Cattani compressor and suction units explained

Suction units and compressors are two of the key things every dental practice needs to have, and it's important to consider a reliable brand so you have peace of mind that the plant equipment will work when needed. In addition to investing in reliable plant to begin with, it's also imperative that a busy dental practice considers back-up support as without either a dentist cannot operate.

The good news is that dental practices looking for reliability, quality and performance have Dentec's range of Cattani products for both suction and compressor units. Cattani are industry leaders in dental plant equipment and have been for more than 50 years, enabling you to benefit from their expertise to deliver reliable performance appointment after appointment.

In this article, we'll look at some of the leading Cattani suction and compression products and highlight a few of the features that make them market leaders in the field.

Cattani suction units

Good quality dental suction is more than just a reliable piece of machinery. It helps ensure the comfort of patients and the health and safety of employees. When investing in the right units, it can reduce treatment room downtime as well as lower operating costs.

Suction units play a vital role in practice hygiene and efficient procedure administration. While a patient is lying on their back the chance of fluid ingress into the throat or particle dispersion from treatment is high, and an ineffective unit will endanger the patient, slow down operating procedures and increase the risk of harm. So what makes an effective suction system and what features should you look out for before investing?

Cattani SMART suction systems

The MicroSMART, TurboSMART, and MultiSMART systems make up the Cattani SMART range which is designed to use intelligent technology to provide consistent, high-performance suction while cutting energy costs. Each of these units also come with a 3-year warranty for peace of mind.

The MicroSMART is a cubelike package using a semi-wet suction system with inverter and manages to produce half the noise of similar-sized systems at only 52 dB(A). In a compact 470mm by 420mm package, the MicroSMART is able to fit almost anywhere and can power the suction for one or two seats at the same time. For a small yet effective suction system, the MicroSMART package is an excellent piece of equipment.

The TurboSMART unit can handle almost double the number of chairs running at the same time while only increasing sound output, over the MicroSMART, by 6.4 dB(A). Available with or without the ISO 18 Hydrocyclone technology and at 1,600 litres of airflow per minute you'll have all the useable suction required for standard procedures. The TurboSMART also benefits from Cattani's noise-reduction technology so while it's slightly louder than its smaller counterpart it's still half the volume of similar alternatives on the market. Available in the small cube format or a larger integrated system, the team at Dentec will be able to guide you to the perfect system for your surgery.

Last, but not least, there is the MultiSMART system. If you're looking to support 12-20 chairs at once then this is the perfect suction infrastructure for your practice. Available with and without Hydrocyclone amalgam retention, these systems come with a built-in redundancy and inverter control as standard and are also available with HEPA filters. The T3 system can handle 12 chairs while the T4 is built for 16 and the T5 up to 20 chairs, ensuring there's a system designed to suit your growth goals.

Cattani backup suction units

The Cattani Aspi-Jet is your suction backup on wheels! It is a handy, mobile back-up suction unit. There are also manual drain and auto-drain units available. The Aspi-Jet system is also perfect for situations where running plumbing to the treatment chair is a challenge and a mobile solution is required.

With a 12 month warranty, this system is perfect as a standalone back-up system in the event of an unforeseen plumbing problem within the practice. As failsafe systems go, the Aspi-Jet is an excellent reserve player!

Cattani compressor units

Compressed air systems come in a multitude of forms. From rotary screw to oil-free, as well as fixed or variable-speed, there is a large selection of compressors on the market. There are a few key considerations unique to the dental profession which need to be highlighted first, however.

Many air compressors use oil as a lubricant for operation. This delivers many benefits, as this article explains, but in the medical profession the risk of oil contamination in air lines poses a significant risk to the health of the patient. Therefore any compressor system used in a medical application needs to be oil-free. Luckily, the entire range of Cattani's compressors fit the bill nicely, plus they all come with a 7-year warranty!

	Cattani AC100 Pure, oil-free, hygienic air is what you can expect from the AC100 and every tank has a food-grade resin inside coating, which not only helps protect the patient but also the work you are doing for them, as well as the equipment itself. The patented, low-friction components also reduce the need for maintenance and prolong the lifespan of the unit. Suitable for 1 chair this is an ideal solution for a small practice or an individual treatment room. And while the AC100 only produces 70 dB(A) there's an optional sound-reducing acoustic hood for further patient comfort.
	Cattani AC200 Able to support 2-3 chairs with ease the AC200 provides the same high-grade, clean air expected from the Cattani dental compressor range and enhances peace of mind with their 7-year warranty on parts and labour. At only 1 dB(A) louder than the AC100 it's hard to believe the AC200 produces 160 nl/min at 5 bar versus the AC100's 67.5 nl/min.
	Cattani Blok-Jet Silent 2 At the top-end of the scale lies the Blok-Jet Silent 2, which is able to support up to 4 chairs. This innovative system integrates the suction and compressor units inside one cabinet for a self-contained plant room equipment solution. It is ultra-quiet, so is an excellent option where mitigating noise is a priority. It also incorporates inverter control for SMART operation. At 54 dB(A) it's the quietest of the compressors showcased here. With lockable cabinet doors and external display panel, it's a practical solution for larger practices looking for integrated solutions.

Servicing and maintenance of Cattani suction and compressor units

Once you've made a significant investment in industry-leading technology it's important you service and maintain it annually to ensure it's efficient and effective operation. Compressor leaks can cost your practice hundreds of dollars a year in wasted power, while a festering mechanical issue could result in cancelled appointments and bad patient experiences.

Avoiding these issues is easy and Dentec can help with scheduling routine checks and maintenance calls. As a professional in an industry that leads preventative care, we don't need to explain to you the value in regular check-ups before things get too bad! Your machinery could benefit from exactly the same approach.