High Speed Temperature Measurement for Optimizing High-Speed Dental Drills

High Speed IR Camera Optimizes Dental Drills for Pain Relief

The development of dental drills presents several challenges: During the drilling process, friction and the drill’s extreme speed generate significant heat, which is often uncomfortable for patients. In dental treatments, it is not the drilling itself but the resulting heat that causes pain. Research and development institutes, as well as dental drill manufacturers, continuously strive to develop new drill geometries that reduce heat generation. Reliable temperature measurement enables targeted optimization of the drills and helps analyze the effectiveness of these new geometries.

Dental drills rotate at extremely high speeds of 8,000 to 16,000 revolutions per second. At this speed, the drill tip works through the material within milliseconds, leading to a rapid and intense temperature increase.
Mechanical or tactile measurement methods are not suitable in this case, as the extremely fast movements do not allow direct contact without distorting the measurement results or interfering with the drilling process. Additionally, the thermal conditions change continuously, requiring real-time measurement.

Precise measurement is essential to assess whether the new geometry actually leads to a reduction in temperature. The challenge in these high-speed applications lies in capturing temperature changes within milliseconds.
In a test series conducted under realistic conditions, two different drill designs were analyzed: the previously used version and an optimized geometry.

Successful Temperature Reduction in Dental Drills with Infrared Camera from Optris

The tests showed a significant temperature reduction with the new drill geometry, which could directly benefit patients. Measurements revealed that the traditional geometry reached temperatures of up to 175°C at the drill tip. In contrast, the optimized version reduced the temperature to 120°C without compromising drilling performance.

A reduction of 55°C represents a significant improvement, minimizing the risk of pain and tissue damage during treatment. The Optris Xi 400 has proven to be an ideal measurement solution for this high-speed application.

In addition to its high frame rate and resolution, the camera’s flexible handling was another key factor. The PIX Connect software enabled a detailed analysis of temperature data and facilitated comparisons of different drill designs. Manufacturers benefit from this technology by optimizing their products and differentiating themselves from competitors through innovative drills with lower heat generation. The camera also offers multiple temperature ranges up to 900°C, making it highly versatile for various applications.

Another advantage of the Optris solution is the robust design of the camera. Despite challenges such as drilling debris, the measurement remained unaffected due to the camera’s flexible integration into the application. Optionally, an Optris Air Purge System could be used to keep the lens continuously free of particles.

With its high measurement accuracy, fast frame rate, and easy handling, the Optris Xi 400 is the optimal choice for high-speed applications like dental drill development. Manufacturers can leverage infrared technology to develop and optimize innovative drills.