What to look for in a dental handpiece from a sterilization aspect？

Some things to consider when purchasing a handpiece:

1.Is it designed to be autoclavable
2.Does it have sleek, smooth designs that will not hold debris
3.Is the finish able to withstand the sterilization(dental autoclave sterilizer) process over a long period of time? Titanium withstands chemicals and the sterilization process better than chrome plate.
4.Does it have smooth surfaces that do not trap debris and bacteria, and a seamless finish with no gap between outer casings

But sterilization could destroy the handpiece, and they cost so much

Yes, the life expectancy of a handpiece can be decreased from the sterilization process. But that is not the only factor that plays into handpiece longevity. While it is difficult to determine just what factors shorten the life expectancy of a handpiece, there have been studies of handpieces that are being actively used and sterilized. One study from the United States Air Force Dental Investigation Services is a reminder how important maintenance is for these tools. This study concluded that with a properly sterilized handpiece, you can expect about 500 sterilization cycles without significant reduction in performance if the handpiece（coxo dental handpiece） is properly maintained. That translates to about one year of use per handpiece. Purchasing and maintaining handpieces is the price DHCP need to pay in order to comply with the CDC recommendations and many state laws.
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