What is an important function of the high-speed handpiece in dentistry?

The high-speed handpiece is a crucial instrument in dentistry primarily used to prepare teeth for fillings. This tool delivers high rotational speeds, allowing dentists to efficiently remove decayed tissue from a tooth, shape the tooth structure, and create an optimal cavity preparation for restorative materials. With its precision and speed, the high-speed handpiece facilitates quick and effective cleaning, thereby enhancing the overall quality of dental procedures.

While other functions related to dental care, such as extracting teeth or polishing them, are also important, they typically involve different instruments. The extraction of teeth usually requires specialized forceps or elevators for safe removal, and polishing teeth is often done with a slower-speed handpiece or with other instruments designed specifically for that purpose. The mention of fluoroelastomer fillings relates to a material used in restorative dentistry but does not reflect a function of the handpiece itself. Thus, the primary role of the high-speed handpiece aligns closely with preparing teeth for fillings, making this the correct focus.