Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Aust Dent J. 2013 Dec;58(4):514-21. doi: 10.1111/adj.12112.
The aim of this study was to identify the nature and causes of deterioration and failure in dental handpiece ball bearings and thus provide guidance for clinical handling for service longevity.
The bearings of 36 turbine assemblies were dismantled for visual inspection, documented using a digital camera, and examined using scanning electron microscopy, as appropriate.
For the metal parts of the ball bearing assembly, defects observed were mainly wear arising from the running load and corrosion. This was in the form of scratches and discoloured circumferential bands on the balls, and dull or worn surfaces extending around the circumference of the raceways. Cage damage including cracking, fracture, surface rubbing and distortion occurred, in varying degrees, in every failed turbine.
Dental ball bearing failure modes have been identified. Cumulative effects of damage from corrosion and mechanical factors lead to handpiece deterioration. The cage was found to be very vulnerable to damage, and this may be the key limitation on bearing lifetime. Autoclaving may contribute to that, as it does to corrosion in the absence of adequate lubrication, but this seems to be minor in comparison to the effects of abuse. There is no justification for failing to observe usage and sterilization instructions.
本研究旨在确定牙科手机球轴承劣化和失效的性质和原因，从而为延长使用寿命提供临床处理指导。
对 36 个涡轮组件的轴承进行拆卸，进行目视检查，使用数码相机记录，并根据需要使用扫描电子显微镜进行检查。
对于球轴承组件的金属部件，观察到的缺陷主要是由于运行负载和腐蚀引起的磨损。这表现为球上的划痕和变色的圆周带，以及在滚道圆周上延伸的暗淡或磨损的表面。在每个失效的涡轮机中，都不同程度地发生了包括裂纹、断裂、表面摩擦和变形在内的保持架损坏。
已经确定了牙科球轴承的失效模式。腐蚀和机械因素造成的累积损伤导致手机劣化。发现保持架非常容易损坏，这可能是轴承寿命的关键限制因素。在缺乏适当润滑的情况下，高压灭菌可能会导致腐蚀，但其对轴承的影响与滥用相比似乎较小。没有理由不遵守使用和消毒说明。
