Components (What’s in the Box?)

The XerosGuard Starter Pack includes:

• 2x patent pending autoclavable cheek retractors;
• 24x patent pending single use tongue cribs with integrated suction;
• 4x autoclavable Y-adapters for low volume suction; and
• 3x bite blocks (small, medium, large).

Assembling External Member

There are three components to the external cheek retractor.

• A right lip cradle
• A left projection
• Metal arm U-bar connector

The internal tongue crib comes pre-bent to wrap around the patients dentition. Slide the free ends of the right and left suction tube through the channels of the cheek retractor that you have already assembled (see above).

Once the XerosGuard is comfortably placed Connect the right and left lip cradles to the U bar connector via the key interlock that can be engaged in a clock wise or counter clock wise rotation once you have slid the key past the opening on either side of the U bar.

All of the components of the external cheek retractor are made of a high heat resistant material that can be steam autoclaved and reused.

Please dissemble the components prior to washing and sterilizing for optimal infection control

1.Y-Adapter And Poseable Arms

• The internal tongue crib comes pre-bent to wrap around the patients dentition.
• Slide the free ends of the right and left suction tube through the channels of the cheek retractor that you have already assembled (see above).
• Once the XerosGuard is comfortably placed and the possable arms have been adjusted to the desired positions in the patient's mouth, slide the freeends of the right and left suction tube into the bifurcated openings of the Y-adaptor.
• The low volume suction can now be hooked up to the opposing end of the Y- adaptor and turned on to the desired amount of suction.
• The tubing of the XerosGuard appliance can be further secured by sliding the tubing into the hook on either side of the U-bar. This will also keep the tubing secure while retracting excess tubing away from the visual field

Insertion (Post-assembly)

• Prior to insertion we recommend the following:
  • First slide the tongue crib to the furthest point anterior creating the shortest length of intra-oral suction tube arms.
  • This is easily adjusted intra-orally by pushing the arms posteriorly. Second bend the suction tube arms down slightly, this will encourage the suction ports to sit on the retromolar pads.
  • This is easily adjusted intra-orally by bending the arms up or down.
  • Remember you want the suction ports to sit on the retromolar pads for best suction performance
• Now you're ready to insert into the patient's mouth. You may wish to consider placing some petroleum jelly or lip moisturizer on your patients lips to maximize their comfort.
• Insert the XerosGuard in one piece. Run your finger along the commissure to ensure the retractor cradles your patient's lips.
• Now examine the suction arms and tongue crib. The suction arms should wrap around the distal of the terminal teeth and the suction ports should sit on the retromolar pads. The tongue crib should encase the tongue. It's sometimes helpful to ask your patient to "stick their tongue into the crib". Also ensure the sub-lingual suction ports are free and clear of sub lingual mucosa by running your finger along the sublingual of the tongue.
• If you have done this correctly your patient should be able to comfortably bite down into maximum intercuspation. Ask your patient if they are biting on anything (if they are not) you have successfully inserted the XerosGuard.
• If not adjust the poseable suction tube arms until this is the case. Don't forget to check the suction tube ports again if you have modified the suction tube arm positioning.
• Finally attach the Y-adapter to your chairside suction and turn on your suction. You should hear the intra-oral fluid starting to be evacuated. Adjust the strength of suction to meet your needs

Removal Of The XerosGuard

• Once you have finished your procedure remove the XerosGuard in one piece.
• Disconnect the Y-adapter from the suction and detach it from the XerosGuard(you will retain this piece and sterilize it with your other equipment).
• Disassemble the intra-oral component from the cheek retractor and dispose of it. Retain the cheek retractor component and sterilize it with your other equipment. You may wish to dissemble this piece for space considerations in your autoclave

Infection Control

• Here at XerosGuard, the health and safety of the patients and operators are of the highest priority.
• To eliminate any chance of cross contamination, any portion of the XG appliance in direct contact with patient's fluids or foreign debris which cannot be mechanically cleaned or directly steam sterilized such as the tubing running throughout the XG appliance is disposed of The external cheek retractors, Y-adaptors and bite blocks can be safely sterilized via stream autoclave following mechanical debridement in a machine wash.
• The basic principle of steam sterilization/autoclave is to expose each item to direct steam contact at the required temperature and pressure for the specified time. Thus, there are four parameters of steam sterilization: steam, pressure, temperature, and time. Pressure serves to obtain the high temperatures necessary to quickly kill microorganisms.
• Specific temperatures must be obtained to ensure the microbicidal activity.
  • The two common steam-sterilizing temperatures are 121°C (250°F) and 132°C (270°F) These temperatures must be maintained for a minimal time to kill microorganisms.
  • Recognized minimum exposure periods for sterilization of wrapped healthcare supplies are 30 minutes at 121°C (250°F) in a gravity displacement sterilizer or 4 minutes at 132°C (270°F) in a pre-vacuum sterilizer.
  • At constant temperatures, sterilization times vary depending on the type of item (e.g., metal versus rubber, plastic, items with lumens), whether the item is wrapped or unwrapped, and the sterilizer type.

Recommendation For Cheek Retractor Is Steam Autoclave (6 Critical Factors)

• Time (15 to 30 min)
• Temperature (121-132 oC)
• Moisture
• Direct Steam Contact
• Air removal
• Drying

Sterilization Protocols for Tongue Crib with Integrated Suction

• Recommendation is to discard after single use