Quality Is Key for Long-Term Success
Investing in high-quality, restorative handpieces minimizes disruptions in chair time, maximizing patient treatment efficiency.
Reliability and consistent outcomes are everything in dentistry. Anyone can have success with a procedure once or even multiple times, but can it be done consistently at an optimum level? One important aspect of excellent dentistry is high-quality, reliable materials and products at a reasonable price.
My experience with many inexpensive handpieces is that they seem to be in the repair shop more than they are in my hands treating patients. I became frustrated with the lack of quality and reliability of what I was using. This caused frequent disruptions in chair time and resulted in a poor experience for patients and staff.
Consistent, Reliable Handpieces Do Exist
I was first introduced to W&H products when I began placing implants using the company’s Implantmed and Piezomed module surgical devices. Hands down, they have been the most reliable and consistent pieces of equipment I use. They never quit and I’ve been very pleased with their performance. When I realized W&H also offers a restorative line of handpieces, I was thrilled and soon discovered what I have been missing in a consistent and reliable handpiece.
I haven’t had any issues with my W&H Synea Fusion TG-98, and the time I have saved for myself, my team, and my patients has been invaluable. This handpiece is a consistent workhorse that doesn’t break down, doesn’t have internal parts loosening, or latch issues that need constant repairs. It has the most consistent cutting power and reliable irrigation from the handpiece — not only keeping the tooth cool but providing excellent visualization of the treatment site.
Impact on Patient Experience
Using reliable, high-quality handpieces and equipment in our practice has a lasting impact on our patient experience. This patient presented with many cavities, chipping, and fracturing of the upper front teeth among other issues. We were able to do full coverage crowns to help him smile again with confidence using the Synea handpiece.
The photos were taken the day of delivery, so the gums have now healed very nicely and the lower teeth with decay were also treated shortly after this treatment. This represented only a portion of the patient’s treatment process, with several subsequent phases planned. Step by step, we give patients a plan for their individual needs to help them regain their smile, health, and confidence.
Take Your Own Advice
If you discourage patients from choosing low-cost treatment options to avoid compromising on quality and patient satisfaction, dentists should follow their own advice and not cut costs when choosing products. You do get what you pay for. Much of this can be summed up with this quote from John Ruskin, a 19th century English poet: “There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that person’s lawful prey. It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money — that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot — it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”
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From Decisions in Dentistry. April/May 2024; 10(3):23
