Instrument sterilization is not a corner any dental practice can afford to cut, and this collection is built around the equipment that keeps a sterilization protocol running day after day. MediDepot's Dental Sterilization & Infection Control collection focuses on autoclaves and microsterilizers from two manufacturers: Flight Dental Systems, with Class B and Class S steam autoclaves ranging from a compact 8 liter chamber to a large 45 liter unit, and Benchmark Scientific, with rapid glass bead microsterilizers for small-instrument turnaround. Every unit here carries B2B pricing, straightforward for a single-chair office or a multi-location group practice outfitting sterilization stations consistently.
Who Is This Collection For?
This is a focused, purpose-built collection for the people directly responsible for instrument reprocessing and infection control in a dental setting.
- General dentistry practices that need a dependable daily-use autoclave
- Oral surgery centers processing higher instrument volume and needing larger chamber capacity
- Periodontal and endodontic practices needing fast turnaround on small hand instruments between patients
- Dental service organizations standardizing sterilization equipment across several locations
- Infection control coordinators and sterilization technicians responsible for cycle documentation
- Dental schools and training clinics running multiple instrument sets through sterilization daily
- Practice managers evaluating a replacement autoclave against a fixed equipment budget
Because this collection is smaller and more specialized than the broader dental equipment lineup, it suits buyers who already know they need an autoclave or microsterilizer and want to compare chamber size, cycle type, and features side by side.
Product Types and Brands in This Collection
Two brands make up this collection, each serving a distinct role in a sterilization workflow.
Flight Dental Systems supplies the full autoclave lineup, part of its Clave series. The Clave B is a 23 liter Class B vacuum autoclave with an automatic cycle and built-in printer, suited to practices that sterilize wrapped, unwrapped, and hollow instruments. The Class S side covers a range of chamber sizes for non-vacuum, automatic sterilization: the Clave8+ at 8 liters, the Clave16+ at 16 liters, the Clave23+ at 23 liters, and the Clave45+ at 45 liters, the largest unit here. Several Class S models include a built-in compressor, and select units add a printer.
Benchmark Scientific covers microsterilization with two models: the Micro Bead Research Sterilizer, which uses heated glass beads for rapid sterilization of small instruments, and the BactiZapper Tilt MicroSterilizer, which adds an adjustable tilt angle. Both suit fast, chairside turnaround rather than full-load sterilization.
Filtering by product type surfaces Class B autoclaves, Class S autoclaves, steam autoclaves, micro bead sterilizers, and microsterilizers, mapping directly to the two brands above.
Product Comparison Table
| Model | Type | Capacity | Printer | Compressor | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Clave B (A9003-23B) | Class B, vacuum | 23L | Yes | No | $5,705.70 |
| Flight Clave8+ (A9006-8+) | Class S, non-vacuum | 8L | Yes | Yes | $2,519.40 |
| Flight Clave16+ (A9004-16+) | Class S, non-vacuum | 16L | No | Yes | $3,693.30 |
| Flight Clave23+ (A9005-23+) | Class S, non-vacuum | 23L | No | Yes | $4,477.20 |
| Flight Clave45+ (A9007-45+) | Class S, non-vacuum | 45L | Yes | Yes | $10,825.10 |
| Benchmark Micro Bead Sterilizer | Glass bead microsterilizer | Small instruments | No | No | $636.18 |
| Benchmark BactiZapper Tilt | Glass bead microsterilizer, tilt | Small instruments | No | No | $426.04 |
Selected Product Comparison
| Product | Best For | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Clave8+ (8L, Class S) | Single-operatory practices with moderate daily volume | Compact chamber with a built-in printer and compressor at the lowest entry price in the Clave S lineup |
| Flight Clave45+ (45L, Class S) | High-volume oral surgery centers and multi-chair practices | The largest chamber in the collection, with a built-in printer and compressor for high-throughput sterilization |
| Flight Clave B (23L, Class B) | Practices sterilizing wrapped, hollow, or porous loads | The only Class B vacuum autoclave in the collection, suited to the widest range of load types |
| Benchmark BactiZapper Tilt | Chairside turnaround between patients | The lowest price point in the collection, with an adjustable tilt angle for small-instrument control |
How to Choose the Right Product
Choosing between the autoclaves and microsterilizers here depends mainly on daily case volume, instrument type, and documentation needs.
- Match chamber size to daily volume. A single-operatory practice may find an 8 liter or 16 liter Class S unit, like the Clave8+ or Clave16+, sufficient, while a busier center may need the 23 liter or 45 liter capacity of the Clave23+ or Clave45+.
