Dental Suction Systems
A dental suction system collects blood, saliva, and other debris generated during the dental procedures. These systems effectively reduce the amount of spray and splatter formed.
Advanced modern suction systems combine vacuum generation with
simultaneous separation of secretions and solid wastes collected. This systems
somehow eliminates the need of additional separation units or medical waste
management systems.
Aerosol and Splatter in dentistry
Aerosols and droplets are the unavoidable byproducts in our day to day
practice.
Different studies have shown that aerosols or droplets produced by the dental procedures are contaminated with bacteria and blood.
Airborne spread
of tuberculosis, measles and SARS, MERS are well documented in many literatures.
Now in the advent of COVID-19 it is definite that the spread of SARS CoV2 virus
will take this potential route for the disease transmission.
Airborne spread of diseases.
The potential for spread of disease has been recognized for many years. Recent
studies have shown this mode of transmission is capable of spreading fatal
diseases like COVID-19.
Many dental procedures produce extensive aerosols and splatter that are
routinely contaminated with bacteria, viruses and blood.
In the past, the potential for these aerosols and splatter to be a vector of
disease spread has not been emphasized in dental infection control. Now it has
become a potential risk for the dental practitioners and their assistants.
CRT screening for a Dental Office
It is a low-cost screening method to represent the potential threat on airborne
contamination. Bacterial cells are negatively charged while the Cathode Ray
Tubes (CRT) used in this screening method generates positively charged static
electric fields. The bacteria dispersed with the aerosols get attracted to the
positively charged screens and the CRT monitor shows their range of spread. It
is shown in a study that pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus were found
in different locations away from the dental chairs where the AGP was performed.
Tooth preparation dust
To evaluate the environmental pollution in a dental clinic during tooth
preparation, the microorganism spread was monitored by counting colony forming
units (CFU) with the “Anderson Microbe Sampler.” The test was conducted in two
different conditions. Using an “Extra-oral Vacuum Aspirator” (EOVA) can
effectively reduce the spread of oral-streptococci.
It is evident that drilling a human tooth produces the infectious aerosol which
increases in size of about 0.5-5.0 micrometers. This is microbiologically and
hygienically hazardous and also can be inhaled easily.
Dental Vacuum System types:
Dental vacuum systems are classified as, DRY, Semi-DRY, WET systems.
a)
DRY systems: Here with an air separator dental detritus,
sputa, cooling water from high speed drills are removed from the air flow and passed
into the drain before entering into the vacuum pump. In these devices vacuum
pump and separators are two different devices used.
b)
Semi-DRY systems: It’s almost like the DRY system where
the similar separation technique takes place but the air separator and the
vacuum pump are combined into one device.
c)
WET systems: Here larger solids are removed before the
air and water enters the pump. Later air and water are separated.
A
further classification of Dental suction systems are according to the air
volume flow rate provided.
a)
HIGH VOLUME suction: A vacuum system with air intake
volume about 250ltr/min at each cannula. This is the most recommended suction
system in our practice.
b)
MEDIUM VOLUME suction: A suction system with air intake
volume about 90-250ltr/min.
c)
LOW VOLUME suction: Air intake volume is less than
90ltr/min. These systems are not useful in dentistry.
Gross
Classification:
a) NORMAL VACUUM System: Here the suction power is generated
from the Dental unit. No additional auxiliary machines are required.
> Advantages: No additional space required. No additional investments
required.
> Disadvantages: Unstable and
very weak suction power.
Easy
to block
Failure
to meet surgical suction requirements.
Easy
to produce secondary pollution
b) CENTRAL VACUUM System: Here an additional suction machine
is used to enhance the performance. As
described before, here comes the WET, DRY and Semi-DRY suction systems.
Advantages
and Disadvantages:
a)WET VACUUM System:
Advantages:
Low cost
Less
space occupancy
Generated
sound is lower.
More
flexible to use and to maintain.
