May. 12, 2025
For some dental-device users, an ultrasonic cleaner may be more of a necessity than a nice-to-have. “Elderly people, or much younger patients, or patients that maybe don’t have as much manual dexterity—for them, I would advocate more for an ultrasonic machine,” Jahangiri says.
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Wirecutter supervising editor Jon Chase, for example, purchased a Zima pod for his 13-year-old daughter after she switched from braces to a retainer and, based on the retainer’s odor, realized that it wasn’t getting clean enough.
“It needed a lot more cleaning than expected, especially as she wears it 15 hours a day,” Jon says. “She was using a toothbrush [and] found it hard to get in the nooks and crannies.”
Another factor to consider is the material of your dental device. Those made from softer or more porous materials can be a little more difficult to clean thoroughly via manual methods, and a toothbrush’s bristles may cause abrasions, Jahangiri explained.
“Devices made from harder materials are generally easier to clean. For softer guards, or guards with some soft parts, I would be more in favor of using an ultrasonic machine [since] manual cleaning can damage the soft areas,” Jahangiri says.
After starting her own course of treatment with aligner trays, Kennedy says that she is now more inclined to recommend ultrasonic cleaners. “I do try to find solutions and create systems that will work for each individual patient,” she notes, “but an ultrasonic device has been incredibly helpful for keeping my aligners really clean and fresh.”
If sticking to a daily oral-hygiene routine is difficult for you, using an ultrasonic cleaner that operates on, say, a three-minute timer could help form good habit-building. While your dental device is being cleaned, you could simultaneously carry out the two minutes of toothbrushing recommended by the American Dental Association, following that with a minute of flossing.
If you do opt for an ultrasonic cleaner, both Jahangiri and Kennedy say that adding a cleaning tablet to the machine’s water basin is a good idea.
Although there hasn’t been much research on the benefits of using a cleaning tablet with an ultrasonic machine, one study indicated that combining the mechanical action of bubbles with a tablet’s chemical cleaners can deliver a more thorough clean than other methods.
Check with your dentist first, though. “There are some newer retainer or guard materials that have strict guidelines and cannot be used with any of the tablets,” Jahangiri says.
Pieces manufactured through CAD/CAM (computer-aided design or computer-aided manufacturing), for example, rely on ceramics or composites that should not be exposed to a cleaning tablet’s chemicals.
If you want to add a cleaning tablet to your routine, feel free to use the cheapest ones you find at the drugstore, and don’t feel like you have to use them every day. “The machine will still work quite well with water, because it will still lift stuff up off the surface with vibrations,” Jahangiri says. “But tablets have a little bit of a whitening and antibacterial effect, and they’re good to add for optimal cleaning.”
If you don’t want to use a tablet, Kennedy suggests an alternative. “You could put a drop of dish soap in [the machine’s basin], and that will also help break up any debris, as well as being a cost-saving measure,” she recommends. (Use unscented dish soap and rinse your device thoroughly after cleaning it so it doesn’t taste like soap.)
Still, don’t expect miracles from your machine. For example, it may not reverse or remove the yellowing or cloudiness that some dental devices acquire over time, which can occur for several different reasons.
Many pieces of mouth gear are made of acrylic, and “acrylic is a material that can yellow over time due to oxidation,” Kennedy says, especially if you leave your device out on a counter during the day, exposed to sunlight. Microscopic bubbles won’t fix that.
Jahangiri adds that sometimes a dental device will turn cloudy “due to some of the chemicals in a cleaning tablet,” which ultrasonic waves also can’t reverse.
You should likewise bring your oral apparatus to your dental or orthodontic appointments, whether or not you choose to use an ultrasonic cleaner at home. If your dental device is yellowing, a professional “can often determine whether it’s due to plaque or bacteria buildup, or if it’s just a sign that the material is aging over time,” Jahangiri says.
They can also administer a professional cleaning, which they usually perform with a more powerful ultrasonic machine or more potent chemicals.
One more thing: Kennedy says it’s fine to buy one of these machines that’s marketed to clean dental devices and also use it to clean your jewelry or glasses, so long as you first confirm that those accessories are safe to be submerged in water. And, of course, after you take out your rings or specs, clean the machine thoroughly before you use it on your retainer.
This article was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Katie Okamoto.
An ultrasonic cleaner is a sophisticated tool for cleaning a variety of objects, particularly those with hard-to-reach areas or complex components that manual cleaning methods struggle with. Ultrasonic cleaning technology has become essential in sectors like electronics, healthcare, jewellery, aerospace, dental and automotive, offering an ultrasonic cleaning bath that meticulously cleans every nook and cranny.
