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MIDWEST Stylus ATC (2012 PPL)
The award of Editors' Choice signifies the most unique and significant product in the issue. The editors review each product and clinical evaluation article scheduled for an issue and then select the issue's Editors' Choice.
Preferred Products are selected by Dr. John Farah and the staff of THE DENTAL ADVISOR. These products are featured each year in the January-February issue of THE DENTAL ADVISOR.
800.877.0020 . 717.845.7511
www.dentsply.com
Consultants' Comments
- “Nice feel and balance.”
- “Very ergonomic, easy on the wrist, swivel is excellent.”
- “Torque is excellent – cuts smoothly.”
- “The mini-head has three fewer water ports than the mid-size handpiece.”
- “Installation was complex and required some refinement.”
Description
The MIDWEST® Stylus™ ATC is a high-speed, air-driven handpiece that features Speed-Sensing Intelligence (SSI), which automatically optimizes power to virtually eliminate stalling without having to be monitored or requiring frequent adjustments, and adjusts speed when the bur is not under load to minimize wear on handpiece bearings. It also features Superior Turbine Suspension (STS) to minimize bur deflection for precision and control. This feature allows the handpiece to operate at speeds of 330,000 RPM without noticeable bur deflection and chattering, promoting smooth and precise control for margin refinement and restorative procedures. The MIDWEST Stylus ATC is ergonomically designed and is lighter than electric handpieces, has a low pitch and tone, and incorporates a swivel for freedom of movement. It is available in mini- and mid-size heads and is compatible with standard- and short-shank burs. The only handpieces compatible with the MIDWEST Stylus ATC system are the MIDWEST Stylus ATC 890 mid-sized head and the Stylus ATC 990 mini-head. The system evaluated included a combination of two packages. Two Midwest Stylus handpieces (one mini-sized head and one mid-sized head), control source, coupler and tubing, power adapter with cord, maintenance kit (o-rings, cleaning wires, coupler bulb cap and Midwest Stylus ATC nozzle for Midwest aerosol spray, maintenance coupler, lubricant, bulb and spray guards), installation kit, and installation instructions. MIDWEST Stylus ATC was evaluated by seven Editors in 437 uses. It received a 96% clinical rating.
Suggested Retail Cost
Editors' Observations
Instructions
Editors rated instructions as excellent. They were complete and comprehensive.
Ease of Integration into Practice/Connection to Coupler
The installation is complex and required some refinement. Once installed, the ease of integration into the practice received very good to excellent ratings, as did the connection to coupler. Dedicated tubing and a special coupler are required for MIDWEST Stylus ATC and other air-driven handpieces cannot be connected to this line.
Noiseless operation/Smoothness of Operation
Noise level was rated good to very good. The pitch varies with the level of torque. Operation was smooth.
Torque/Cutting Efficiency
Under normal conditions of high speed with a load on the bur, the handpiece cuts well. High torque is maintained with smooth cutting. When cutting at slower speeds, torque is lower.
Lack of Bur Chatter/Bur Deflection
Lack of bur chatter and deflection were rated very good to excellent.
Size/Feel of handpiece/Ergonomics
The Editors reported that MIDWEST Stylus ATC handpieces were ergonomic with a nice feel and balance. The swivel was excellent. The handpiece was easy on the wrist.
Quality of Light/Water Spray
The water spray was rated as excellent. The quality of light was good. Some editors preferred a brighter light.
Ease of Cleaning/Sterilization
The MIDWEST Stylus ATC handpieces should be steam sterilized between patients. A coupler for attachment to a maintenance device is included in the package. The ease of cleaning and sterilization was rated as good.
Summary
MIDWEST Stylus ATC is a unique handpiece that is air-driven and electronically controlled. Seventy-one percent of consultants reported that the MIDWEST Stylus ATC was better than their current electric handpiece and 14% reported that it was equivalent. Seventy-one percent would switch to MIDWEST Stylus ATC and 71% would recommend it.
Clinical Tips
Variable sound is normal with this handpiece.
DENTSPLY Professional, Handpiece - High-speed
