As a dental professional, maintaining a clean and sterile environment is crucial to the safety of your patients. Sterilizers are the backbone of infection control in your practice, ensuring that every tool is disinfected and ready for use. However, without regular maintenance, even the best sterilizers can break down or fail to perform, leading to costly repairs and compromising patient safety.

In this guide, we’ll share key tips for maintaining your sterilizer, highlight common mistakes to avoid, and link you to detailed instructions for specific brands we offer. Proper maintenance not only extends the life of your equipment but also protects your warranty, preventing costly repairs due to neglect.

 

1. Understanding Your Sterilizer: Know Your Equipment

There are several types of sterilizers used in dental practices, each with its own unique features and maintenance requirements. The most common types include autoclaves (like Midmark and Tuttnauer models), which use steam under pressure, and cassette sterilizers (like Scican Statim), which sterilize smaller loads quickly.

No matter which type you use, following the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines is critical. Every brand has specific needs, and it’s important to know what those are. Later in this post, we’ll link to detailed instructions for the major brands we offer: Enbio S, Midmark M11 & M9, Tuttnauer, W&H Lexa, and Scican Statim.

 

2. General Maintenance Tips (Applicable to Most Units)

While each sterilizer brand may have its own unique instructions, these general tips apply to most units and will help you avoid common problems:

• Daily Chamber Cleaning: After each use, wipe down the chamber to remove debris, mineral buildup, and any residue left from the sterilization process. This prevents corrosion and maintains the longevity of your unit.
• Inspecting and Cleaning Seals: Check the door seals and gaskets for any wear or cracks. Over time, seals can degrade, leading to pressure leaks and sterilization failure. Cleaning seals regularly helps them stay effective.
• Water Quality: Always use distilled or demineralized water in your sterilizer. Tap water contains minerals that can build up inside the machine and damage its internal components over time. This is especially important for brands like Enbio S and Tuttnauer that rely on steam sterilization.
• Filter Cleaning and Replacement: Inspect and clean filters regularly. Clogged or dirty filters can reduce airflow, causing the unit to overheat or work inefficiently. Each brand may have specific recommendations for filter maintenance.
• Regular Spore Testing: Spore testing is critical for ensuring your sterilizer is effectively killing harmful bacteria and spores. Performing these tests regularly (as recommended by your sterilizer’s manufacturer) ensures that your unit is functioning correctly and meeting safety standards.

 

3. Weekly and Monthly Maintenance Tips

In addition to daily care, your sterilizer needs deeper maintenance on a weekly or monthly basis to ensure it continues running efficiently:

• Biological Indicators: Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association recommend (and most state dental boards require) that dental offices verify the proper functioning of the sterilization cycle at least weekly using a biological indicator.
• Cleaning and Checking Filters: Most units, including Midmark M11 & M9, W&H Lexa, and Scican Statim, have filters that need to be checked and cleaned monthly. Follow the specific guidance for your model to avoid buildup and airflow issues.
• Testing Efficiency and Calibration: Periodically check that your sterilizer is reaching the correct temperature and pressure. Calibration is key to ensuring sterilization is effective. Units like Tuttnauer autoclaves have specific settings that should be verified regularly.
• Avoiding Overloading: Overloading any sterilizer can compromise its performance. When instruments are packed too tightly, steam or heat may not reach every surface. Spread items out to ensure proper sterilization, which applies to all units, from the Enbio S to Scican Statim.

 

4. Brand-Specific Maintenance Instructions

While the general tips above will help keep your sterilizer in good working order, each brand has its own specific maintenance requirements. Follow the links below for detailed maintenance instructions for your sterilizer model:

• Enbio S: Click here for Enbio S maintenance guide
• Midmark M11 & M9: Click here for Midmark M11 & M9 maintenance guide
• Tuttnauer: Click here for Tuttnauer maintenance guide
• W&H Lexa: Click here for W&H Lexa maintenance guide
• Scican Statim: Click here for Scican Statim maintenance guide

 

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, improper sterilizer care can lead to costly repairs and void warranties. Avoid these common mistakes to ensure your unit runs efficiently:

• Overloading the Sterilizer: As mentioned, overloading leads to uneven sterilization and can strain your machine. Ensure that instruments are arranged to allow proper air or steam circulation, and never pack the chamber beyond its recommended capacity.
• Skipping Regular Maintenance: Regular cleaning and maintenance are non-negotiable. Neglecting routine tasks like cleaning filters or testing calibration can lead to breakdowns or voided warranties. If issues arise due to lack of maintenance, repairs may not be covered under your warranty.
• Using Improper Cleaning Solutions: Always use cleaning products approved for sterilizers. Using the wrong chemicals can corrode or damage internal components, particularly with autoclaves like Midmark M11 & M9 or Tuttnauer.

 

6. How Regular Maintenance Protects Your Atlas Resell Management Warranty

If you’ve purchased a fully refurbished dental sterilizer from Atlas Resell Management, it’s essential to understand how proper maintenance affects your warranty coverage. Our warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of original retail purchase, but there are specific conditions related to maintenance that you need to follow to keep your warranty intact.

Atlas Resell Management Warranty Requirements

The warranty covers the cost of new or refurbished parts for repairs, and for the first 90 days, we also cover labor costs. After 90 days, labor expenses for any repairs become your responsibility. However, the warranty is subject to several important conditions:

• Approved Repairs Only: We must approve all parts and labor before any repair is made, or the warranty will be void. Unauthorized repairs can invalidate your coverage.
• Regular Maintenance Is Mandatory: To keep the warranty valid, you must perform Manufacturer-recommended preventative maintenance within six months of the original retail purchase. This includes tasks like cleaning, inspection, and part replacements that ensure your sterilizer continues to operate safely and efficiently. 

Maintenance Affects Your Warranty

Failing to conduct regular preventative maintenance as recommended by the Manufacturer can void your warranty. This includes any hardware components that are expected to be regularly maintained. Keep in mind:

• Proof of Maintenance Is Required: When submitting a warranty claim, you’ll need to provide receipts for any maintenance performed, including parts and labor. This documentation is crucial for demonstrating compliance with warranty conditions.
• Accident, Misuse, or Neglect Can Void the Warranty: The warranty doesn’t cover damage due to neglect, improper use, or maintenance not performed as specified. To avoid this, follow the maintenance tips provided earlier in this blog and adhere to any brand-specific care requirements.

Installation by a Dental Technician

For your Atlas Resell Management warranty to remain valid, the sterilizer must be installed by a qualified dental technician before use. This ensures the equipment is set up correctly, reducing the likelihood of operational issues that could void the warranty.

 

7. Conclusion

Maintaining your sterilizer is essential to the longevity of your equipment, patient safety, and compliance with warranties. Following these general and brand-specific maintenance tips will keep your sterilizer running smoothly and efficiently.

Need help with your sterilizer? Contact us for professional servicing and support. To make maintenance easier, download our maintenance checklists for each brand and keep your sterilizer performing at its best.