Professionals in manufacturing, technical services, and engineering can reap significant advantages from an ultrasonic cleaner. This technology not only extends the life and performance of components but also promotes consistent operation by leveraging powerful ultrasonic cleaning capabilities to minimise downtime.
Continue exploring to understand the factors contributing to the efficiency and popularity of ultrasonic cleaner technology in a multitude of fields.
The secret behind the effectiveness of an ultrasonic cleaner is cavitation. This phenomenon involves the generation of sound waves through mechanical vibrations in a liquid, leading to the formation and implosion of microscopic bubbles. The implosions which occur within ultrasonic baths bombard the items being cleaned, stripping away grime and debris efficiently without the need for abrasive chemicals.
Items should be arranged in a basket, tray, or glass beaker before immersion in the chosen cleaning fluid to maximise the performance of an ultrasonic bath. The cavitation effect ensures a thorough and even cleanse across the ultrasonic cleaning bath, accessing even the smallest crevices and tight spaces that alternative cleaning methods may overlook. Depending on the application, the cleaning fluid may be water-based, which supports environmental sustainability or solvent-based for a more potent clean.
An ultrasonic cleaner consists of three parts:
At its core, the generator serves as the heartbeat of an ultrasonic cleaner, transforming AC power from a standard wall outlet into an electrical frequency that activates the transducer, thus driving the ultrasonic cleaning process.
The transducer stands as the pivotal element that produces ultrasonic vibrations within an ultrasonic cleaner, operating at frequencies above the level of human hearing. In regions like Europe and Asia, the majority of ultrasonic cleaners incorporate piezoelectric crystals that convert electrical impulses into ultrasonic energy. These crystals respond to electrical currents and change in size and shape, resulting in consistent linear vibrations. Modern ultrasonic cleaning systems favour ceramic transducers over their metallic counterparts for a more delicate yet efficacious cleaning touch, strategically installed beneath the tank to propagate vibrations.
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Within the ultrasonic cleaning bath, the component, cleaning solution, and the specifically designed basket, tray, or glass jar for submerging the item coexist. Tanks for ultrasonic cleaner baths come in various sizes to hold different volumes of solvent. Distrelec’s own brand, RND, offers a selection that includes a variety of ultrasonic bath sizes, each engineered to meet diverse requirements. These digital ultrasonic cleaners are not only equipped with a basket but also boast advanced temperature control and timer functions for precise cleaning cycles.
RND’s digital ultrasonic cleaner models are engineered to offer an automated and uniform cleaning experience, featuring high-end specifications for unparalleled performance. The ultrasonic cleaner series from RND enhances usability with three distinct power modes and essential features, such as fluid temperature regulation and cleaning cycle timers, demonstrating the sophistication of RND’s digital ultrasonic cleaners.
All of RND’s digital ultrasonic cleaners have three cleaning modes to help achieve the best performance for the task: degas, delicate and full. Each mode is meticulously designed to boost the efficiency of the ultrasonic cleaner, ensuring superior cleaning outcomes.
Activating a degas cycle is a crucial step before submerging objects into the ultrasonic cleaner’s basin. This procedure ejects gases from the cleaning fluid, enhancing the liquid’s surface tension and promoting a more comprehensive and efficient cleaning process.
For fragile items, the delicate mode on the ultrasonic cleaner reduces the power output by half, safeguarding sensitive materials. Employing this mode in conjunction with a tailored ultrasonic cleaning solution can achieve the best results for delicate components.
When dealing with heavily soiled objects, the full power mode of the ultrasonic cleaner is the go-to option. Leveraging the device’s peak power along with precise temperature control and an appropriate cleaning solution ensures a strong and all-encompassing clean.
For lightly soiled items, employing the ultrasonic cleaner with warm water at 40°C is recommended. Commence with the degas mode, then determine the cleaning time based on the item—generally, a span of 2-10 minutes is sufficient for an exhaustive clean, though some objects might need an additional cycle to fully remove all impurities.
Ultrasonic cleaners that feature extended cycle times present a practical solution for those in search of a device that delivers effective performance with little supervision, guaranteeing a steady degree of ultrasonic cleaning without the need for constant attention.
In scenarios where parts require deeper cleaning, incorporating an ultrasonic solution into the water of your ultrasonic cleaner is advisable. It’s beneficial to adjust the cleaner’s temperature to a warmer range to clean more efficiently, ideally between 40°C and 60°C, which can significantly boost the ultrasonic cleaning process.
