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The Importance of Choosing Good Quality Dental Compressor

When you’re using a poor-quality dental air compressor system that delivers either dirty air or an air compressor that delivers air at a lower pressure than required, you’ll see low-quality or even no operation of these devices. If air pressure is good, but the air itself is unclean, then you’re risking internal damage to those units, reducing their overall lifespan.

The biggest concern is moist air that can harm delicate internal machinery and quickly make your tools unusable. Moisture can lead to corrosion, microorganism contamination and decrease the precision of your tools. For those who select a low-quality air compressor, a common issue is carbon buildup that poses an even greater danger to the machinery in handpieces.

Electric dental handpieces also tend to have a greater cost and a higher number of parts that you’ll need to maintain, while air-driven pieces can be obtained in full, often for less than $1,000. Air-driven handpieces also tend to be lighter and easier to handle, with the latest innovations providing greater torque so you can use them for many applications over a longer period of time.

Oil-lubricated air compressors tend to be quieter and can last longer than other models, making them seem like a top choice for a dental office, but that may not be the case.

The main reason many dentists choose an oil-free compressor is because they have a lower risk of contaminating the compressed air with lubricant. These units also tend to be lighter, allowing them to be placed in a wider range of areas, while still creating as much air flow and pressure as many oil-lubricated models.

Removing the risk of contaminating the air is the biggest win and makes the most sense because it can protect the health and safety of your patients, staff and those in your office waiting areas. While you will need to perform maintenance slightly more often, the health and safety concerns significantly outweigh any benefit you’d see from using the heavier, lubricated models.

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HOW TO MAINTAIN DENTAL AIR COMPRESSORS Correctly

An air compressor is capable of working under all types of weather, providing that the compressor is kept in optimal shape and the operating environment is suited to the technology. With periodic maintenance of your compressed air system and its room of operation, you could enjoy optimal performance throughout the year with minimal downtime. Therefore, it’s wise to mark each of the following steps onto select seasonal dates of your working calendar.

The temperature that surrounds a dental air compressor is integral to the quality of the machine’s performance. If the air that surrounds the compressor is hotter than normal due to rising outdoor temperatures, it can affect the performance of pneumatic tools and machines. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that the air compressor itself maintains consistent temperatures throughout the year, including those months where outdoor temperatures top 80 degrees.

In order to prevent an air compressor from getting hotter during summer, the coolers must be cleaned each year just as temperatures begin to rise. If the coolers are clogged, it could impede their ability to keep your compressed air system at desired levels. To prevent this from happening, perform the following actions several weeks in advance of each summer: Inspect the coolers for traces of dirt, gunk or misty residue. Clean away any dirt deposits present on the coolers.

If the air compressor gets overheated, the impact could be troublesome for the compressor itself, as well as for any attached pneumatic tools and machinery. If a compressor is used to power air blowers, for example, the quality of air that reaches the end point could be ill–suited to the task at hand when the system is overheated.

The filtration system is integral to the efficiency of an air compressor. As long as the air and oil are sufficiently filtered throughout a given cycle, the air compressor can be expected to produce cool air at consistent volumes with an overall smooth performance from the machine. However, if the filters are clogged with dirt, pressure drop can ensue, and this forces the air compressor to work harder just to perform basic functions. Consequently, energy gets consumed and parts get worn in the process.

Maintenance of an air compressor unit is only part of what keeps a compressed air system in optimal condition throughout the four seasons of a given year. In order to keep a well–functioning compressor performing up to par, you also need to ensure that the compressor room is maintained with optimal working conditions for the machinery contained within.

Dental Compressor

How to Maintain the Dental Air Compressor

A dental air compressor pressurizes atmospheric air for use in procedures. Standard compressors are not suitable for this purpose because they may not meet health and safety standards. Dental firms can choose from an array of models designed for small, medium, and large practices with a variety of features.

The operation of an air system requires more than just an ability to turn the right switches. One of the most important aspects of the whole operation is the maintenance of the compressor and various other components, because this ensures long life and efficiency for an air system. Unfortunately, compressed air maintenance mistakes are often made by operators who’ve only familiarized themselves with the basic workings of the equipment.

Common mistakes in compressed air maintenance include failure to assess energy costs and the impacts of contamination and condensation. These mistakes alone can lead to inefficiency and parts failure that can result in losses in the tens of thousands over the course of a given year. Further compressed air maintenance mistakes include a lack of attention to secondary components and a failure to properly train all members on staff of the finer nuances of compressor operation.

