A wide range of tools are used in modern dentistry today. From dental cleanup to complex dental surgeries, tools that are used require the dental air compressor to power them. With a variety of air compressors to choose from, making the right selection of machine helps to build a safe and successful practice. One most serious outcome of using a low-quality air compressor is that the patients may be exposed to infections. Even though using a particular type or brand does not give complete protection from pathogenic and other micro-organic bacteria, what can be certainly ensured is the quality of air, the air compressor expels. The danger of bacterial attack and air quality issues makes it a difficult choice for a dentist to choose the right dental air compressor for safe practice. During the selection procedure, the dentists must ask questions related to the features and efficiency of the machine so that safety of their patients and unpleasant accidents can be avoided.
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| Dental Air Compressor |
Quality of Air
The quality of air that a dental air compressor produces is the most important factor that needs to be considered. This is because; the good quality air is safe for the patients and also for the tools the air compressor powers. Since in any medical or surgical procedure, the risk of bacterial infection is very high, utmost care needs to be taken to ensure that the machine is not producing moist air, since accumulated moisture in machinery parts and other tools is a perfect environment for pathogens to develop. In order to reduce the risk of infection and ensure efficient working of the machine, two main requirements can be put forward:
- The atmospheric dew point of the air produced by the dryer system should not measure a particular temperature
- The filter system responsible for dust as well as bacterial filtration should measure a particular aerosol percentage.
Using good quality dental air compressor helps to avoid illness due to contamination and hence the chances of legal action against the doctor and his practice are eliminated.
Equipment Safety
Tools used in dentistry are delicate and need regular maintenance. Since they are expensive too, equipment damage and the need for frequent replacement can hugely impact the revenue generation of the practice. Unclean and moist air can easily damage handpieces, chair valves, handheld drills, scalars etc. to name a few. The pressure of the air compressor plays important role in the efficiency of the tools. A low pressure from the device can not only harm the medical procedure but also make the device operate inefficiently. The moisture content in the air does a lot of harm as the internal parts of the dental air compressor are exposed to reduced precision, corrosion, carbon accumulation and bacterial contamination that lead to a reduction of the working lifespan of the delicate internal parts.
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| Dental Air Compressor |
Lubricated vs. Oil-free Compressor
Two types of dental air compressor are available in the market based on the amount of noise they produce. Both types have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. While oil lubricated dental air compressor is known for their longevity and lower noise production, they may not be the best choice. Though oil-free machines are noisy, many dentists still prefer an unlubricated compressor because of lower risk of contamination. Silencers are a perfect solution for loud cycles of compression as they can be fitted easily to the air compressors. Other benefits include a lightweight design while they still produce the desired pressure and air flow. Other disadvantages of this model are:
- Parts require more frequent maintenance.
- Generate high heat.
- Creates condensation.
- Require more space for air circulation to keep the machine cool.
- Require silencers.