Cut Sterilization Costs Without Compromising Safety

The Sterilization Choice that Pays Off

Choosing the right sterilizer is a critical step in maintaining compliance and safeguarding patient care. For group dental practices and DSOs, the choice isn’t just about which sterilizer works today—it’s about which one works most effectively across thousands of cycles, with the lowest cost and fewest disruptions.

Making the best selection means looking beyond the brand or price and considering how the sterilization method, maintenance needs and equipment design impact clinical workflow and long-term costs.

Why the Method Matters: Safety, Efficiency + Reliability

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)¹ and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)² both emphasize steam sterilization as the gold standard for dental instrument processing. According to the CDC, critical and heat-stable semi-critical instruments should be sterilized using heat³—and moist heat through steam sterilization is the most dependable method⁴.

Not All Steam Sterilizers Are the Same

Here’s the key: not all steam sterilizers use the same air removal method, and that difference can significantly impact safety and cost. Steam sterilization depends on full steam penetration. If air remains in the chamber, instruments may not be properly sterilized.

The two primary air removal methods in steam sterilization are:

• Gravity displacement, where steam naturally pushes air out, and
• Dynamic air removal, where air is actively forced out before sterilization begins.³

So, which type is best? Dynamic air removal is generally more effective and consistent, offering faster cycle times and fewer sterilization failures due to air entrapment,¹ helping teams stay on schedule and reducing instrument downtime.

The Right Method for High-Volume Practices

Within dynamic air removal, there are two main approaches:

• Pre-vacuum, which uses vacuum pumps and requires daily testing such as the Bowie-Dick test
• Steam-flush pressure-pulse (SFPP), which uses repeated bursts of steam and pressure to remove air without added hardware

Pre-vacuum systems are effective but require more maintenance. If a sterilizer fails its Bowie-Dick test, which checks for air leaks and inadequate air removal, it must not be used until it is inspected and passes retesting.⁴ The results of daily Bowie-Dick tests also need to be included in compliance documentation.

SFPP sterilizers, on the other hand, offer reliable performance with fewer demands—and significantly less maintenance. They’re not affected by air leaks⁴ and do not require the same daily tests or vacuum components⁵ that increase labor, documentation, cost and downtime.

For DSOs and group practices, SFPP sterilizers translate into faster turnaround, reduced maintenance, simpler documentation and significant cost savings.

The Real Cost of a Sterilizer

Some sterilizers may appear affordable up front but can cost thousands more to maintain over time. Frequent or complex service needs, consumables and shorter lifespans add up quickly.

That’s why it’s essential to consider lifetime cost—the total cost to own and operate a sterilizer across its expected cycle life.

In a recent head-to-head comparison of dynamic air removal sterilizers, one model clearly delivered the best value: the Midmark M11^® Steam Sterilizer.

Sterilizer	Total Estimated Cost for 25,000 Cycles
Midmark M11® (SFPP)	~$10,044
Tuttnauer T-Edge® 11 (Prevacuum with upgrade)	~$91,403
W&H Lexa® (SFPP with vacuum-assisted drying)	~$31,391
SciCan StatClave® G4 (Prevacuum)	~$63,725

Source: Compare Sterilizer Lifetime Cost⁶

Tuttnauer and T-Edge are registered trademarks of Tuttnauer U.S.A. Co., Ltd. W&H and Lexa are registered trademarks of W&H Deutschland GmbH. SciCan and StatClave are registered trademarks of SciCan Ltd.

Why the stark difference? The Midmark M11 is designed for durability and simplicity. With a 25,000-cycle lifespan and significantly lower standard maintenance needs, it avoids common cost drivers found in other models—like vacuum systems, air and water filtration systems and high water usage.

Some sterilizers require service by a technician as frequently as every 1,000 cycles.⁶ Others require daily vacuum tests, filter replacements and other consumables that drive up operating costs. Midmark minimizes these needs with a more streamlined, efficient design, requiring no costly vacuum tests, no air or water filtration systems (or their filter replacements), less frequent technician-performed service—recommended only after 25,000 cycles or 10 years—and lower average water consumption per week than other sterilizers.

Designed to Support Your Team

Midmark sterilizers also help simplify daily operation. Built-in maintenance notifications, automated care history and cycle recordkeeping, and onscreen guidance help teammates stay compliant with less training and fewer opportunities for error.

In multi-location organizations, these features help standardize sterilization workflows—improving consistency while reducing service calls and downtime.

The Bottom Line

For group practices looking to improve safety, reduce downtime and cut lifetime costs, choosing the right sterilization method—and the right equipment—makes all the difference.

Dynamic air removal with SFPP delivers the speed, reliability and cost-efficiency busy practices need to stay productive and compliant. And Midmark delivers the sterilizers that help make it possible.

Ready to Save?

To learn more about how Midmark Steam Sterilizers can save you time, money and effort, visit midmark.com/dental or call 1.800.MIDMARK today.

Sources

1. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings—2003. CDC Website
2. ST79: Comprehensive guide to steam sterilization and sterility assurance in health care facilities. AAMI Website
3. Best Practices for Sterilization in Dental Settings. May 15, 2024. CDC Website
4. Steam Sterilization from the Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008). CDC Website
5. Comparison of sterilizer testing and maintenance requirements for dynamic air removal systems (SFPP vs. pre-vacuum), based on published manufacturer specifications, service recommendations, industry best practices and AAMI ST79 guidelines.
6. Compare Sterilizer Lifetime Cost. MKT-00683.

Similar articles:

• How to Choose Dental Equipment That Drives Growth and Reduces Costs
• Inside Life Dental Group’s Rise to a $30 Million Dental Service Leader