Specially designed for interproximal polishing, stripping, and preparation, KaVo’s EXPERTmatic E61 C contra-angle handpiece brings comfort and convenience to once-challenging cases.
Interproximal reduction (IPR) is often a critical step in achieving optimal clear aligner outcomes, whether it’s needed to create more space for tooth movement, reduce black triangles, or refine tooth proportions and symmetry.
As demand for clear aligners continues to rise, general dentists are performing IPR more frequently in everyday practice. Yet despite its value, the procedure has traditionally been tedious and uncomfortable—for both the clinician performing it and the patient in the chair.
Before Brittany Bergeron, DDS, discovered KaVo’s EXPERTmatic E61 C contra-angle handpiece, she felt like she could never find a “good” way to perform IPR. “I took all the classes I could, bought all the instruments, but it was always such a pain to do,” she shared.
Dr. Bergeron shared that by the end of a typical IPR procedure, the pressure and time it took to manually reduce enamel not only made her patients uneasy but would leave her hands and fingers cramped and sore. So, when her KaVo rep suggested she try the EXPERTmatic E61 C several years ago, she didn’t hesitate to say “yes.” And in the time since, she’s found that the handpiece has taken the difficulty—and the dread—out of IPR.
It makes treatment a lot more uniform, efficient, and easier overall. With EXPERTmatic E61 C, we’re able to provide a better patient experience, which is a huge practice builder.
Level Up Ergonomics, Power Up Production
While appointments involving significant IPR used to be an arduous “production killer,” the EXPERTmatic E61 C allows Dr. Bergeron to work through these cases with ease and efficiency. “Using a series of interproximal filing attachments, we can do any increment of IPR ‘assembly-line style,’ which has been very convenient,” she reported.
Dr. Bergeron also appreciates that water can be run through the handpiece and delivered via the 1-port spray, which maximizes performance and improves treatment safety. “Handpieces can generate a lot of heat, so I like that the EXPERTmatic keeps everything cool and flushes out the area as you're working,” she explained.
While any handpiece-assisted technique is preferable to manually filing down tooth structure, the EXPERTmatic E61 C stands out for its ergonomic design.
Its balanced weight and smooth EXPERTgrip surface help minimize fatigue and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury, while 36 individual locking positions allow clinicians to access any angle comfortably—without the need for awkward stretching or straining.
Like all KaVo EXPERTseries electric handpieces, the EXPERTmatic E61 C affords quiet operation with minimal vibration. It uses a gentle, buffered stroke that protects soft tissue, which contributes to a more comfortable treatment experience for both patients and practitioners.
“The back and-forth movement of the file means you don’t need to use as much pressure,” Dr. Bergeron explained. “Sort of like an electric toothbrush—you hold it in place and let it do its job.”
Raising the Bar for IPR and Beyond
It’s worth noting that the EXPERTmatic E61 C’s utility doesn’t end with IPR. As Dr. Bergeron shared, by swapping the interproximal files for a flat, single-sided diamond bur, the handpiece can just as easily be used to smooth and polish composite restorations and remove material at or below the gingival margin—without compromising soft tissue.
This benefit has made it a staple in her restorative workflow. “If we're doing any kind of Class V buccal restoration, the EXPERTmatic will always be on my tray,” she said. “It allows us to achieve better results while being friendlier to patients' tissues,” she shared.
From saving time to sparing dentists and their patients pain and discomfort, the EXPERTmatic E61 C’s many advantages make it a worthwhile addition to any practice that provides clear aligner therapy, effectively raising the bar for IPR and beyond.