Disadvantages: Increased wastage of water
Inconsistent
suction
Maintenance
charges is higher.
Single
motor system so in case of a motor failure total unit stops working.
b)DRY VACUUM System:
Advantages: Reduction in water wastage.
Variable
speed motor allows consistent vacuum flow.
Electrical
utility costs are low.
Less
maintenance required.
If
motor fails it can switch into the Normal suction system without hampering the
work.
Disadvantages:
Initial investment is pretty higher.
Generates
loud sounds. May cause discomfort inside the clinic.
It
occupies a lot of area.
Servicing
charges are additional investments.
If
the main motor fails and requires replacement it’s very costly.
Considerations before purchasing a Dental Suction System
1) “Oil” vacuum pumps or “Oil-free” vacuum pumps.Usually all DRY Vac systems use “Oil” pumps or “Oil-free” pumps. Oil vac systems are cheaper but exhaust oil vapors inside the clinic environment. It requires regular oil maintenance. Using carbon fiber vanes in the pump
eliminates the need for oil and thus makes an “Oil-free” vac system. “Oil=free” vac systems are costly, a little
noisy but highly efficient.
2) Drainage of the vacuum
system.
It
is mandatory to check for the drainage system of a suction unit. Cross
contamination between the drainage
pipe
and the water line can cause severe health damage. Dry vac systems use separate
filter systems to
eliminate
air from the water and debris. A proper gravity drain design helps the suction
unit to drain the water
every
time. Some of the Dry vac systems use a separate tank to hold the
water/blood/debris that needs to be
cleaned
every time after the pump is shut-off. Auto drainage systems are helpful to
reduce the odors than the
holding
tank vacuum systems.
3) Bacterial buildup in the vacuum system.
We are not so much
concerned regarding the fact of bacterial build up inside the vacuum systems. A
reverse water
flow from the drainage pipes can cause the bacterial contamination. Dry vac
systems do not use water fresh
water flow. Hence there is no chance of waste water back flow into the system.
One can use a back flow preventing valve to reduce the chance of bacterial contamination.
4) Noise management. Some
of the dry vac systems use regenerative blower style motors which creates “jet
engine” noise. Advanced
dry vac systems use direct drive electric motors with carbon fiber vanes. This
modifications dramatically
changed the noise management system of a dry vac.
One
should always consider a vacuum system with <50 decibel sound. (41-48dB)
5) Area occupancy.
output, Power source and distance from the chair to the system. A well-organized clinic may face different advert issue due to the suction system installation.
7) Check for the Power consumption.
8) Check how user friendly the system is and try to train your assistant how to clean the system or maintain the system.
9) The best price is not always the great deal.
10) Do not consider the exterior of a vac system for your clinic. Kind of “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
11) Last but not the least, a penny saved is a penny earned.
Noise produced is <60dB
High efficiency HEPA filter technology (H13 HEPA filter)
HEPA filter efficiency 99.97%, 0.3 microns.
Maximum Air flow: 3000ltr/min
4 stage air filtration with Primary filter> UV light filter > Plasma ion sterilization > HEPA filters.
Works both as an extra oral suction unit and Air purifier.
Unit weight 42 Kgs.
Max vacuum capacity 20 kPa (Kilo Pascal)
Noise produced <62 dB
Maximum vacuum capacity <15 kPa
Net weight 14 Kgs.
4 stage air filtration system and 7 levels of filter as described Pre Filters with moist absorption > Activated carbon filter > HEPA filter>UV light sterilization.
The filter system is as follows
2) H-13 HEPA filter with 99.97% efficiency
Extension pipe is mold able and easy to use.
High efficiency HEPA filters used of 99.97% effectiveness (0.3 micron)
H13 HEPA filters
It is very light weight among the other extta oral suctions and flexible to use.
Filter replacement is cost effective and easy.
Maximum vacuum capacity 250ltr/min
Portable Low power suction units
Graphical presentations created by Dr. Arka Bhattacharya
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