Eco-Friendly Dental Materials: Focus on Suction Systems

Every day in my practice, after seeing patient after patient, I noticed how much plastic waste piles up. Every appointment meant using two types of suction: the high-volume evacuator (HVE) and the saliva ejector. They keep everything clean and running smoothly, but they also create a lot of plastic waste. The more I noticed it, the more it stuck with me. A typical saliva ejector, for example, is made of PVC. This plastic is very common in dentistry but comes with a heavy environmental cost. And then there’s the HVE, typically made from polypropylene, another plastic that just adds to the waste problem. After every treatment, these tools go straight into the trash, where they’ll sit in landfills for centuries before breaking down. And that’s the problem—we’re using them for minutes, but they stick around for generations.
At some point, I had to ask myself: how much plastic am I throwing away? So, I sat down and did the math. And honestly? The numbers shocked me. That’s when I knew I had to start looking for better, eco-friendly dental suction.

I’ve already written a post about plastics in dentistry and how they show up in our tools. If you’re curious about which plastics we use daily and their impact on the environment, check it out! Knowing our materials helps us make better choices.

A Closer Look at Plastic Waste in Dentistry

Think about this: If you see 10 patients daily and use two suction tips per visit—one HVE and one saliva ejector—that’s 20 plastic tips daily. If your dental hygienist also sees 10 patients, that number jumps to 40. In a week, that’s 200. In a month, about 800. Over a year? A staggering 9,600 plastic suction tips

That much waste could fill a small room—or half the space of a compact car. And that’s just one small dental practice! Now, imagine the total from every clinic in your city, or even your country. The environmental impact is massive.

Seeing these numbers made me rethink daily dental waste. I started looking for better options. Switching to eco-friendly materials isn’t just a good idea, it’s something we need to do.

Eco-Friendly Dental Suction

I began exploring eco-friendly options like the Hygovac Bio. Made from renewable sugarcane, this suction system is fully recyclable and works just as well as traditional options. The Hygovac Bio cuts down on waste without compromising performance. Even though it’s made from bio-based materials, I found it as reliable as conventional suction tips. It maintained its durability throughout long treatments, and its performance in terms of suction power was comparable to its plastic counterparts.

I also tried the ECOtip™ Earth Friendly High Volume Evacuator Tip. Made from biodegradable materials, it breaks down faster than regular plastics. Using these eco-friendly tips gave me peace of mind, knowing I was reducing my contribution to plastic waste. The ECOtip™ was also surprisingly efficient. Despite being made from biodegradable materials, it held up well during long procedures, and I didn’t notice any drop in performance.

Testing Eco-Friendly Dental Suction in My Practice

After trying the Hygovac Bio and ECOtip™, I was really impressed with their performance. I expected eco-friendly products to be less effective, but that wasn’t the case. The suction was strong, and both products lasted through long treatments without losing power or breaking. The best part was knowing I was reducing plastic waste.

So, how do these eco-friendly disposables compare with traditional autoclavable systems? They are reusable, made of durable plastic, and can be sterilized after each use. While autoclavable tips have been around for years, they help reduce waste by being reused instead of constantly replaced.

Disposable vs. Autoclavable

Eco-Friendly Disposable Suctions:

Pros:

1. Energy and Water Savings: One of the main benefits of using eco-friendly disposables is that they don’t require sterilization. Autoclaving requires a lot of energy and water, which can take a toll on the environment. By skipping this step, you can reduce your practice’s environmental impact.
2. Recyclable or Biodegradable Materials: These eco-friendly dental suctions are made from materials that break down faster than regular plastics. Whether through recycling or natural decomposition, they won’t sit in landfills for centuries like traditional plastics.
3. Convenience: Plus, they save time. No need for the back-and-forth of cleaning and sterilizing, which can save valuable time for you and your team.

Cons:

1. Waste Generation: While eco-friendly disposables are an improvement, they still generate waste. Even recyclable materials can end up in landfills if not properly processed.
2. Higher Ongoing Costs: Since disposables are used once and replaced, the costs can add up over time. Even though they’re made from sustainable materials, you’ll still need to regularly purchase them, which can become expensive.

Autoclavable Suctions:

Pros:

1. Reduced Waste: Autoclavable suctions are designed to be reused, which means you’re not adding to the plastic waste after every patient. This is a significant benefit for practices looking to minimize their contribution to landfill waste.
2. Cost-Effective in the Long Run: Although there’s an initial investment in purchasing autoclavable tips, they can be reused many times, reducing the need for constant repurchasing. Over time, this can be more cost-effective compared to disposables.
3. Durability: These tips are tough enough to handle repeated sterilization and use, making them a reliable, long-term option for your practice.

Cons:

1. Energy and Water Use: The biggest drawback of autoclavable systems is the energy and water needed for sterilization. Autoclaves use significant resources to reach high temperatures and effectively sterilize equipment.
2. Maintenance: Autoclavable tips require regular care to stay in good condition. Over time, repeated sterilization can cause wear and tear, and they’ll eventually need replacement. Manufacturers typically recommend replacing HVE tips every 1 to 2 years, depending on usage and sterilization frequency.
3. Time-Consuming: Cleaning and sterilizing equipment takes time. This process adds to the time spent on other sterilization tasks, which could otherwise be used for other important duties in your practice.

Choosing the Best Eco-Friendly Dental Materials for Your Practice

Building eco-friendly dental materials into your practice can make a big difference in reducing your environmental impact. Choosing between eco-friendly disposables and autoclavable systems depends on your practice’s priorities. If reducing waste is a top priority, autoclavable systems are a solid choice. They cut down on waste, and the long-term savings are a nice bonus. But if you’re more focused on saving energy and water, eco-friendly disposables could be the way to go.

In my practice, I’ve figured out a mix of both that works best for us. For those long procedures (and I mean the really long ones!), I prefer using the autoclavable HVE tips. But when things get messy and we need to clean up quickly, I go for the eco-friendly disposables. They’re super convenient and save time, especially when we’re already busy sterilizing other equipment. For the regular saliva ejectors, I always go with eco-friendly options.