Practice Tips #126: Simple Easy Repairs & Maintenance

What Can You Repair Without a Technician?

You and your staff can often repair various equipment and systems within your practice, depending on skills, training, and the complexity of the issue. At American Dental Accessories, we empower our customers to repair a lot of their equipment on their own. Over the years, Practice Tips like this one, showcase simple and easy to do repairs and maintenance anyone can do with a little guidance.

1. Handpieces

You can frequently maintain and repair handpieces yourself. This involves tasks like replacing o-rings, turbines, canisters, tubing, and connectors.

• An often overlooked spot on a handpiece is cleaning the chuck. Lubricate the chuck and move a bur in and out to get some of the debris out of the handpiece. The most important thing to preventing handpiece failure is proper cleaning and lubrication of the handpiece to ensure optimal performance (Practice Tip #65).

2. Air/Water Syringes

The air/water syringe is one of the most commonly used items in the operatory, so parts have the potential to clog or simply go bad. Buttons, o-rings, and tubing are all things you can replace on your own in just minutes.

• The most notorious part to wear or become clogged is the syringe water button. As a temporary fix, you can always exchange the air button for the water. If the buttons stick, use silicone lubricant on the o-rings and the buttons will work smoothly again.
• Read more about syringe repair in Practice Tip #12, #13, #41, and #43.

3. Autoclaves and Sterilizers

Maintenance and minor repairs of autoclaves, such as replacing gaskets yearly, cleaning chambers, and ensuring proper functioning of controls, can be managed by staff.

• Read about troubleshooting these in Practice Tip #27 and #28.

4. Compressors

You can perform basic maintenance tasks on compressors, such as changing filters, checking and adjusting pressure settings, and addressing minor leaks.

• Read more about compressor maintenance in Practice Tip #119.

5. Central Vacuum Systems

One of the most important and simple dental repair chores is the changing of the central vacuum filter on a regular basis. It can be a messy job, but once the bowl of the filter starts getting dark and cloudy, it is time to change the screen with a new one.

• Read more about vacuum canisters in Practice Tip #121.

6. Evacuation Valves

Vacuum evacuation valves need to be cleaned and lubricated on a regular basis. Remove valves from the system, leaving the base attached to the tubing. Be sure to remove the lever and push out the barrel on both HVE and SE valves. Clean the inside of the valves with a cleaning brush (#03-54 for SE valves and #03-53 for HVE valves). Clear the valve of debris and empty the barrel space well. Make sure to also lubricate the o-rings with silicone lubricant (#03-40) and reassemble the valves.

• Watch our Practice Tip #52 video on how to clean and provide routine maintenance of your vacuum valves.

7. Curing Lights

Simple routine maintenance and troubleshooting of light curing units, includes replacing bulbs, checking light intensity, and ensuring proper curing times. These things can be done by staff.

• We recommend using plastic barrier sleeves to prevent curing light damage caused by disinfectant cleaners.

8. Ultrasonic Scalers

Ultrasonic scaling devices commonly get clogs due to biofilm build-up, but this is something you can get up and running without a technician. Before you get a clog, make sure to purge your scaler water lines at the end of the day.

• Read more about how to restore flow to your scaler in Practice Tip #88.

9. Clean Water Systems

One of the handiest things about a self contained clean water system is that you can air purge. Air purging takes care of the standing water in your lines. Do not forget to purge your syringe and scaler too.

• At the end of the day, after air purging, remove your bottles from the system, empty them out, and let them sit out to dry.
• Cleaners can also be ran through the system on a regular basis. This helps clear out biofilm. Read more about this in Practice Tip #78 and #120.

10. Dental Operatory Lights

Changing out operatory light bulbs, light sockets, and lens shields are some of the basic maintenance chores that you do on a regular basis and never have to think twice about.

• Picking out the right bulb for your equipment does not have to be difficult. Read Practice Tip #82 to learn more about choosing the right bulb.
• If you notice your light "drifting," read Practice Tip #94 on how to correct that.

Regular maintenance of equipment is a necessary component to making your dental practice efficient. Read more about regular maintenance in Practice Tip #34. For more complicated issues or those involving specialized knowledge (such as major electrical problems or complex mechanical failures), consult with professional technicians or the equipment manufacturer to ensure safe and effective repair.