Dr. J. asks:
We just started using Piezosurgery in our periodontal and implant practice. Our Piezo surgical unit handpiece is getting really hot while we are in the middle of surgery. I was wondering if there was a reason for this, or if you had any suggestions to prevent this from happening. I am assuming that either we are doing something wrong or the handpiece is malfunctioning. We should be able to do a complete surgery without this kind of complication. What could the problem be?








Featured Courses
>>More Online Implant Courses

Cone Beam Technology: Placing Dental Implants with Confidence
In this webinar, Dr. Myers will discuss the clinical and diagnostic benefits of incorporating 3-D into the dental practice and 3-D's compatibility with guided surgery applications, as well as the communication and marketing benefits...
>>Learn More and Register Now!

9 Responses to “ Piezosurgery: Device Gets Really Hot During Implant Surgery? ”

  • dr.r December 15th, 2008

    Dear Dr. J,

    I have had a Piezosurgery unit for over 2 years and that has never happened to me. In my experience, the handpiece gets warm if you are using it for too long (and not letting it rest properly or without moving it constantly) or don’t have enough irrigation flowing through. I spoke to customer service there and they suggested I used cold saline for my surgeries and that helps too. If you got the DVD that came with the implant tips, watch that, it gives tips on usage – I know it helped me.

    Dr. R.

  • JW December 16th, 2008

    It was a complaint of some of the older models. The chilled saline was supposed to cool a bit and also reduce necrosis (although piezo was better). If it is a new unit, you may want to inspect the tips/service the handpiece.

  • Bruce G Knecht December 17th, 2008

    I have had the Piezo Metron and it is great on Cadavers. I limit its use for block grafts and Lateral wall sinus lifts. I have had terrible necrosis with ridge splitting and extractions. It is a beautiful device but it has its limitations. The rep thinks I have a heavy hand and this could be the cause. I teach in a research clinic and I have seen this happen with others. I guess we are all heavy handed. It is great but I still like my handpiece.

  • Dr.Aslan Y.GOKBUGET December 18th, 2008

    Hi Dr.J,
    You don’t have to pressure on hand piece while using..ıt has to be passive contact and you may use cold saline during surgery.and ofcourse you have to give some pauses during cutting the bone tissue.But as far as I know the hand pieces are the most problematic part of the devices…Hope this help you…

  • Mostafa Norooz,DDS December 18th, 2008

    Hi Dr.J I use piezosurgery unit a lot. I use it as a periotome for atraumatic extractions more than anything else. It is very effective. There are porcelain discs inside the handpiece that make the vibration. When these discs are about to wear off, handpiece gets hot. I believe newer handpieces are much more durable. By the way, be careful if the handpiece is too hot not to touch patient’s lip. It could become a liability issue. Over all let yourself get use to the machine because it is a wonderful equipment. Good luck,

  • Kay Lee September 17th, 2009

    I’m not sure what device you’re using.

    Regarding ultrasonic surgery, it’s hard to make useful device. Because it is not a simple as like scaler. Now a days, a lot of company developed surgery machine but that means it is getting increased worse device. You should consult with manufacturer and test it. I think it’s not a problem for only your device.

  • Freeze November 4th, 2009

    Where can you purchase Piezosurgery kit or who did you purchase the Piezosurgery kit from?

    Thanks
    Freeze

  • KH December 13th, 2009

    Make sure you have the irrigation tubing installed correctly, pump turned up and that you are not out of water. If you do not keep the tip moving on the bone and hold it in one spot for too long the piezo energy will turn into thermal energy and can burn the bone. Also when handpieces start to wear out they run much warmer. If this is the case, replace your handpiece.

  • Scott December 15th, 2009

    I use my Piezosurgery unit almost every day. We are careful with retracting the lip during surgery. It can burn bone if you are heavy handed or impatient. I have done sinus lifts with no problems. I have burned bone minorly in some extraction situations when rushing. I usually can tell by observation and I go back right then and smooth away this dead bone with the piezo gently. It makes some extractions much less traumatic than without.
    Scott


Leave a Comment

Comment Guidelines: This is a forum for dentists for intelligent discussion. No insults. No outside links. No promotional comments. Though we require an email to route questionable comments to our editors, we will NEVER publish your email. Consumers & Patients: Please do NOT post dental questions here. Instead Visit ChooseDentalImplants.com to get Expert Advice for Implants.


Note: At times your comment may not appear on the website immediately, because it has been sent to our editors for approval. Once approved, we will publish the comment. There is NO need to resubmit your comment, if it does not appear on the website immediately.