Compressed air should always be oil free. Nonetheless, oil serves as a necessary evil in the process of air compression. As such, the process has its share of potential consequences. As the air is compressed, oil is used for the purposes of cooling, lubrication, and sealing. Unfortunately, up to half of the degraded oil can pass through the system in vaporized form, especially when temperatures are high. The system itself can also draw unburned hydrocarbons, which condense once cooled. When acidic oil vapors mesh with moisture in the compressed air, corrosive buildup forms along the air receivers and valve cylinders.

It must be noted that dental oilless air compressors are not contaminant-resistant compressors. In other words, the inlet valve of an oil-free compressor cannot magically filter out airborne contaminants from ambient air. Just as with an oil-lubricated system, an oil-free compressor needs filtration to keep water, dirt, unburned hydrocarbons, and other impurities from the compression process.

Some manufacturers offer refurbished units which have been carefully serviced before sale. These units are similar to those that are new, but have a lower price because they’ve been gently used. It may also be possible to rent a unit, which can help defray the startup costs for a dental practice. The equipment needed to start offering services to patients can be substantial, making it expensive to start a new business.

Dental Compressor

The Problems of Dental Air Compressor

One major problem that emerges in compressed air systems is pressure drop, which is marked by a loss of pressure between the compressor and the end point. While a certain amount of pressure drop is inevitable, it should never amount to more than a 10 percent loss of pressure during a given application. Otherwise, higher pressure demands end up being placed on the compressor, which results in more rapid wear and tear across the entirety of an air system.

For each pound of pressure either increased or decreased, a power plus or minus 0.5 percent is required. For example, a five percent power savings can be gained with a decrease of 10 psig. On a 100 hp compressor, this would translate to $1,740 in annual energy savings.

Pressure drop is usually caused by trouble with the pipes and weaknesses at the filters and dryers. Unfortunately, system operators will often compensate for the pressure loss by boosting the system pressure, which results in costlier operations. The correct way to handle this issue is to check for problems at the filters and dryers and replace certain items as necessary.

It’s crucial for air system pipes to remain clean and free of dirt, rust or other contaminants. After all, compressed air reaches its end point through these pipes. When contaminants are present, air pressure weakens, and the problem gradually accelerates when left un–rectified. The pipes should always remove air from the top of the air line, otherwise contaminants will travel to the pneumatic tools.

Airstream contamination increases with velocity, which in turn increases with restrictions in pipe size. Basically, the velocity of the pipes that run to the end point should be 50 seconds or less, while the interconnecting pipes and main headers should have velocity in the range of 20 to 30 feet per second. System velocity can be calculated by dividing the flow in cfm by the pipe’s compression ratio, divided by the pipe area, divided by 60.

Another factor that can impact condensation is the ambient temperature that surrounds a facility. Simply put, condensation levels multiply as temperatures rise from average to humid. For example, a 200 hp compressor will produce roughly 50 gallons of condensate over the course of a 60–degree day. However, that same machine will generate more than five times the amount of condensate if the temperature is 30 degrees higher. A 200 hp compressor will produce roughly 50 gallons of condensate over the course of a 60-degree day.

Further inefficiency can stem from problems with the system drains, which are designed to deal with condensation. Drains are placed at strategic points along a dental air compressor system, such as the tank, dryer and aftercooler. The trouble emerges when the drain fails to do its job properly, and sludge accumulates along the drainage points from a mix of water, oil and dirt.

Some of the most common mistakes in compressed air maintenance are easily avoidable if everyone on an air system staff understands how to properly care for the equipment at hand. From the compressor itself to the various parts that make up an air system, routine inspections along key areas must be made for signs of wear, condensation and dirt deposits.

Dental Compressor

How to Choose the Good Dental Compressor

Some units are portable, allowing practitioners to move them around as needed. Others are mounted in a practice. For hygiene reasons, the dental air compressor is typically attached to short tubing. Dentists may place a unit between two treatment rooms, for example, providing access from either side while leaving the tubes short to reduce the risk of breeding bacteria. The best option for a facility can depend on the number of patients it sees and the kinds of procedures it performs with the use of compressed air.

A small compressor has the advantage of being lightweight, quieter and cheaper. However, if asked to work beyond its capacity, it will overheat and cut out. It is often suggested that if the practice intends to perform restorative work it is best to have an oilless compressor, to prevent oil droplets in the airline contaminating the restorative material.

The temperature that surrounds an air compressor is integral to the quality of the machine’s performance. If the air that surrounds the compressor is hotter than normal due to rising outdoor temperatures, it can affect the performance of pneumatic tools and machines. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that the air compressor itself maintains consistent temperatures throughout the year, including those months where outdoor temperatures top 80 degrees.

In recent years, increased awareness over the detriments of air contamination has spurred the development of advanced filtering systems for compressed air. The trend has gained steam in tandem with the move towards conservation and energy efficiency, both of which have been aided by the widespread adoption of pneumatic tools and machinery.

