Dental Industry

Steam Cleaners and Polishers are an important piece of equipment in dental laboratories. They offer a quick, efficient way of cleaning porcelain, metal, dentures, and casts during the prosthesis-fabrication process. Because of advances in technology, the heavy cumbersome steam cleaners and polishers of the past that had exposed pipe fittings have given way to more efficient, compact, and attractive models. Having a good, reliable steam cleaner and polisher in your laboratory helps to increase productivity.

There are several factors to consider when replacing your current steam cleaner and polisher or purchasing one for the first time. The first factor is the capacity of the water reservoir. Ideally, after being filled and turned on in the morning, the steam cleaner and polisher should last throughout the day without needing to be refilled. Units with a water reservoir capacity of 1/2 gallon or less work well in laboratories with fewer than 6 people. Larger dental laboratories should consider a unit with a capacity that is greater than 1/2 gallon. Units with a capacity over 1.5 gallons or ones with a continuous water-feed feature would work well in high-production areas or military area dental laboratories. Other features that should be considered include the unit’s ability to generate wet and/or dry steam, its steam pressure adjustment features, and the type of the steam nozzle it has (e.g., hand-held or built-in). For most dental laboratory work such as removing wax, polishing residue, and disclosing media, wet steam works best. Having the ability to adjust the unit’s steam pressure level can be advantageous when cleaning restorations such as porcelain veneers where lower pressure can reduce the risk of damage. A built-in steam nozzle positioned over a sink gives the operator the freedom of using both hands and it also helps to limit over spray. On the other hand, a hand-held spray nozzle allows more freedom of movement, but it does not contain over spray as well. Also, hand-held nozzles have a tendency to build up condensation in the hose, which is expelled from the nozzle before the steam. Other important factors that can help you choose the proper steam cleaner and polisher for your laboratory include the composition of the water reservoir and location of the heating element. Units that have a water reservoir that is stainless steel with the heating element wrapped around the outside of the reservoir will require the least maintenance and may not necessitate the use of distilled water. The composition of the stainless steel reservoir is practically immune to rust and corrosion and therefore; maintenance of these steam cleaners and polishers requires periodic water flushing to clean out sediment in the tank. Units with the heating element on the inside of the water reservoir generally require the use of distilled water and may need cleaning with a chemical periodically to prevent mineral build-up or corrosion of the heating element. The location of the heating element should not affect the service life of the machine, however, as long as proper maintenance is performed. The location of the heating element was not included in our synopsis table, but can be determined by contacting the manufacturer.