W&H makes history
It has always been people who, with their spirit and commitment, have contributed to the successful development of W&H. Hilde Malata, Co-founder
Innovation and tradition: W&H leads the way in dental technology. It can look back on more than 120 years of experience in manufacturing high quality dental products. Today, W&H stands for innovative product and service solutions with a strong focus on research and development.
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1890 — The beginning
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The start of a success story:
Precision engineers Jean Weber and Hugo Hampel found a company to produce handpieces/contra-angles — the W&H brand is born.
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1895 — Universal handpiece with adjustable head angle
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As early as 1895, W&H’s universal handpiece with adjustable head angle provided flexibility and optimum access to the treatment site. |
1926 — Endo Cursor
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In 1926, W&H developed the Cursor, the first file contra-angle handpiece. This innovation revolutionised mechanical root canal preparation. |
1933 — An idea is born
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In 1933, W&H technician Dr Roda had a moment of inspiration — the idea of integrating a light source into W&H instruments was born. The details of Roda’s idea can be seen from his technical records and old prototypes. Unfortunately these designs were ahead of their time, since the necessary light technology had not yet been developed. However the idea was not forgotten. |
1939 — No electricity? No problem!
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In 1939, W&H developed a foot-operated drilling machine. Using this machine, dental treatment procedures could be performed entirely independently of an electricity supply. The bur was rotated by pressing down on a pedal, in a similar way to an old sewing machine. The product was a real hit in countries with a limited electricity supply. The last foot-operated drilling machines were delivered to Poland and the Republic of Congo in 1955. |
1959 — Portable drilling machines
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The first portable drilling machines came onto the market in 1959, making on-the-spot treatments possible at any time. This benefitted patients enormously. Thanks to these drilling machines, bed-ridden patients could simply undergo treatment at home or in hospital. |
1960 — The first W&H series turbines
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Turbines have been part of the W&H range since 1960. W&H captured the market with the “Turbo 60”. The W&H turbines stood out thanks to their integrated rapid heating function for water and air. This function had the advantage that both dentist and patient no longer had to wait for the water and air to warm up. This was particularly beneficial for patients, who often had to suffer cold water being poured over the treatment area. |
1960 — Turbine cabinet device
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As early as 1960, independence was the watchword at W&H. The turbine cabinet device allowed the user to work independently of the dental unit. The stand alone device was completely independent from all other installations and was on castors, meaning that it could be moved around the room with great flexibility. This independence was made possible by an integrated water tank, boiler and air compressor. The only requirement was an electricity supply. |
1976 — Everything in hand
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The typical W&H multi-sided grip profile was first introduced to the market with “series 76”. The new grip profile significantly increased safety for both dentists and patients. The instruments also featured an innovative aluminium alloy, which at the time was the latest trend from the field of space research. The design of these handpieces/contra-angles was also absolutely unique. |
1978 — Roto Quick
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The first Roto Quick coupling appeared on the market in 1978. This unique swivel coupling for turbines meant that, for the first time, it was possible to rotate the instruments through 360° freely and easily, meaning that instruments could be changed rapidly and safely. Interesting aside: the Roto Quick was first presented at an exhibition in Lugano. On the morning of the exhibition opening, the Roto Quick was found to have disappeared. At first the W&H employees thought that it was a prank by a colleague, but unfortunately this was not the case. |
1979 — Press button chuck
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1979 saw the introduction of the world’s first press button chuck for turbines. The press button chuck was a major innovation, which made working with the instruments significantly easier. For the first time, it was possible to change the bur by simply pressing a button on the back of the instrument head.
Up to then, this procedure had required a bur changer but thanks to W&H's innovation, this was no longer necessary.
