Overview
EN ISO 1797:2017 - Dentistry: Shanks for rotary and oscillating instruments specifies dimensional and material requirements for shanks used in dental rotary and oscillating instruments and describes the measurement methods for verifying those requirements. The standard consolidates earlier parts into a single document, adds reprocessing requirements for plastic shanks, gives guidance on marking location, and includes Annex A on quality control. It is not applicable to tips fixed to the handpiece with a screw (e.g., scaler tips).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Shank classification and dimensions
- Type 1 (RA/CA): diameter 2.35 mm, with groove and flat area
- Type 2 (HP): diameter 2.35 mm, cylindrical
- Type 3 (FG, friction grip): diameter 1.6 mm, cylindrical with conical/rounded end
- Type 4 (HP): diameter 3.0 mm, cylindrical
- Material properties
- Requirements for shanks made of metal, tungsten carbide, ceramic and plastic materials
- Specific testing for Vickers hardness (metals), tensile strength (plastics), and heat/colour/swelling resistance (plastics)
- Geometrical and surface requirements
- Measurement of shank diameter, cylindricity, surface roughness (Ra) and other form tolerances
- Defined measurement and test methods for verification
- Marking and identification
- Information on the location of marking and colour coding for plastic shanks
- Reprocessing and quality control
- Reprocessing (cleaning/sterilization) requirements for plastic shanks and an informative Annex A on quality control to ensure consistent manufacturing quality
Practical applications
- Ensures interchangeability and safe fit between instruments and handpieces (dental motors and handpieces)
- Supports consistent manufacturing tolerances for burs, contra-angle instruments, and lab handpiece tools
- Facilitates regulatory compliance, product testing and quality assurance for dental device manufacturers
- Reduces clinical risk by standardizing critical features such as fit, hardness and resistance to sterilization
Who uses this standard
- Dental instrument and handpiece manufacturers
- Medical device design and R&D engineers
- Quality managers and production engineers in dental device companies
- Conformity assessors, test laboratories and procurement professionals
- Dental laboratories and professional associations for specification and procurement
Related standards (normative references)
EN ISO 1797:2017 is essential for ensuring dimensional compatibility, material performance, and safe reprocessing of shanks used in dental rotary and oscillating instruments.
