Additional Details, Test Methods, and Results.
Intraoral Polishing Handpieces Tested and Company Information Back to Top of Page
| Brand Name of Handpiece | Company | Phone Number | Fax Number |
| PHP 100 | Biotrol International | (303) 673-0341 | (303) 673-0346 |
| PHP 130 | Biotrol International | (303) 673-0341 | (303) 673-0346 |
| RDH with Prophy Right Angle | Dentsply / Midwest | (847) 640-4800 | (847) 640-6165 |
| Prophy Star | Star Dental | (717) 291-1161 | (717) 291-5699 |
| Little Guy | Athena Champion | (909) 394-1770 | (909) 394-1765 |
| RDH for Disposable Angles | Dentsply / Midwest | (847) 640-4800 | (847) 640-6165 |
Comparison
Chart of Low Speed Handpieces for Intraoral Polishing
Back to Top of Page
Go to grading criteria for columns.
|
Brand Name |
Cost | RPM Range | Ease
of Angle Attachment |
Torque | Vibration | Noise | Clean,
Lube, & Sterilize Convenience |
Ergon- omics |
Overall Grade |
| PHP 100 | $531 | E | VG | E | G | G | E | G | 3.5 |
| PHP 130 | $580* | E | E | VG | G | G | E | G | 3.5 |
| RDH with Prophy Right Angle |
$549* | E | E | VG | E | G | F | E | 3.5 |
| Prophy Star | $595* | E | VG | VG | G | VG | VG | G | 3.4 |
| Little Guy | $560* | E | G | G | G | VG | G | G | 3.2 |
| RDH for Disposable Angles | $529* | E | G | VG | VG | G | F | VG | 3.2 |
* Cost does not include price of swivel quick disconnect.
CRA Observations Back to Top of Page
| Brand Name of Polisher | CRA Observations |
| PHP 100 | Swivel in middle of handpieces
rotates freely. Low speed motor will accept metal & disposable angles. Operates in forward & reverse directions. |
| PHP 130 | Swivel in middle of handpieces
rotates freely. Excellent access & vision due to narrow neck & small head. Operates in forward & reverse directions. Narrow grip difficult for some to hold. Quick disconnect available for $115. |
| RDH with Prophy Right Angle |
Swivel at back 1/3 of
handpiece rotates freely. Cup rotational speed responds immediately to foot pedal. Low speed motor & prophy angle head designed as single unit. No forward & reverse control, rotates clockwise only. Quick disconnect available for $23.50. |
| Prophy Star | Low speed motor will accept
metal & disposable angles. Operates in forward & reverse directions. Quick disconnect available for $125. Swivel at back of handpieces does not rotate freely. Cord drag. Rpm was high initially & then settled into stable, lower rpm. |
| Little Guy | Swivel in middle of handpieces
rotates freely. Low speed motor will accept metal & disposable angles. Can be used with long shank rotary instrument. Operates in forward & reverse directions. Must turn manual chuck to attach or remove prophy angle. Quick disconnect available for $60. |
| RDH for Disposable Angles | Swivel at back 1/3 of
handpieces rotates freely. Designed for use with disposable angles only. Disposable prophy angle difficult to remove. Quick disconnect available for $23.50 No forward & reverse control, rotates clockwise only. |
Summary of Comparison Tables Back to Top of Page
All handpieces evaluated operated well between 200 & 5,000 rpm. Smoothest running handpiece was the RDH with Prophy Right Angle. Most versatile handpiece is the Little Guy with forward & reverse directions, ability to accept long shank rotary instruments & disposable & metal prophy angles. Handpieces with best ergonomics are the RDH with Prophy Right Angle & RDH for Disposable Angles. Handpieces designed to use with disposable or metal angles are Little Guy, PHP100, & Prophy Star. Handpieces requiring least maintenance with only weekly or monthly lubrication / cleaning are PHP100, PHP130, & Prophy Star.
CRA Conclusions Back to Top of Page
All 6 low speed handpieces tested had designs that allowed intraoral polishing at sufficiently low speeds necessary for patient comfort & designs that provided clinician comfort. Smoothest operating handpiece was RDH with Prophy Right Angle followed closely by RDH for Disposable Angles, but both require more time consuming maintenance regimen. Best overall for ease of operation & maintenance was PHP 100 & 130, followed closely by Prophy Star. Purchase choice can be made by features desired by clinician, because all handpieces performed intraoral polishing well.