Dental Equipment Blog

There are few topics less exciting than plaster traps in a dental office laboratory. But plaster traps do serve a vital function. All of the plaster trimmings in a dental office from a model trimmer or lab knife or mixing bowl end up in the plaster trap (hopefully) at the end of the day.

If the plaster trap wasn’t in place or was functioning incorrectly, all of that plaster would end up as a tightly packed plug somewhere in a drain or sewer line. That’s a big problem.

For years plaster traps have been little more than a necessary evil; difficult, time consuming, and horribly messy to clean. Worse, the plaster, once it has been sitting in a wet container for a number of weeks, develops a very pungent odor-an odor that quickly spreads throughout a dental office once exposed to air.

Thankfully, Buffalo Dental Manufacturing has created a better plaster trap. Dubbed the Trap-Eze and based on a 3.5 or 5 gallon pail it is connected to the sink and drain line with flexible tubing. This means that the entire assembly can be removed quickly and easily.

When the clear pail is full it is simply thrown away - making the entire process fast, clean, and odor free. One can generally change a properly installed Buffalo Dental Manufacturing trap in less than a minute from start to finish.

The replacement pails certainly cost more than the old disposable bags that lined stainless steel or plastic plaster traps, but the added convenience is more than worth it-especially if you are currently paying a technician to clean it as many dental offices do.

Trap-Eze plaster trap pails are suitable for dental offices, dental labs, and denture clinics. The initial installation is usually fast and generally doesn’t require a plumber.

The pails come in two forms; the installation kit with the pail as well as all the hoses and fittings for installation, and the replacement pail only.

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Wet ring dental vacuum systems (suction machines) are quite simple: an electric motor spins an impeller into which water is injected. As the impeller rotates vacuum is created.

This system has been used in dental offices for decades with good results. The downside however, is water use. The water is generally supplied by a 3/8 inch water line that runs unrestricted anytime the pump is on. An average dental office with a wet ring vacuum pump can use as many as 57,000 gallons of water per year! Some doctors may be concerned about the environmental effects of this, but all dentists should be concerned about the financial effects.

Dry vacuum machines, which don’t use any water, have been around for a while in the dental business with mixed results. Initially, the machines were nothing more than beefed-up Shop Vac machines. They were expensive, difficult to maintain, and had poor vacuum performance.

That has changed with the introduction of the RamVac in recent years. Still expensive, but now ultra reliable and easy to service, the RamVac has incredible vacuum performance. RamVac is a new style of dental vacuum pump system with its inspiration coming from the agricultural industry. The pump is separate from the actual vacuum line, which dumps waste into a holding tank, and then into the drain.

These new machines do require more floor space, and have more stringent installation requirements. However, these costs are more than recovered by the savings in service costs, the savings in your water bill, and improved performance.

Other manufacturers are now releasing machines which emulate the RamVac formula. This is a good thing, as competition will trend prices downward. Given the cost of utilities today, any dental office must do its due diligence and thoroughly investigate this option before purchasing another vacuum system.

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Even with all of the advances in dental hygiene technology; air polishing, ultrasonic scalers, piezo scalers, and patient hygiene, the vast majority of dental hygienists still spend hours each day hand scaling teeth.

This short, repetitive motion causes wrist and joint problems in many hygienists. The best way to minimize this risk is to use instruments that are sharp, well balanced, and comfortable. Keeping instruments sharp is a discussion all of its own, and balance is self explanatory.

Comfort though, is subjective: Hu Friedy, one of the leading manufacturer’s of dental instruments, offers no less than six different handles for their instruments. Several characteristics combine to create the sensory experience we call comfort.

First is the material that the handle is made from. Metal handles are harder and less forgiving (but longer lasting and arguably easier to sterilize), while plastic handles tend to be more comfortable and lighter, but not as rugged. Some companies even offer cushioned rubber handles for a soft feel (though that soft feel doesn’t always transfer to comfort while actually being used).

Size is also an important factor in choosing a dental scaler handle. As the handle diameter increases, the stress on the fingers and hand are generally reduced. Small handles tend to be harder to hold and create more fatigue.

