the main benefits of an electric handpiece vs. an air-driven system?

• Smooth, quiet operation and consistently high torque throughout the entire speed range are the two most important features that distinguish an electric motor from an air-driven high- or low-speed handpiece. The torque produced by an electric is nothing short of amazing! An air-driven high speed will lose power when put under pressure, but an electric will maintain its speed, because the motor will take up more energy. This is especially beneficial during gross reduction procedures. There is no "chatter" when removing old metal-based restorations or when prepping for crowns and bridges. The consistant torque allows the clinician to easily produce accurate, defined, and smooth margins, leading to better impressions and perfectly fitting indirect restorations from the laboratory. Since the attachments in an electric system are all gear driven, clinicians experience quiet operation and less vibration to their hand and concentric cutting on the patient's tooth.
• Another benefit is that the speed can be accurately controlled through speed selections on the control box. Both KaVo electric systems can also be calibrated, allowing an infinite feathering of speed with the foot control.
• An electric handpiece system is an all-in-one approach that can be used for high-, low- and ultralow-speed applications simply by changing the speed settings on the control box or by switching from a high- to a low-speed attachment. The 701KL electric motor itself has a speed range up to 40,000 rpm. Varous attachments can bring that speed up to 200,000 rpm at the bur for high-speed cutting or down to under 50 rpm for ultralow-speed applications.

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Q3: Is 200,000 rpm too slow for high speed preps?

It is correct that an air-driven high-speed runs much faster (350,000 - 400,000 rpm) than an electric-driven high-speed. However, as soon as an air-driven high-speed touches the tooth, the speed will drop to under 200,000 rpm, making it much more difficult to create an accurate margin. The electric will cut steadily with 200,000 rpm.

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Q4: I always hear that a brushless motor is better than a brush motor. What is the difference between the two?

A conventional brush motor has carbon brushes that transmit the electricity onto the rotor to make it turn. The carbon brushes wear down over time and they need to be replaced. The brushes also produce carbon dust, that needs to be cleaned out of the motor. Although it is not an expensive repair, many clinicians don't want to bother to send a motor in for maintenance. A brushless motor works without carbon brushes. It uses a completely different electric technology based on magnets.

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Q5: I hear that an electric handpiece is heavy, unbalanced and too large for molar preps. Are there any improvements?

Weight reduction and improvement of balance were two of the major focuses of manufacturers this past year. KaVo introduced a shorter version of their brushless motor this year, the ELECTROtorque plus. An electric handpiece is heavier than an air turbine, however, the clinician can still benefit from an electric system that offers a motor and attachment with similar weights to avoid hand fatigue. Nearly all clinician who used an electric are quickly getting used to work with the slightly bigger handpiece. KaVo now offers a high-speed attachment (25LPA) that features new angulations and the smallest head with a triple-port spray. This handpiece allows dramatically improved access in the molar region.

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Q6: What about maintenance and repairs?
The electric motor should not be sprayed with lubricant; it only needs to be regularly wiped down. The outer sheath can be removed for further cleaning. Brushless motors are very robust. Other than occasionally changing the light bulb - which can be easily done by the assistant - the motor should require no repairs.
KaVo attachments should be cared for regularly to remove debris and dust to ensure that the precision gears are running smoothly. KaVo Spray of the automatic KaVo QUATTROcare will ensure that maintenance is performed correctly every time, leaving the assistant more time to attend patients. Attachments, especially the high-speeds, will need to be sent for repair once in a while to exchange ball bearings and gears in the handpiece head. Frequency of repairs depends on usage and on how well the handpieces are maintained. Insist on KaVo manufacturer repair to ensure proper run and genuine parts.
Maintenance should always be done prior to sterilization.

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Q7: All brands claim constant torque. Is this true?

Under heavy loads…NO. Some electric systems adjust to low speed operation by slowing down the motor which reduces torque. The KaVo motor always runs at an ideal speed. Bur speed is reduced through gearing in the attachment. The result is more available torque at all speeds.

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Q8: Does KaVo overload delay increase torque?

Yes. When the motor is overloaded (too much torque required) there is a three second delay before the KaVo unit shuts down. The doctor feels the overload, reduces pressure and the unit resumes normal operation. In this way, you can push maximum torque without shutdown.

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Q9: Does transformer size effect torque?

No. Transformers have nothing to do with torque. Amps needed depend on motor design and KaVo motors out-torque the competition using only a 4 AMP transformer.

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Q10: What differentiates the ELECTROtorque plus from the competition?

Just to name a few differences: The ELECTROtorque plus with the new 701 motor is THE system featuring one of the shortest and lightest electric motors. The motor is maintenance-free and brushless. There are two programmable speed settings which can be individually selected by the user. It is a system which can be calibrated to the existing air pressure for optimized performance. In addition, many users like the possibility to adjust the water spray directly at the back of the motor. The GENTLEpower LUX 25LPA attachment features a unique triple-gear system. Its ergonomic design and small head provides easier access in the molar region without compromising spray quality and cutting efficiency.

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Q11: Which is better, titanium or stainless steel?

Both are excellent materials, but with titanium instruments, only the outer sheath is made out of titanium—not the inside— the heart of the attachment. KaVo is not actually using “real” stainless steel—it is a special type of stainless steel—a highly durable nickel-silver alloy with a hygienic Plasmatec coating. KaVo's experience shows that attachments made of the same metal withstand sterilization better as the possible corrosion between different metals is dramatically reduced.

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Q12: Are titanium attachments lighter than other attachments?

Claims that titanium handpieces are 30% lighter have to be questioned—KaVo verified that the actual weight difference is only ~12%. However competitors' motors can be up to 20% heavier and they are also much longer than the KaVo motor, resulting in an unbalanced combination. When comparing weights—make sure to look at the entire motor/attachment combination and check how well balanced it feels in your hand.

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Q13: Does ELECTROtorque plus work with “E”-type attachments?

Yes. KaVo actually invented the INTRAmatic (E-type) system. All KaVo attachments are “E”-type attachments.

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Q14: Is my local support a mailman or an authorized KaVo dealer?

KaVo is proud to partner with the leading dental distributors. Together we make sure your practice is running smoothly.

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Q15: Does KaVo offer a built-in option?

Yes. The brushless 701KL motor is also available as a seamlessly integrated option in KaVo's the environment™ operatory system.

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Q16: Do I still need an air compressor even though it is an electric driven system?

Yes. The compressor is still needed, as this system is air-activated. In addition, the air is needed for the chip air, which atomizes the water spray to a fine spray mist.

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Q17: Do I need a new foot pedal?

No. Your existing foot pedal will be used to activate the electric motor. You can even feather the speed with your existing foot control.

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Q18: Do the KaVo heads and attachments withstand autoclaving as well as your air high-speeds?

Yes. KaVo is known worldwide for their durable high- and lowspeed handpieces. If the attachments are maintained correctly with KaVo Spray or, ultimately, the automatic QUATTROcare maintenance system, your handpieces will withstand autoclaving as well as your air high-speeds.

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