Whenever operating a dental air compressor or any other noisy equipment — lawnmowers, food blenders, vacuums, etc. — it’s wise to wear earplugs to protect your hearing. Even though you might feel as though your ears are tough enough to bear the volume, ears are like eyes. In the same way that vision diminishes somewhat over the course of life, so too does hearing. As with eyesight, the weakening of the ear drum can be accelerated through constant abuse.

The dentist with a wet vacuum system is hit with a double water bill, once on the way in, and again on the way out. Since, a dry vacuum system does not require the water that wet systems do, there is a very positive financial impact (in addition to the environmental one) in switching to the newer technology when the old system needs to be replaced.

The recent introduction of various dry vacuum systems eliminates these concerns and provides excellent clinical vacuuming power. The concerns of retro-fitting a new unit center on practicality and cost. The replacement dry system should be no larger than the existing wet one, and should preferably provide more suction capacity for the practice. Other parameters include reduction of noise and the drainage requirements; most wet system traps must be drained on a regular basis, a task usually allotted (due to its popularity) to the staff member with the least seniority.

Both systems work well for dentistry. However, a new wet vac creates up to 15″ Hg suction pressure while a new dry vac (some but not all) creates up to 25″ Hg. This provides the power and performance that the dentist expects from the vacuum system. This is probably the single most important factor to consider when selecting a new vacuum and should be carefully researched. (Some dry vacs produce only 8″ Hg suction pressure.)

Many of the currently available dry vacs utilize oil in their motors( micro motor ) for lubrication and cooling, much like a car. The “oil” dry vacs therefore exhaust oil vapors which pollute their immediate environment. The also require regular oil maintenance. The newer dental dry vacs can create powerful vacuum without using oil. Carbon fiber vanes eliminate the need for oil in the process. There are no oil levels to check, no oil to add, no oil to change, and most importantly, no oil in the exhaust that can be harmful to people and animals, and can cause severe damage to a roof or building exterior.

Some “dry” vacuum systems offer a unique air-water separator. There is a compact plastic air-water separator that collects liquids and drains them efficiently into a small 20 gallon pail. Working with a gravity drain design, the tank drains every time the pump is shut off. The smaller tank drains more frequently, reducing the odors that are often synonymous with dental evacuation systems. This also eliminates the need for cleaning (something that every staff member will appreciate). Should the tank require draining during the day, the cycle takes approximately 6 minutes.