Dental Bearings
Dental bearings are smooth spheres that provide low resistance rolling action in dental handpieces. They can be made from a variety of materials including ceramics and stainless steel. Currently there are several different companies that standardize the construction of ball bearings. However, there are currently no federal requirements for standardization. If you are interested in dental ball bearings standards then you should contact the American Bearing Manufacturers Association.
The life of dental bearings depends on a lot of things. Generally they are designed for a long and active life. However, improper loading, calibrating, improper cleaning and handling and even excessive speeds can damage and wear out your dental bearings.
Proper care for dental bearings starts by proper cleaning. After you use your dental instruments, especially those with ball bearings, you need to sterilize them using an autoclave machine. By sterilizing your ball bearings you will remove bacteria and germs that can lead to patient infections, as well as remove debris from the ball bearings that can cause gauging, chipping and general degradation of the smooth bearing surface.
In addition to cleaning your ball bearings properly you also need to store your dental bearings properly. To store your ball bearings properly you will want to leave them in their originally packaging until you need them. The packaging is designed to prevent surface damage and to keep the bearings clean and sterile. General storage of your bearings should be done in an area that has a constant temperature and humidity level. You should also try to store them in an area of your office that is dry and cool.
