A Duo of Water Treatments That Say “No” to Bacteria

A Duo of Water Treatments That Say “No” to Bacteria

A-dec’s ICX Waterline Treatment Tablets and ICX Renew Dental Unit Waterline Shock Treatment work together to eliminate bacteria and ensure hygienic dental unit waterlines

In every industry there are people, machines, and materials that operate largely out of sight, but their presence is critical every day. The dental industry is no exception, and products such as dental unit waterline maintenance tablets and shock treatment are two consequential but largely unnoticed components of day-to-day practice operations—and it all starts with water.

Each day, as patients settle in to their dental chairs, the condition of the practice’s water is likely not the first thing on their minds, but it nonetheless plays a critical role in successful treatment outcomes. It’s a given that a practice’s water supply must be hygienic, and with the small diameter and low flow rates of dental unit waterlines, there’s a high probability of bacterial growth and a water output that can become densely populated by microorganisms. That’s where the ICX Waterline Treatment Tablets and ICX Renew Dental Unit Waterline Shock Treatment come into play.

Two Products, One Goal

A-dec’s ICX Waterline Treatment Tablets and ICX Renew Dental Unit Waterline Shock Treatment are 2 products that work together to ensure waterlines and water quality are consistently maintained. The process starts with ICX Waterline Treatment Tablets, an effervescing formula that reduces the buildup of odor and foul-tasting bacteria and eliminates the need to purge waterlines at night, a significant time-saver in today’s busy workflows. “Daily water quality is essential for those of us who work in the oral cavity, and it’s critical that we know there’s no bacteria living in our water lines,” said Cathy Hendrickson, RDH, in Greeley, CO. “We have been using these tablets for about a year in our practice and they are definitely easy to use and a time-saver.”

The process is simple and quick, with 1 tablet added to an empty self-contained water bottle before each filling. There is no need for distilled water, which is often a requirement with similar water treatment products. Active in water for up to 2 weeks during times when equipment is not being used, the tablets maintain a dental unit waterline effluent of less than or equal to 10 CFU/mL and are continuously present in the water as a preventive, proactive solution. While ICX Waterline Treatment Tablets protect practice waterlines from contamination and lessen the frequency of shock treatments, water treated with these tablets is gentle on dental equipment and compatible with restorative bonding materials.

“I like the fact that the tablets are individually wrapped and that the shock comes in pre-measured bottles.”

- Cathy Hendrickson, RDH

Worry-Free Application

“We don’t have to worry about running out of distilled water because we don’t need that for these tablets, and I have had no patient complaints about the taste of the water or the water quality,” she shared.

A Simple-to-Use Shock Treatment

In addition to routine monitoring of water quality, waterlines require periodic shock treatment as well, and the ICX Renew Dental Unit Waterline Shock Treatment is a quick, simple method to ensure proper water quality. The fast-acting treatment removes odor and foul-tasting bacteria in the waterlines and is also non-corrosive and gentle on dental equipment. An odorless formula, ICX Renew Dental Unit Waterline Shock Treatment displays a blue color as a signal that the product is active, and works quickly overnight. Waterlines should be flushed with water the following morning before regular activity is resumed.

“I found ICX Renew Dental Unit Waterline Shock Treatment to be easy to use, and there was no odor or residual taste after being applied, which is a big winner for me,” said Hendrickson. “In fact, even among patients who normally are quite sensitive to tastes, I have not received any negative comments about the water. Plus, I like the fact that the blue color tells me that it’s going through the lines and allows me to see when it is completely purged,” she continued.

Users are advised to remove air/water syringe tips, handpieces, detachable motors and couplers, and ultrasonic instruments from their tubing.

An Easy, Effective Team

“I find that the tablets and the shock, since they’re made by the same company, are designed to work together and really complement each other,” Hendrickson added. “I like the fact that the tablets are individually wrapped and that the shock comes in pre-measured bottles. It makes it very cost efficient and very easy to use!”

To learn more about the A-dec products that can simplify your waterline cleaning routine, go to www.a-dec.com