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Category Archives: Dental Practice Advice

Tech Tips #28: Troubleshooting Sterilizers- Part 2

Temperature-related problems are very common in sterilizers. A lag thermometer will help diagnose heating related issues. When experiencing heat-related issues (either low or high) leaving a lag thermometer in the sterilizer for a complete cycle will verify the maximum temperature achieved during that cycle. Sometimes it’s just a bad thermometer/temperature gauge on the sterilizer [...]
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VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Statim® With A Steam Leak

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: One of the doctors we work with could not figure out why her Statim® 2000 sterilizer continued to leak steam after replacing the cassette seal and the cassette. You will find out why it is important to always have an extra cassette seal on hand. For more information about Statim® Sterilizers, including troubleshooting and maintenance, [...]
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Tech Tips #27: Troubleshooting Sterilizers- Part 1

This month, rather than dedicating an entire issue to a specific make or model of sterilizer (such as we did with Decoding the Statim) we’re going to discuss general theories of operation and steps to take to troubleshoot steam or chemical vapor sterilizers. These concepts can be applied to most any brand or model of [...]
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Tech Tips #26: X-Ray Film Quality Issues

X-Ray Film Quality Issues & How to Resolve Them X-rays are extremely important diagnostic tools integral to treatment planning. Practitioners commonly have trouble with films coming out of the processor too light, too dark, or with an otherwise poor appearance. This months issue of Tech Tips discusses many of the common problems with x-ray films and the [...]
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Tech Tips #25: Multimeters

Multimeters A number of items in the dental office are powered by electricity. Many of those things we’ve examined in past issues of Tech Tips (e.g. sterilizers) have a variety of circuits, switches etc. to control function. Now we will introduce the use of multimeters to help troubleshoot electrical problems. We can’t cover every check of every [...]
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Tech Tips #24: Amalgam Separators

The Right Amalgam Separator for You Dental amalgam has frequently been in the news and the FDA is planning on meeting in December of 2010 to further discuss the classification of amalgam. While amalgam is a cost-effective restorative material, when introduced into the waste stream, amalgam can be broken down into its constituent components (most often through [...]
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VIDEO EXCLUSIVE – Turbine Repair

We have had several calls from Dentists who are looking for ways to save money in their practice and of particular interest to them has been the ProPress250 Turbine Repair Press (part #25-010) and how it works. We are proud to present a video demonstration of our turbine repair press. American Dental Accessories, Inc. We offer every day low [...]
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Tech Tips #23: Getting to Know Your Utility Center

Getting to Know Your Utility Center Your utility center or junction box assembly (j-box) houses the valves and regulators that distribute your air and water sources to your delivery unit.  The j-box may also house  the drains for cuspidor and/or central vacuum system as well as a duplex electrical supply to power your fiber optic systems (or other [...]
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Amalgam Separators, the FDA, and Your Practice

Here are the facts: On December 14th, the FDA will again revisit the scientific issues surrounding dental amalgam.  Many States have established their own regulations, but the government may rule as Canada did, establishing mandatory amalgam separator installation, sooner rather than later. Dental amalgam has already been banned in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, traditionally countries that have [...]
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Tech Tips #22: Highspeed Handpiece Design

Highspeed Handpiece Design You use your handpiece every day. It’s one of the most important pieces of equipment in the dental office, but how does it work? As you probably know, a typical highspeed handpiece uses air to rotate a cutting bur at about 350,000 rpm’s. These instruments are among the fastest spinning turbines in the world. Midwest, [...]
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