Type of Sterilization of Dental Instruments

Sterilization of Dental Instruments is an integral part of running a successful Dental practice as it safeguards the patients from cross infection along with protecting the Dental Clinic Staff from contracting any diseases. There are various modes of disease transmission and all of these need to be addressed with your sterilization protocol – Inhalation, Ingestion, Auto inoculation or Percutaneous injury.

The infection control protocol should be Procedural based and not Patient Based as the interaction of the instruments and equipment with bodily fluids is very high in any patient.

Instruments which penetrate the Soft tissue (mucosa, gingiva, bone) are termed as critical instruments which pose the greatest risk for transmission. The instruments which do not penetrate the soft tissue are semi critical instruments which pose a lower risk of disease transmission.

Dental Instruments which should be HEAT Sterilized:

There are 2 types of Heat Sterilization technique – Dry Heat (incinerators, hot air ovens, or flaming techniques) and Moist Heat sterilization (Autoclave).

• Surgical Instruments
• Endodontic Instruments
• Hand and Orthodontic Instruments
• Burs and bur changers
• Air way Syringe tips
• High volume suction tips
• Electrosurgery tips
• Metal Impression trays
• Intraoral radiographic equipment (which can withstand heat sterilization)

Dental Insruments that must be chemically Sterilized:

• Glass mixing slabs
• Spatulas – Metal and plastic
• Non-disposable platic equipment
• Dappen dish (glass)
• Mirrors for intraoral photography
• Cheek retractors
• handles for brush tips

Single Use or Use and Throw items in Dental Clinic:

• Gloves and Masks
• Needles or Syringes
• Local Anesthesia carpules
• Disposable water glasses
• Suction tips
• Plastic airway syringe tips
• Polishing discs, cups, brushes, fluoride trays
• Disposable impression trays
• Orthodontic – Wires, brackets, matrix bands

There is another type of Sterilization called – FLASH Sterilization which involves sterilization of instruments for immediate use.

Chemical sterilant (e.g. glutaraldehyde, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide) are powerful, sporicidal chemicals and are highly toxic. Instruments can be sterilized by placing them in a 2% solution of glutaraldehyde for 6-10 hours.