Most jurisdictions in North America now require that dental offices capture and treat waste amalgam rather than dumping it into the sewer. A few years ago, when the idea that this might be happening started to float around, there was a lot of resistance from dental offices. Much of this was simply because of a lack of understanding of how the new laws would work, and how it would impact the day to day operations of a dental practice. Now that these regulations have become commonplace it is nice to see that, aside from the added costs, dental offices have been unaffected by the change.

Waste amalgam management is a simple process. An amalgam separator is installed in the dental office vacuum line to capture the vast majority of the waste. Typically, the amalgam separator is installed before the main suction line filter, so that all waste runs through the special filter on the amalgam separator. What this means is that the amalgam separator filter fills up rather quickly, since all waste product runs through it.

Unfortunately, if the separator is installed after the filter, there is a risk that some amalgam would be captured by the suction filter and be disposed of down the garbage or dumped into a sink. Interestingly, there is no regulation that I am aware of that specifies the order that the filter and separator must be installed. This could be limited to my knowledge, so it is best to follow the recommendations of your local service technician.

The separator that I have found (based purely on my experience) to be the most trouble free is the Solmetex HG5. This filter system uses disposable cartridges that last from six months to a year. With no moving parts, there is very little to go wrong with the equipment, which means that the chance of a breakdown caused by this equipment is quite small. Learn more about the HG5 at http://www.solmetex.com/2_dental/hg5.html.

Tags: dental amalgamators, Dental Equipment

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However, with the growing use of composite materials the dental amalgamator slowly moved out of the spotlight in the operatory. Often the machines languish in a drawer until something breaks, and then they are discarded.

Some Dentists still realize the value that these little machines have. Whether you are mixing amalgams for restorations, using amalgam as a core buildup material, or you are using one of the new restorative products that require rapid mechanical mixing, there is still a market for the amalgamator.

What Exactly Does A Dental Amalgamator Do?

Simply put, a dental amalgamator is a mechanical means of mixing small capsules very precisely. They run at a constant speed for a set amount of time to ensure that the contents of the capsule are thoroughly combined. It sounds pretty simple, and it is.

What Should I look For In A New Or Used Dental Amalgamator?

Start with the most basic question of any dental equipment purchase.

Do you have other amalgamators in your office at this time? If so, and they are modern machines, it might be best to stick with the same brand. Your staff will be familiar with the operation of the machine, your results will be consistent from room to room, and in the event of a breakdown it is more likely that your service person will have parts available in a timely manner.

Functionally, there are few differences between amalgamators. Generally you will have a Time Adjust button, and a Start button; somewhere on the back of the machine will be a power switch.

As you move upscale, it is not uncommon to find other options such as speed settings (usually fast, medium, and slow).

Some amalgamators even have programmable buttons: this enables you to automatically hit button ‘Program A’ for an amalgam, button ‘Program B’ for your 3M Ketac Cem Maxicaps, and the machine will take care of the time and speed settings for each.

If you are using the machine for multiple applications, this is a nice feature that can save time and frustration.

Appearance is a concern for some, but more importantly you should take size into account. It is the same as dental handpieces, where functionality and ease of use should take precedence over style or appearance. Counter space in an operatory is growing scarce as more and more real estate is being swallowed up by curing lights, digital x-ray sensors and a wider variety of tools. Smaller might be better. If you have a drawer in your cabinetry to accept the machine, check the dimensions to ensure that the machine you choose will fit.

The final thing to consider is related to appearance, but in terms of ease of use.

Are the buttons labeled clearly, and are they easy to press? Does the machine have smooth buttons which can easily be protected from contamination with stick on barriers or easily wiped clean after use, or does it use bulky knobs to twist that will be a nightmare to clean?

Are There Any Service Issues With Amalgamators?

Dental amalgamators tend to be very reliable pieces of equipment. They are run for only very short periods of time so electrical breakdowns are rare. There are two main problems that people have with their amalgamators.

The first is simply cosmetic. Wear and tear takes their toll, as do the disinfecting chemicals that offices use to clean them. It’s not uncommon to see cracked touch pads, missing lettering, or broken doors.

The second common problem is that the springs that grip the capsule simply weaken over time, and no longer hold tight. This repair is usually fairly inexpensive - sometimes the forks only need to be bent inwards to restore the grip and add years of service life to the machine. When parts do need to be replaced they are inexpensive and fast to change out. Rarely an electrical problem will develop with the circuit board or motor. Usually, problems such as this will require the unit to be sent away for repair, as the speed should be checked with a special strobe light to ensure accuracy.

Review the information above. Once you have decided on the things that you want your dental amalgamator to do for you, you will have narrowed down the choices available to you to just a couple of models. From there, you can compare prices and make your decision.

You can find dental amalgamators for sale here.

Tags: dental amalgamators, Dental Equipment

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