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UV retainer cases and sanitizers: what the claims mean

Whose kill rate is on the box, and how the FDA classes these devices.

Four ultraviolet fluorescent tubes glowing blue and violet against a dark wall
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UV Retainer Cleaners and Cases, Claim by Claim

Kill rates shown only as the makers' quoted claims.

The claims, below

Every UV cases and sanitizers guide

Planned pages are marked.

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Best Retainer Cleaners: Machines, Tablets and Crystals

One list across the three ways to clean a tray.

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UV cleaning cases and sanitizers: the basics

An FDA Class II device type

UV chamber disinfection devices, 21 CFR 880.6600 FDA

The number is the maker's

Sonic Dental cites its own lab reports Sonic Dental

Cloudy water, a counterpoint

Zima argues UV is less effective in cloudy water and sells a separate UV case Zima

Brushing still comes first

The AAO's routine is a daily brush and a weekly soak; its page does not mention UV AAO

What the makers claim, quoted

Their words, not ours.

Sonic Pro
"UV-C light kills 99.9% of bacteria, viruses & pathogens."
Sonic Dental, based on its own testing.
Sonic Odyssey
"The Odyssey is a cleaner and will kill 99.9% of bacteria and pathogens."
Sonic Dental, citing its own lab reports.

UV cases and sanitizers questions

Do UV retainer cleaners kill bacteria?

Makers say so: Sonic Dental says its UV-C light 'kills 99.9% of bacteria, viruses & pathogens', based on its own testing. We print such figures only as the maker's words. The FDA classes UV radiation chamber disinfection devices as Class II (21 CFR 880.6600).

What is the difference between an ultrasonic and a UV retainer cleaner?

An ultrasonic cleaner uses sound waves in water to loosen buildup, as its makers describe it; a UV-C chamber shines ultraviolet light. Some units, such as the Sonic Odyssey and Sonic Pro, do both, per Sonic Dental. Zima argues UV is less effective in cloudy water.

Why does Zima leave UV off its pods?

Zima argues UV light is less effective in cloudy water. It leaves UV off its Dental Pods and sells a separate UV case.