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1982 — Full speed ahead
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1982 saw the market launch of the new “Inco” high-speed contra-angle handpieces. These were available in a 1:4, 1:4.5 and, from 1993, in a 1:5 version and marked a milestone in dental history. |
1982 - Elco 2
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In 1982, the Elco 2 revolutionised the day-to-day work of dental technicians in the area of hand grinding devices. The first brushless motor had a significantly longer lifespan. With a top speed of 45,000 rpm, the processing of different materials was made much easier. The idea was to create a device for all materials; the result was a true innovation for its day. |
1983 — Powerful technology for minor surgery
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In 1983, W&H developed “Elcomed”, the most powerful and rapid device for minor operations of its day. The motor reaches a drive speed of up to 45,000 rpm. This device has firmly established W&H in the area of oral surgery. Today, it is impossible to imagine oral surgery without W&H products. |
1989 — Excalibur
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In 1989, W&H presented the Excalibur, a highly unique Endo contra-angle handpiece. The special feature of this instrument was that its movements adjusted as it performed root canal preparations. The file therefore did not move in a fixed pattern. The main advantage of this technology was that the Endo file was better able to follow the natural shape of the root canal than conventional instruments, meaning that perfect results could be achieved when cleaning root canals. |
1992 — Assistina
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W&H has been successfully operating in the market since 1992 with the “Assistina” instrument maintenance system.
At the time, it was a truly unique concept. When other manufacturers were only offering lubricant guns and sprays as maintenance options, W&H launched the Assistina and revolutionised the market.
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1995 — Low emission
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The launch of the 898 LE (low emission) turbine in 1995 was a real highlight in the history of W&H. This instrument was the quietest and, at the same time, the most powerful turbine of its day. The turbine's excellent power transmission meant that the idle mode speed could be reduced to 300,000 rpm. |
1999 — LISA
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The “LISA” sterilizers produced by W&H Sterilization in Italy are firmly established in the top quality segment of the market for Class B benchtop sterilizers. LISA sterilizers are exclusively designed to offer Class B cycles and can thus be used to sterilize all types of instruments and loads. Lisa sterilizers are vacuum autoclaves, which means that they safely sterilize hollow and inner spaces. |
2001 — Implantmed
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An implantology motor for absolute precision in dental implants: with Implantmed, W&H finally managed to break into the field of implantology. Implantmed is now the most successful implantology device in the world. Implantmed is a carefully thought-out complete solution; it is the first implantology device which is both extremely easy to use and extremely powerful. |
2007 — Penta spray
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In 2007, W&H became the first company in the world to develop and launch turbines with a five-output spray. The Penta-spray’s five nozzles ensure optimum cooling and cleaning. |
2007 — Synea WA-99LT
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In 2007, W&H set the benchmark even higher. With the contra-angle handpiece WA 99-LT from the Synea series, W&H offers the smallest treatment head with multiple spray. The WA 99-LT is also the first contra-angle handpiece with Penta spray. |
2007 — LEDs: the very latest innovation
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In 2007, W&H presented a real sensation. The new Synea generation included the first turbines in the history of dentistry to be fitted with sterilizable LEDs. W&H became the first manufacturer in the world to produce turbines with sterilizable LED technology. The advantages of this technology, to name just a few, are the possibility of working in daylight quality light, the larger illumination area and the fact that the instruments are completely sterilizable. |
2007 — LED light for everyone
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In order to make the advantages of LED technology accessible to all dentists, at the IDS 2007, W&H also introduced surgical handpieces/contra-angles with generator technology. The electricity for the light is generated independently of the drive motor by a generator which is integrated into the instrument. The principle is similar to that of a bicycle dynamo. Thanks to this technology, LED light is now available to all our customers with any dental unit and any dental motor, without any need for further investment. |
2007 — A perfect world
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From the very beginning, the Perfecta 900 was also an innovation in the truest sense of the word — the most powerful laboratory motor on the market. The all-in-one principle means that all materials can be processed. Integrated cooling, a sealing air system, a blow-out function on the handpiece and two automated modes are just some of the functions which make the device so indispensable for dental technicians. In addition to the standard laboratory motor, a second motor handpiece can be operated. With a speed of up to 100,000 rpm, this handpiece is more than a replacement for the laboratory turbine and ideal for processing zircon. The extremely small operating controls are the icing on the cake of this truly exceptional device. |
2009 — LEDs be independent
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In 2009, W&H further enhanced its leading role in the area of LED light technology. The launch of the Alegra generation means that W&H now offers contra-angle handpieces with independent LED light. Thanks to the generator technology, every treatment room can now benefit from perfect LED light. With Alegra, independent LED light is available not only for surgical applications but also for areas such as restoration & prosthetics and prophylaxis. |
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