Similar to biofilm management in the prophylaxis, a combined method is used for the suction system. Prophylaxis employees know: Biofilm protects the bacteria that form it – against antibiotics, for example. More precisely, the film-forming micro-organisms adhere very tightly to the populated areas and form a layer of polysaccharides, which significantly hinders the intrusion of foreign substances. For the suction system this means: Not every disinfectant is suitable for this special area. Depending on the active ingredients, pH values or specific physical conditions, they cannot achieve their effectiveness unhindered.
That's why the "chemical method" using mouthwashes is not sufficient against the biofilm in patients. And the same applies to the suction system. That the pipelines can clog is no surprise. After all, blood, saliva, filling materials and prophylaxis powder flow through them countless times a day. For the simple application of disinfection and cleaning products, a special care system, such as the OroCup from Dürr Dental, is recommended. This care system is matched to the suction unit and also offers connection adapters for all suction hoses. The products are mixed with air and sucked into the suction unit through the OroCup. In this way the products can achieve their maximum cleaning and disinfection power and break up the biofilm.
Generally, the suction unit is disinfected each day after the last patient has left and the disinfectant is left to work for at least 60 minutes, or conveniently overnight. The next morning, just rinse through once with cold water – warm water reduces the effect of some disinfectants and tends to form foam in conjunction with blood.
Additional cleaning of the suction unit with a special cleaner every seven days keeps the system in top form and clean. These special cleaners (e.g. MD 555 cleaner from Dürr Dental) dissolve incrustations and silting of lime scale and prophylaxis powder.
But what can be done if it is too late and the biofilm has caused the suction unit to break down? Then, a more aggressive approach is necessary. Here a decontamination of the suction unit is recommended. A special cleaner with a higher concentration as well as a cleaning agent and disinfectant are used for this.
It is better to carry out biofilm management of the suction unit each day and not to allow a breakdown to occur in the first place.
Daily cleaning and disinfection at the end of the treatment day is recommended for managing the biofilm of the suction unit.