Finally, surface finish should also be taken into consideration. Smooth handles, ribbed handles, and knurled handles will all appeal to different users for a variety of personal reasons. Generally, smooth handles are the least comfortable over time.

If you are looking for a rule of thumb for buying instruments, here it is:

Buy the largest diameter metal handle with a ribbed finish that you can find. For the widest variety of people, this configuration will offer the most comfort. The best solution however, is still to let the user choose for themselves. Some hygienists actually prefer different handles for different types of scalers, and some scalers may be available in a limited number of handle configurations. Allowing the user to choose their own instruments ensures that they will make a choice they can live with.

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A style of dental delivery system that has been popular for some time in Europe is rapidly gaining acceptance in North America. The ‘Continental’ style delivery system is a delivery system in which the handpiece tubings come up over the top of the control unit, and are routed within a spring loaded arm. This contrasts the ‘Traditional’ delivery system in which the handpiece tubings drape under the dental control unit.

There are several factors which make this a desirable system. The weight of the tubing is held by an arm and spring, so handpieces feel lighter and more maneuverable. In addition, there is no risk of dropping the handpiece and having it fall to the ground; the spring arm will guide the handpiece back into its position on the control unit.

This is great in terms of infection control (not having a handpiece on the dirty floor), but also dramatically reduces the chance of damage to the tool from hitting the floor. This is certainly important for high speed handpieces, but also for items like intraoral cameras and curing lights, which are increasingly being integrated into the control head. Also, the units tend to look neater, as the tubings are not rubbing on the ground when the control unit is moved around in the operatory.

In the past, there have been negatives associated with this type of system-notably that water would drain out of the tubings and leak onto the floor. In recent years dental equipment manufacturers have improved the water control valves, and this problem has been eliminated.

Due to the vertical size of the spring arms, Continental delivery is only suitable for chair mounted, or ‘over the patient’ control units. Users of side delivery or rear delivery systems will have to stick with the Traditional system. As more and more dentists are exposed to this style of tubing routing, I predict that the popularity will continue to grow. This just might be a trend that sticks around for a little while.

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Dentsply’s newest Cavitron has been out on the market for a little while now, and by accounts it has been performing well. The Cavitron Plus by Dentsply International is simply the most advanced ultrasonic scaler on the market today. Most dental offices and all dental hygienists will be familiar with the name Cavitron, however most offices have an older version of the machine.

The Cavitron Plus is an improvement over the last generation Cavitron SPS in a number of ways. The display is now diagnostic, with a limited number of fault codes to help diagnose a problem or to verify proper operation.

Two important water control functions have also been added. First, an auto flush feature which will flush the handpiece water line for 2 minutes. The user simply has to place the handpiece in a sink, press the button, and walk away. The second is a rinse feature which cuts scaling power but keeps the water flowing so that the user can rinse away debris or cleanse a perio pocket.

However, the most welcome feature is the new foot control. No longer does the hygienist need to trip over a cord: the new foot control is wireless. The foot control is battery powered, and can move around anywhere in an operatory. The foot control does have a wire that can be attached in case of battery failure, but simply keeping some spare batteries in the office would also get around that issue.

The Dentsply Cavitron Plus still features a 330 degree swivel in the handpiece tubing for longer cord life and less strain on the wrist, as well as the SteriMate handpiece for easier infection control. The new unit runs at 30 kHz, so any tips you have from the SPS unit will still work as designed. Dentsply has not seen fit to incorporate 25 kHz tip support as some of their competitors have done, however, given that Cavitron tips rarely last longer than a year, any old 25 kHz tips in your office are probably worn beyond their useful life anyhow.

In addition to the changes to the regular Cavitron, Dentsply has also incorporated these new features into the Cavi-Jet model, calling it the Cavitron Jet Plus. This will be a welcome change for those dental offices that use air polishing to achieve high levels of dental hygiene. You can read more about the Cavitron Plus and Cavitron Jet Plus at http://www.dentsply.com.

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Adec has long been a leader in the dental business. They have a history of producing really innovative solutions to problems in the business, and that is one of the reasons they have been a successful company for such a long time.

