Contra-angle Handpieces at their limit: Challenges of modern restorative dentistry

Insights from Dr Wolfgang Tautschnig

The continuous advancement of restorative dental materials places increasing demands on contra-angle handpieces and instruments, which must deliver durability, efficiency, and precision. Dr Wolfgang Tautschnig, an experienced dentist from Salzburg, tested the Synea “Power Edition” by W&H over several months and shares his insights from everyday clinical practice.
The specialised handpiece was primarily used for demanding procedures such as cutting crowns and bridges. This article not only presents the advantages of the new high-speed handpiece, but also illustrates its clinical performance through two exemplary patient cases.

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Increasing Demands on the Processing of modern Materials

The continuous development of dental materials is leading to increasing demands in restorative dentistry. Over the past two decades, zirconia has emerged as one of the leading materials for crowns and bridges due to its outstanding hardness, longevity, and aesthetic appeal. These characteristics make it a preferred choice for patients seeking a high-quality, long-lasting solution.

However, these same characteristics pose significant challenges for clinicians, particularly when existing restorations need to be removed or replaced. Older, more brittle types of zirconia require specialised techniques to avoid damage to instruments and inefficiencies in treatment workflows. Conventional handpieces often reach their limits, as processing these materials requires high cutting force, which can accelerate bur wear and reduce overall efficiency. Given the increasing prevalence of zirconia and other high-strength materials in dental practices, the development of specialised tools and technologies is crucial for overcoming these challenges.

The Synea Power Edition: a specialised Solution for high-strength Materials

To meet these demanding requirements, W&H offers a durable and robust solution with the
Synea Power Edition. The Power Edition combines an optimised transmission ratio with ideally calibrated speed and enhanced torque, allowing for precise processing of even the most challenging materials. An extra-sturdy chucking system provides enhanced clamping force, minimising the load during zirconia processing and contributing to an extended service life of the contra-angle handpieces.

The optimised triple spray with increased water flow reduces thermal stress and improves rinsing efficiency, for a more effective cutting performance. These technical improvements enable precise, efficient operation without the need for excessive pressure. The specialised design protects conventional handpieces that are not intended for processing high-strength materials, thereby helping to extend their service life. For clinicians, this makes it an ideal solution to meet the complex and challenging demands of modern restorative dentistry.

Clinical experience with the Synea Power Edition

Dr Wolfgang Tautschnig, a dentist with extensive experience from Salzburg, has applied and assessed the Synea Power Edition over several months in a range of clinical scenarios, particularly in the removal of zirconia crowns and the processing of base metal alloys. In one specific case, an 81-year-old patient presented seeking aesthetic improvement of her 40-year-old PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal) crowns. The existing restorations no longer met her expectations in terms of appearance.

The challenge was to remove twelve splinted crowns made of a base metal alloy without damaging the underlying abutment teeth. The handpiece was used to precisely section the ceramic layers and divide the metal framework using a carbide bur, enabling minimally traumatic crown removal. Within just 30 minutes, the old restorations were removed, allowing for the preparation of a new prosthesis, comprising full-contour zirconia in the posterior region and veneered crowns anteriorly. The result was a complete restoration that delivered both functional and aesthetic success (see Fig. 1).

The practical advantages reflect the innovative technologies behind the Power Edition: enhanced torque, a reinforced chucking system, and an optimised cooling mechanism, specifically designed to tackle the challenges of modern materials. For dentists, these handpieces offer not only a powerful solution for working with demanding materials, but also valuable support in reducing operating costs and extending the lifespan of their instruments.

This not only represents a sustainable solution in everyday clinical practice, but also provides long-term economic relief, by lowering operating costs and reducing maintenance efforts. Combining clinical value with cost-efficiency, the Synea Power Edition offers a genuine advantage for modern dental practices.