In order to prevent an air compressor from getting hotter during summer, the coolers must be cleaned each year just as temperatures begin to rise. If the coolers are clogged, it could impede their ability to keep your compressed air system at desired levels. To prevent this from happening, perform the following actions several weeks in advance of each summer:

Inspect the coolers for traces of dirt, gunk or misty residue.
Clean away any dirt deposits present on the coolers.

If the air compressor gets overheated, the impact could be troublesome for the compressor itself, as well as for any attached pneumatic tools and machinery. If a compressor is used to power air blowers, for example, the quality of air that reaches the end point could be ill–suited to the task at hand when the system is overheated.

Both new and used dental air compressor options are available. Some manufacturers offer refurbished units which have been carefully serviced before sale. These units are similar to those that are new, but have a lower price because they’ve been gently used. It may also be possible to rent a unit, which can help defray the startup costs for a dental practice. The equipment needed to start offering services to patients can be substantial, making it expensive to start a new business.

Dental Compressor

The Improve of Dental Vacuum Systems

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.

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How does the High-speed Dental Unit Works

Air driven high-speed dental units are driven by a dental air compressor. The entry-level models all have three handpieces. They all provide a water reservoir. Some will provide a spare airline yoke for a second slow-speed hand-piece or a sonic scaler.

Advantages

Very reliable and versatile, if properly maintained.
Allows the practice to grow into more sophisticated level of work, with appropriate training.
Leads to greater job satisfaction for operators.

Disadvantages

Relatively high initial cost compared to other equipment (circa ￡2,000).

High-speed Hand Piece

The high speed handpiece is capable of up to 400,000 rpm. It takes friction grip burs (FG) and has a water cooling facility for the bur. The water flow supplied to the hand piece can be varied or switched off completely.

The handpiece provides low torque, which causes the bur to stall if pressed too hard onto the tooth (over 1-2 ounces of pressure).

It is used for the drilling of access points into teeth, for high speed sectioning of teeth during extraction and cutting or re-modelling of bone.

The handpiece needs regular lubrication during the session and can be autoclaved.
Air/water Syringe

The air/water syringe has two buttons – one to control water flow and one to control airflow.

It allows a stream of water, air or a fine mist.
Slow Speed Handpiece

The slow speed handpiece has an air-driven motor in the base. It is capable of forward and reverse movement and speeds of up to 30,000 rpm.

The control on the collar controls the speed and direction of the bur.

The slow speed handpiece has a very high torque. It is difficult to stall and can overheat the pulp if used for more than a few seconds on one tooth.

It is very versatile and can accept long HP burs in the nose cone, polishing cups in a prophy angle and, with the contra-angle, right angle (RA) burs or any other type of latch tool. Other latch tools include polishing cups, sanding discs, root canal paste fillers and diamond discs.
Compressor

The size and type of air compressor you may require should be considered at the time of purchase. Reservoirs are available from 4 gallons to 12 gallons supplying between 6-8 cubic feet/min (CFM).

A small compressor has the advantage of being lightweight, quieter and cheaper. However, if asked to work beyond its capacity, it will overheat and cut out. It is often suggested that if the practice intends to perform restorative work it is best to have an oil-less compressor, to prevent oil droplets in the airline contaminating the restorative material.

Compressors are available with motors from 0.5 horsepower (Hp) to a unit with dual 1Hp motors for heavy use.

Dental Compressor

Different Types of Dental Compressor Filter

Dental air compressors are devices that draw atmospheric air into a compression head where it is pressurized and stored in a tank or reservoir for later use. Common uses of the compressed air include driving pneumatic tools, spray painting, or sand blasting. Unfortunately, compressors draw all contaminants present in the air into the system as well. An accumulation of condensation is also an unavoidable by-product of the air compression cycle. Lubricating oil from the compressor head also finds its way into the stored air and, along with dust and moisture, can play havoc with sensitive tools, hoses, or sprayed paint.

Compressor filters are devices used on air compressors to filter dirt particles from the intake air supply, to remove contaminants from the compressor lubricating oil, and to trap moisture in the compressed output air flow. Intake air and oil filters generally feature cassette-type inserts made of cellulose, felted material or woven fabrics. Water filters generally consist of a glass bowl and filter element that separate condensate from the compressed air. The bowls have a drain cock on the bottom to periodically remove all of the trapped water. Compressors of all types benefit significantly from the inclusion of all compressor filter types, and, consequently, a regular inspection of these elements will ensure the longevity of the compressor and the integrity of the compressed air supply.

