FDAnews
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FDA Issues Alert for Electric Dental Handpieces

September 24, 2010
The FDA has issued a safety alert for electric dental handpieces, AC-powered tools used to prepare dental cavities, as the devices may overheat and cause patient burns. Because patients are anesthetized and the device operator is insulated by the handpiece, overheating may not be noticed until after tissue damage has occurred, possibly resulting in first- to third-degree burns.