Is dentistry with powertools dangerous?
The answer can be divided into two parts.
1.Is there a danger from electrical shock?
Improperly grounder or protected electrical devices are dangerous. The Powerfloat has been designed to protect both the horse and the operator from electrical shock. The tool itself is triple insulated and is coupled with a ground fault interrupter (GFI) to prevent fatal electrical shock. The GFI will disconnect the current quickly enough to stop fatal shock. A non-insulated person, i.e. someone with bare feet on a wet surface, can be killed by 50 millamps across the chest. A GFI is designed to break the circuit at 5 milliamps. There have been 4 people and 1 horse killed by electrocution while using power tools so far in the world. None of the people were veterinarians. They were not using ground fault circuit interrupters on their tools.
The Powerfloat has a corded model (AC=alternating current-plugs into an electrical outlet) and a battery (DC direct current) operated model. There is no chance of being shocked by a battery operated tool.
Some people are still using the Dremel rotary grinder for dental work. The manufacturer has declared this use illegal because of potential for shock.
2. Is there a danger to the tooth?
The Powerfloat uses a low RPM drill AND a clutch to prevent thermal and inadvertent damage to teeth if the grinding disc becomes trapped between teeth arcades. Tests indicate it requires 60 seconds of full speed (4000 RPM) grinding in ONE spot to produce thermal damage.
Proper use of the Powerfloat is to keep the disc moving over the area being floated or reduced and to not hold the disc on one spot for more than 20 seconds.
The AC Powerfloat version has a maximum speed of 4000 RPM. The DC Powerfloat has a maximum speed of 2000 RPM. The lower RPM further reduces the chance of thermal damage.
The Dremel has a maximum speed of 24,000 RPM. Even used with a speed adjuster foot pedal it is easy to overheat teeth. Prior to the advent of the Powerfloat I used this tool only for severe malocclusions where hand tools could not utilized. A water spray was used to keep the teeth cool.