Suction channels

Suction Tubes for Dental Practices

Suction cannulas are connected to the suction system during dental procedures and collect spray water, saliva, and drilling debris from the oral cavity. This keeps the treatment area clearly visible, and the assistant can also use the cannula to hold the patient’s tongue or cheek out of the way. Within the dental supplies category, they are among the items needed for nearly every procedure performed at the dental chair.

Our product range includes reusable dental suction cannulas from AMPri’s MED-COMFORT series, available in both adult and pediatric versions. Both are supplied in bags of 10 pieces in assorted colors.

Features and Benefits of Suction Cannulas

The suction cannulas offered are designed as reusable products. They are reprocessed after treatment and then reused, rather than being discarded after a single use.

According to the manufacturer, typical features of the suction cannulas in this product line include:

• Material: polypropylene
• Diameter: 16 mm
• Connection cone per DIN 13938
• Autoclavable up to 134 °C
• Class IIa medical device with CE marking (CE 0044, Directive 93/42/EEC)
• Multiple colors per bag, including blue, green, yellow, orange, and white

This makes the cannulas suitable for medical practices that rely on reusable instruments and sterilize their suction cannulas in an autoclave along with other medical devices.

Which suction cannulas are suitable for which applications?

The AMPri MED-COMFORT Dental suction cannulas for adults, available in various colors, are suitable for treating adult patients. They are made of polypropylene, have a diameter of 16 mm, and, according to the manufacturer, are available in ten colors, including burgundy.

In pediatric dentistry or in practices with many young patients, the AMPri MED-COMFORT Dental suction cannulas for children, available in various colors, are a suitable option. According to the manufacturer, they are specifically designed for use with children, measure 108 x 16 mm, and are offered in nine colors.

What should you look for when purchasing suction cannulas?

First, check the connection. AMPri cannulas feature a cone connection compliant with DIN 13938. Before ordering, verify that this fits the suction tubing or cannula holder of your treatment unit by consulting the device documentation.

Equally important is the reprocessing method. Reusable cannulas must be cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized after each treatment. The manufacturer’s specification regarding autoclavability up to 134 °C should match the program of your own sterilizer to ensure the cannulas are not damaged by excessively high temperatures.

The patient group also plays a role. There is a separate design for children, tailored to smaller mouths. Practices with a mixed patient population often keep both variants in stock.

Finally, it’s worth considering the quantity. Since reusable cannulas are not available during reprocessing, inventory should be sufficient to ensure that enough sterilized cannulas are on hand for each treatment room. Additional items for treatment and practice equipment can be found in the Dental Supplies category.

Suction cannulas or saliva ejectors—what’s the difference?

Suction cannulas with a 16 mm diameter are designed for high-volume suction, such as that required during water-cooled preparations, professional teeth cleaning, or surgical procedures. They are typically guided by the assistant and positioned precisely within the working area. At the same time, they serve to keep the cheek and tongue away from the treatment area.

Saliva ejectors, on the other hand, are significantly thinner and designed to remove small amounts of saliva from the floor of the mouth over an extended period. They are often hung in place and run continuously during treatment without needing to be held constantly. In many dental practices, both systems are used in parallel.

Another difference concerns disposable and reusable products. The suction cannulas in the product line are designed as reusable items and are reprocessed, whereas many saliva ejectors are offered as single-use items. Which solution makes sense in everyday practice depends on the hygiene protocol and the available reprocessing capabilities.

Usage and Instructions for Suction Cannulas

Before use, the sterilized cannula is attached to the cannula holder on the suction tube and checked to ensure a secure fit. During treatment, the opening should be positioned so that it does not remain in constant contact with the mucous membrane, as this could cause it to be suctioned in.

After treatment, the cannula is removed and reprocessed in accordance with the practice’s hygiene plan. The manufacturer’s instructions and the applicable recommendations for the reprocessing of medical devices are decisive in this regard. The different colors can be used, for example, to assign cannulas to individual treatment rooms.

Cannulas should be inspected for cracks, deformations, or rough edges before each reuse. Damaged cannulas must be discarded, even if they still fit the holder. Additional basic equipment for treatment can be found in the broader category of dental supplies.

Complementary accessories for suction cannulas

• Saliva ejectors
• Mouth rinse cups
• Dental cotton rolls
• Patient napkins
• Crepe pads

Saliva ejectors and dental cotton rolls help keep the treatment area dry; mouthwash cups and patient napkins are standard equipment at the dental chair; and crepe pads provide a clean surface for placing instruments.