What are the advantages and disadvantages of dental electric micro motors?

The speed range of a dental electric marathon micro motor is typically 1,000-40,000 rpm compared to the 5,000-25,000 rpm of conventional air motors. Crucially, with an electric micromotor you have 100% of the torque available throughout the whole speed range, and when applying pressure.

These characteristics make the electric micromotor perfectly suited to run with so-called 'speed increasing contra-angles', allowing friction-grip bur speeds of up to 200,000 rpm. Importantly, the speed increasing contra-angle is equipped with quadruple spray.

Relatively inexpensive, compared with an air driven unit.

Generally small, compact and mobile.

Very slow in dental terms therefore extremely limited efficiency.

Burs 'walk off' teeth during cutting, due to slow speed.

Dental handpieces vibrate and heat up after a few minutes.

The torque is high. This is an advantage when polishing but a severe disadvantage for drilling tissues which will not be removed (e.g. bones).

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