Recently, Adec has launched the ICV. The ICV is an automated vacuum line cleaning system that minimizes the hassle of properly cleaning your vacuum lines. Until recently, the best solution on the market was a little pail with fittings for your vacuum tools. Fill the pail with a mixture of chemical and water, and then place it on the floor of the operatory, suck up the solution, and repeat for every room. For small practices it wasn’t too inconvenient, but for large offices it got to be quite labor intensive.

The ICV changes that. Mounted to a cupboard, either inside a module of its own, or simply cut into a door and mounted there, the Adec ICV automates this process. Containing a timer, and a solution reservoir, the process for cleaning your suction lines couldn’t be easier.  Simply plug the saliva ejector and HVE onto the appropriate nipple,  push the ‘Start’ button, and walk away. After running for two minutes, the ICV turns off. Remove the vacuum tools and put them back into their hangers.

Photo: courtesy A-Dec

The process can be run in one operatory by the assistant between patients, or by one person in every operatory at the end of the day.

While those purchasing new Adec cabinets can choose to have the ICV built into the cabinet, Adec cabinets are not a requirement for use of this product. In fact, no matter what style of cabinetry you have in your practice, as long as you have a space 7” x 20” x 21” available to you, the ICV can be incorporated easily. If you have a service technician who also has some woodworking skills the job can be done right in your office, although many technicians will prefer to remove the doors and have the holes professionally cut.

You can find more information about the instruction on how to used the A-Dec ICV at their site here.

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A high quality air supply is important in a dental office, as it is air that is used to run your dental equipment, spin your handpiece turbines, and dry your preps. An air supply that is contaminated with moisture or oil will reduce the life of your equipment, costing you money. Poor quality air can also affect the quality of your work, sometimes leading to sensitivity or pain.

Air compressor technology has come a long way in the past 20 years. Modern dental air compressors have myriad technologies built into them to improve the quality of the air in the system and improve your practice. Some dentists feel they can save money by using an industrial air compressor in their office rather than using a dedicated dental air compressor. Dental air compressors, whether they feature traditional lubed or modern lube-free heads, incorporate a number of features that makes them better suited for use in a dental office.

Dental air compressor systems incorporate complex air drying and filtering systems. The air exits the compressor head and travels through a small tank full of desiccant beads which remove moisture from the air. The air also passes through a special coalescing filter which further removes water, and if applicable, oil from the air. This means that the air going into the tank is as pure as possible. As a final step the tank is generally coated to inhibit rust and scale from forming, which would contaminate the air supply. These steps ensure that the air coming out of the tank is of the highest quality possible.

If it is time to choose or buy a new dental air compressor, lube-free or oil-less air compressors are highly recommended. These new compressor heads completely remove the potential of oil contamination in your air supply, and also minimize maintenance costs, as you no longer have to change the oil every year. Lube free compressors can be a bit louder than traditional lubed compressors, but only marginally so. If noise is a problem, special insulated compressor cabinets are available to reduce noise.

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Dental Instrument washers are rapidly growing in popularity in dental offices. When they were first introduced a few years ago, many people (including myself) discounted them as another expensive piece of equipment that the dental companies were trying to get their customers to buy. Perception changes with time, and many dentists now consider an instrument washer to be a must have piece of equipment in a dental office.

Traditionally, dental instruments are cleaned first by scrubbing, then by immersing into an ultrasonic cleaner for a period of time. There are a few problems with this. Scrubbing is dangerous, and leaves the door open for a staff member to cut himself and potentially get sick. Ultrasonic cleaners aren’t really that efficient, and are almost always used improperly, with the lid off, aerating bacteria and germs into the air of the operatory.

Dental instrument washers change all of this. Essentially, they look like a dishwasher. Your instruments (hopefully in IMS cassettes) are placed into the racks, and when full the machine is run. The instruments come out sanitized (which is not the same as sterilized), and are ready to be wrapped and placed into the sterilizer.