- Consider whether Class B is required. If the practice regularly sterilizes wrapped, hollow, or porous loads, the Clave B's vacuum cycle covers that range, whereas Class S units suit solid, unwrapped loads.
- Decide if built-in documentation matters. Units with a built-in printer, including the Clave B and select Clave S models, generate a physical cycle record on the spot.
- Add a microsterilizer for chairside speed. A Benchmark Scientific glass bead sterilizer or BactiZapper Tilt model handles quick turnaround on burs and small instruments without tying up the main sterilizer.
- Factor in whether a compressor is built in. Several Class S units include one, simplifying installation.
Technical Information, Safety, and Compliance
Sterilization equipment sits at the center of a dental practice's infection control program, and the equipment here should be operated and maintained with that responsibility in mind.
- Class B and Class S designations reflect the cycle and load type each autoclave is built to process; Class B uses a vacuum cycle suited to wrapped and hollow instruments, while Class S uses a non-vacuum cycle suited to the load types specified by the manufacturer.
- Automatic cycles across the Clave series run consistent sterilization parameters each time, reducing variability between loads.
- Built-in printers on select Clave models produce a physical record of each cycle for sterilization monitoring.
- Benchmark Scientific microsterilizers suit rapid processing of small instruments and should complement, not substitute for, full autoclave sterilization of critical instruments.
- Regular maintenance, including chamber cleaning and scheduled servicing, keeps autoclaves performing consistently and should be part of standard operating procedures.
- Practices should continue their own biological and chemical indicator testing schedule, in line with CDC and OSHA guidance for dental settings.
Related Product Groups
Many practices shopping this collection also look at dental operatory equipment when outfitting a new treatment room, since chair packages, delivery units, and handpieces often get purchased alongside a new sterilization setup. Handpieces and dental instruments are a natural pairing too, given that everything processed through these autoclaves and microsterilizers returns to the operatory for the next patient.
Smart Solutions for Equipment Purchasing
A sterilizer is a long-term investment in daily workflow, and a few habits help practices get the most value from this purchase.
- Size for growth, not just today's volume. Adding chairs or hours often means a slightly larger chamber, such as moving from a Clave16+ to a Clave23+, avoids a premature second purchase.
- Weigh upfront savings against features. Units currently offered below list price can make a larger chamber or printer-equipped model more attainable within budget.
- Plan for maintenance costs. Autoclaves require periodic servicing and consumables, so factor this into total cost of ownership, not just purchase price.
- Standardize where it makes sense. Practices with multiple operatories or locations often standardize on one autoclave line, like the Flight Dental Systems Clave series, to simplify training and documentation.
- Ask about financing before committing to a larger unit like the Clave45+, since spreading a capital purchase over time can suit growing practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Flight Dental Systems Clave B and Clave S autoclaves?
The Clave B is a 23 liter Class B vacuum autoclave suited to wrapped and hollow instruments, while the Clave S line (8, 16, 23, and 45 liter sizes) uses a non-vacuum, automatic cycle suited to specific, typically solid and unwrapped loads.
Which autoclave size suits a single-operatory practice?
Smaller sizes, such as the 8 liter Clave8+ or 16 liter Clave16+, generally match moderate daily volume, while larger practices may prefer the 23 liter or 45 liter models.
Do any of these autoclaves include a built-in printer for cycle documentation?
Yes, the Clave B and select Clave S models include a built-in printer that generates a physical record of each cycle.
What is a microsterilizer used for, and is it a substitute for an autoclave?
A microsterilizer, such as the Benchmark Scientific Micro Bead or BactiZapper Tilt model, uses heated glass beads for rapid sterilization of small instruments. It complements, rather than replaces, a full autoclave cycle for critical instruments.
Do these autoclaves include a compressor?
Several Class S models, including the Clave8+, Clave16+, Clave23+, and Clave45+, come with a built-in compressor, simplifying installation.
Is B2B pricing available for practices ordering multiple sterilizers?
Yes, useful for dental service organizations and multi-location practices standardizing sterilization equipment across sites.
Shop Dental Sterilization Equipment with Confidence
Whether you are replacing a single autoclave or setting up sterilization stations for a growing practice, this collection puts the Flight Dental Systems Clave lineup and Benchmark Scientific microsterilizers side by side for easy comparison. Browse the options here, and reach out to the MediDepot team if you would like help matching chamber size and features to your practice's daily sterilization volume.