Today marks the end of our Suction Comparison series. Throughout every segment, we have provided Dental Professionals a better understanding of vacuum terms, how vacuums function, and which type of vacuum system is best for specific applications. Today, we will attempt to share how the information provided over these past eight weeks will assist Dental Professionals in choosing the right system for the specific needs of a Dental Clinic.
We will end this series by discussing the clinic’s future or current infrastructure and choosing the right vacuum system based on the limitations of the clinic.
Clinic’s Infrastructure
When deciding which vacuum to install in a clinic, one must consider the clinic’s existing or future infrastructure.
Water Consumption
If the clinic is in a rural area with a well and septic, there is no question a Dry-vacuum is the right choice. If the clinic pays for their water consumption, and the clinic can vent the pump’s exhaust outside, then a dry-vacuum is also the most economical choice.
Vacuum Trunk Line
As we discussed in our series, not all Dental Vacuum units are ideal in all applications. If the clinic has existing suction lines or restrictions on plumbing vacuum lines, it can affect the type of vacuum you can install in a clinic.
Above Grade or Below - For Dental Clinics, the ideal plumbing is below grade, as the pumps do not have to pull the material up several feet. Unfortunately, in some instances, a vacuum line has to be run through a ceiling instead of underground.
Above Grade (ceiling)– wet-ring pump, or Low-flow dry-vacuum pump (Capable of high inches of Hg)
Below Grade (floor) – All types work with this application.
Diameter- Some older clinics have smaller vacuum lines, in many cases smaller than 1.5”. For most dry-vacuum pumps, they cannot generate the velocity necessary in evacuation lines smaller than 1.5”. Only BaseVac has the capabilities to service vacuum lines as small as a half-inch.
Less than 1.5” – Wet-ring pump and BaseVac Dry-vacuum
1.5” or higher – Any time of dry-vacuum pumps
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We hope you have found this series helpful in choosing the right vacuum system for your clinic. Should you need more information, please call BaseVac at 1-800-668-8736.