Some dentists try to use a standard household dishwasher in place of these machines. I don’t recommend this, as there are many differences. For one, the dental machine superheats the water inside the machine at up to 200*F. Dishwashers are limited to 140*F, and that temperature variation makes a significant difference in the efficacy of the machine.

Dental Instrument Washers use specially formulated cleaners that won’t corrode or discolor your instruments, and are backed by warranties and trained service technicians for use in a dental office. Perhaps most importantly, these devices are registered and licensed as medical equipment and approved for use in a dental facility.

There are many brands of dental instrument washers on the market, with the SciCan Hydrim and the Miele G 7881 being the two most popular. Personally, I think that the Miele is a much better machine. In my opinion it is constructed better, easier to use, and has less problems in the field once installed. However, both are quite effective. You can learn more about these machines at http://www.scican.com and http://www.dentaldisinfector.com.

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Dental Light Location

Where is the dental light located in your operatory? For many years dental offices had only two choices when it came time to mount the light; put it on the chair, or put it in the ceiling. As time passes, technology changes, ergonomics advances, and office design trends come and go. Let’s take a look at today’s dental lamp and light positions and the pros and cons of each.

Ceiling Mounted: Mounting a dental light on the ceiling is the most traditional method of bringing extra light into your operatory. However, this position also has the most drawbacks. Placing your dental light in this position often causes interference problems with other services in the office, such as general lighting in the operatory, and heating and air conditioning ducts. The light post hangs from the ceiling low enough for tall patients to bump their heads, and mounting the light requires that a support structure and electrical wiring be placed in the ceiling, which adds to the construction cost of the room.

Chair Mounted: Chair mounted lights are a good compromise. The electrical source for the light is readily available since the chair also has to be plugged in. The light post is short enough to be compact, and yet tall enough to be out of the way. The downside to chair mounted lights is clutter. Too many items attached to a dental chair can give a patient the feeling that they are sitting down inside a piece of equipment, as opposed to sitting on a comfortable chair.

Wall or Cabinet Mounted: This is the best option. By mounting the light to the side of the operatory, it creates the appearance of a more open and inviting room, making it look less like a medical surgery. Electrical sources are usually readily available inside dental cabinetry, and are easy to have placed inside interior walls. Most importantly, the light is still within easy reach of the doctor when he or she needs to use it.

Each potential mounting location for a dental light brings with it challenges. No single solution will work for every practice, and often a mix of styles must be used within a single office. As with all equipment decisions, the key is to carefully look over your plans and choose the best style for your needs.

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No, no, no - I am not asking you to hire a Dental Assistant called Tina!

On a serious note, it is a curious fact that so many dental offices leave the most basic of handpiece maintenance to chance. With current turbine replacement costs for some brands topping $550, not properly maintaining handpieces is like throwing money away.

The best way to ensure your dental handpieces are being properly maintained is to use a machine, like the Assistina 301 Plus.

Many manufacturers offer handpiece lubricators, but given the machine’s simplicity and long service history, it is really hard to beat the Assistina in terms of value and reliability. Installation of an Assistina requires only an air line in the room. If not present, an air line can usually be run into the room from a nearby operatory with minimal difficulty.

The Assistina does the two things necessary to keep your dental handpieces running smoothly.

The first is that is dispenses the proper amount of oil. The second is that after dispensing the lubricant, it runs the handpiece. Running the handpiece is a crucial step, ensuring that the vital lubricant is thoroughly and evenly dispersed throughout all of the bearings and gears in your handpieces. The Assistina also flushes the water lines with an alcohol cleaner to help keep them clean, although this is really just a bonus step and isn’t really necessary for handpiece maintenance.

Maintaining the Assistina is easy. When it comes time to reorder the cleaning solution and lubricant, order the entire service kit and replace the filters on the machine as well.

Finally, check the motor coupling shaft daily to ensure that the two o-rings are present. If one is missing, pop a new one on.

Given the high prices of handpiece repair, and their necessity in the field of dentistry, an Assistina will probably save an average dental office enough money to pay for itself in the first year. Increasing your turbine life from 10 months to 16 months could save thousands of dollars over the life span of your handpieces.

You can learn more about the Assistina, and download a pdf version of its brochure  here

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