The most effective way of removing a significant volume of these contaminants is the use of a compressor filter. These devices fall into three basic categories that address all of the common contaminant issues experienced with compressed air systems. The first of these categories are the family of intake air filters. Typically consisting of a cassette type insert in a closed cylinder, these devices are placed in the compressor’s intake air line, where they remove most airborne dust particles. These filter elements are generally made of woven fabrics, cellulose fiber, or felted materials.

The second type of compressor filter is the moisture filter or trap. These filters consist of a filter element in a glass bowl. The structure of the filter causes a cyclonic internal flow pattern, which separates most of the condensate from the compressor’s output air. The water collects in the bowl where it is later drained using a small valve on its bottom section. Combination compressor filter models that remove leached lubrication oil and water are also available.

The last type of compressor filter is a standard oil filter that ensures the compressor’s lubrication oil is kept free of contaminants. These are also cassette-type filters that have specialized core elements similar to an automobile oil filter. The longevity of the compressor mechanism, hoses, and all of the equipment that it drives, as well as the quality of spray paint jobs completed with compressed air, can be enhanced considerably by having these filters in place. For this reason, these filters should be inspected regularly and replaced immediately if worn or defective.

Dental Compressor

The Economics of Owning a Compressed Air System

Compressed air systems form the backbone of industrial manufacturing, are an essential component of medical facilities and are even responsible for keeping commercial food services running. Needless to say, many of the things that Americans have come to take for granted are only possible with the assistance of compressed air.

Compressed air systems provide consistent, responsive power to end-use applications. This power is essential for production plant operations who are looking to keep their employees productive while ensuring that they can complete operations safely and efficiently.

In many ways, the question of whether to replace or repair a compressed air system can be expressed as a mathematical problem. In other words, at which point does the money saved from a new system offset the cost of its purchase?

Luckily, many people have crunched the numbers on this question and have provided a nice basic framework for deciding which approach makes the most sense for your business.

According to PneumaticTips, it’s important to remember that, if you consider the overall cost of ownership of a compressed air system, assuming a ten-year life for the system, the purchase cost only accounts for about 12% of the total. Furthermore, 76% of the cost of owning a compressed air system comes in the form of electricity bills.
To put this in perspective, if you continuously run a 100-hp compressor at full power, you will spend $74,000 a year in energy costs, assuming a rate of 10 cents per kWh.

Therefore, if you are assessing the value of your compressed air system and making your decision in purely economic terms, you need to keep the total cost of ownership in the forefront of your mind. While the cost of repairs may be significantly less than the cost of replacing your system, ask yourself if you’re keeping a system working that’s actually costing you more in the long run by operating less efficiently.

These costs come in many different forms. First, as compressors age, the costs of repairs increase. That’s why you should carefully consider any repair that costs over 50% of the cost of a comparable replacement. But you also need to consider the operational inefficiencies and the subsequent costs of an older dental air compressor. Because of how inefficient some older models are, you may be wasting as much money on energy costs as you would spend on a new compressor.

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What Make a Dental Compressor Become Special

Studies have shown that the air that your dentist uses to blow dry your teeth isn’t always very healthy for you. You might not have thought about it, but somewhere in your dentist clinic is a compressor that supplies the compressed air for all his ‘work stations’. It’s not different from an ordinary workshop, only this time the compressor needs some extra special attention.

Not a nice thought: oil in your mouth. If the compressed air coming from the dental air compressor would contain oil, not only would this give a bad taste in your mouth, it would be a high safety concern. Also, oil in the air will facilitate dirt and bacteria build up in the compressed air system.

In the old days, dentist had no other choice than to buy a oil-lubricated compressor and use filters in the compressed air line to filter out any oil in liquid or vapor form. But, with filters you can never be 100% sure. Filters will get old and require replacement in time, before they deteriorate.

Nowadays, a whole range of oil-free compressors is available on the market. Oil-free compressors have the big advantage that they are 100% oil-free, so there is zero chance of oil in the compressed air system.

Water in the compressed air is a common problem in compressed air system, and it is especially a big concern for dental air systems. Of course, you won’t taste a little water in the compressed air, nor will it be toxic. But, water in the compressed air system will increase the risk of bacteria growth. So you really want to have water-free air coming from your compressor.

Refrigerated compressed air dryers will only give you a pressure dew point of minimum 2 degrees. This means that below two degrees, water condensate will form on the inside of your equipment. This kind of dewpoint is nice for tools and grinders in a workshop, but is not low enough for a dental compressor.

The air that is produced by the compressor is used directly in human mouths. They will inhale the air and swallow any contaminations that is within the compressed air. Of course, the compressor and the compressed air must meet the highest possible standards!

See more: https://www.alandental.com/category-101-b0-Dental-Air-Scaler.html