Category: Procedure | Difficulty: Basic | Priority: Nice-to-know
A dental cutting instrument powered by compressed air or electric motor, available in high-speed (≥100,000 RPM, used for crown preparation and caries removal) and slow-speed (≤30,000 RPM, used for polishing and finishing) versions.
The dental drill used to shape teeth, remove decay, or adjust restorations. In children's appointments sometimes called a 'whistle' to reduce anxiety.
[[high-speed handpiece; slow-speed handpiece; air-driven; electric handpiece; bur]]
High-speed used for crown prep; slow-speed for polishing lab restorations chairside. Pediatric alias: 'whistle.'
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