When faced with tenacious dirt, such as heavy carbon deposits or rust on bare metal surfaces, employing an ultrasonic cleaner becomes crucial for a comprehensive cleaning experience. Begin by soaking the items in a strong ultrasonic solution, followed by engaging the full ultrasonic cleaning mode at an elevated temperature to achieve the best results.
Considering that ultrasonic cleaners represent a considerable investment, ensuring you select the best ultrasonic cleaner tailored to your needs is vital. Reflect on these factors carefully before finalising your purchase to make a well-informed decision.
Industrial ultrasonic cleaners come in various sizes to suit different cleaning tasks or parts. Prior to purchasing, evaluate the size and volume of the components you plan to clean. If you anticipate cleaning numerous small parts, a larger model of an industrial ultrasonic cleaner might be the most efficient choice.
The dimensions of the baskets within an ultrasonic cleaner are critical, as they hold the items in place during the cleaning cycle. For an all-encompassing clean, parts should typically be submerged entirely. Hence, knowing the working depth of the cleaner’s fluid is essential for the ultrasonic cleaner to perform effectively.
For tasks that involve cleaning elongated objects, the 10 litre ultrasonic cleaner from RND is designed to cater to longer items, guaranteeing a snug fit and exceptional cleaning performance.
Most ultrasonic cleaners operate within the optimal frequency range of 35kHz to 45kHz, which is appropriate for diverse cleaning applications. However, for more demanding cleaning tasks, such as eliminating polishing pastes or lapping abrasives, utilising an ultrasonic cleaner at a lower frequency, like 25 kHz, can be notably more effective.
The fundamental concept is straightforward: the lower the frequency of the ultrasonic cleaner, the bigger the cavitation bubbles generated. These more significant cavitation bubbles lead to powerful implosions, making them highly effective at removing stubborn contaminants. On the flip side, higher frequencies, typically between 80 to 130 kHz, are better suited for the delicate cleaning of soft metals and intricate electronics, providing a gentle yet thorough cleaning experience.
25kHz – When set to its most vigorous setting, the ultrasonic cleaner excels at removing strong pollution, representing the pinnacle of its cleaning capabilities. However, it’s imperative to steer clear of this setting for fragile materials like glass to avert any potential harm.
40kHz – Functioning at its standard frequency power, the ultrasonic cleaner demonstrates proficiency in purging a wide spectrum of materials from impurities, underscoring its adaptability and cleaning prowess.
80kHz – Optimised for items with elaborate designs and hard-to-reach areas, the ultrasonic cleaner at this particular frequency ensures deep penetration of cavitation bubbles into tiny spaces, achieving thorough decontamination.
120 kHz and megasonic – For components requiring meticulous care, such as precision optics and highly sensitive parts, this frequency setting of the ultrasonic cleaner is the go-to option. It’s also the ideal choice for the final cleaning phase, ensuring the removal of any residual dust from already clean components.
Incorporating a heated solution can significantly boost the speed and effectiveness of the cleaning process. Certain ultrasonic cleaners are outfitted with thermostat-controlled heaters, which permit precise temperature modifications to further enhance the cleaning results.
On the Distrelec webshop, you can find a range of ultrasonic cleaning accessories from RND. Some of the main ones include baskets and beakers.
Baskets
Each RND Ultrasonic Cleaner comes complete with a perfectly sized wire mesh basket, enhancing the device’s functionality. Customers have the option to purchase additional baskets, too. Baskets are recommended to evenly distribute ultrasonic waves and prevent hot spots during the cleaning cycle. All baskets are thoughtfully designed with handles that conveniently extend over the bath lip for secure and effortless handling.
Beakers are the perfect container for small parts like electronic components and jewellery. Beakers are suspended in the tank with the appropriate basket, and the solution is only required in the beaker. Separating parts to individual beakers enables the user to group components together and use two different solutions at the same time whilst lowering the amount of solution needed. The beakers are made from borosilicate glass, which is a type of glass that is more resistant to rapid temperature changes. Using the jar means that items don’t get lost, and cleaning is faster.
The Distrelec webshop extends its range of ultrasonic accessories to include baskets for glass beakers, which are meticulously designed to securely hold the glass beakers within the ultrasonic cleaner’s tank. These baskets for glass beakers prevent spillage and guarantee safe handling, with a variety of sizes available to fit different beaker dimensions, ensuring a snug and secure fit for optimal cleaning. They are also available in bundles with the glass jars.
Here are some maintenance tips that will keep your ultrasonic cleaner in fantastic condition:
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