Bacteriological analysis of high-speed handpiece turbines.

The microbial contamination of handpiece turbines was examined clinically. In 20 handpieces, no bacterial growth was found on any culture from an autoclaved or non-autoclaved handpiece group. But growth occurred in the positive control inoculated with fresh whole human saliva. An adjunctive investigation with saliva substitute showed that oral fluids can contaminate handpiece turbines during simulated clinical treatment.