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Dental Instruments

 

RECOMMENDED STEPS IN CLEANING, STERILIZATION & MAINTENANCE OF DENTAL INSTRUMENTS

  

1. HOLDING/PRESOAK 

It is important NEVER to hold instruments in a DRY container, which allows blood and debris to dry onto instrument surfaces and makes cleaning more difficult. If rinsing and decontamination  processes are not immediately available, pre-treat instruments or hold them in a neutral PH holding/presoak enzymatic solution after patient use but before actual cleaning. As soon as possible, rinse, disinfect and clean as follows: 

  

2. RINSE 

Immediately after use, remove organic materials by rinsing instruments under warm (not hot) running water. Rinse should remove most blood fluids and tissue. Always wear safety protection gear. 

  

3. DISINFECT 

To protect medical personnel from contamination during cleaning, immerse instruments completely in an EPA approved disinfectant for approximately 10-20 minutes. Always closely follow manufacturers’ recommended disinfecting time and solution preparation instructions. Then rinse again. 

  

CAUTION: Disinfected instruments are NOT STERILE.

 

Never expose stainless steel instruments to bleach or other corrosive 

chemicals to disinfect. Exposure to bleach may result in instrument pitting. 

  

4. CLEAN 

All blood, dried body fluids and tissue should be completely removed from the instruments prior to sterilization. Several methods are available. 

  

A. Soak: An enzymatic cleaner soak or a solution of water and neutral pH detergent to remove organic material from instruments.  

Use distilled water if possible. Instruments should be fully submerged for at least

10 minutes. Be sure dissimilar metal instruments are separated. Rinse instruments under running water to remove cleaning solution. Change solution frequently. 

  

B. Ultrasonic Cleaning: Most instrument manufacturers recommend ultrasonic cleaning as the most effective way to clean surgical instruments, particularly those with hinges, box locks, and other moving parts. All instruments must be fully submerged in open position. Use distilled water if possible. Make sure that "sharps" blades do not touch other instruments to prevent possible surface scratching and also be sure dissimilar metal instruments are separated. 

Process instruments for full recommended ultrasonic cleaning cycle. Change solution frequently, or as often as the manufacturer recommends. 

Rinse instruments with water to remove the cleaning solution.  

  

C. Automatic Washer Sterilizers: Follow manufacturers’ recommendations but ensure instruments are lubricated after the last rinse cycle and before the sterilization cycle. 

  

CAUTION: Needle holders and forceps may crack if sterilized in closed position. 

  

D. Manual Cleaning: If ultrasonic cleaning is not available, observe the following steps: 

  • Use stiff nylon cleaning brush. Do not use steel wool or wire brushes except specially recommended stainless steel wire brushes. 
  • Use only neutral pH detergents.  If not rinsed off properly, low pH (acidic) detergents  break down the stainless protective surface resulting in pitting and/or black staining.  High pH detergents (alkaline) can cause brown stains which can interfere with the smooth operation of instruments.  
  • Make sure instrument surfaces are visibly clean and free from stains and tissue. This is also a good time to inspect each instrument for proper function and condition. 
  • Check scissors’ blades to ensure proper function. Blades should glide open and closed smoothly. Cutting edge instruments should be sharp and free of damage. 
  • Check hemostats and needle holders to ensure jaw tips close in first ratchet position and entire jaw should close in third ratchet position. Check instruments for loose hinges and verify that they lock and unlock easily. Also check instruments for wear on jaw surfaces. 
  • After scrubbing, rinse instruments thoroughly under running water. While rinsing, open and close scissors, hemostats, needle holders and other hinged instruments to make sure the hinge areas are rinsed out and no debris remain. 

  

5. AFTER CLEANING 

Separate dissimilar metals prior to sterilizing/autoclaving. If instruments are to be stored, let them air-dry and store them in a clean and dry environment. 

  

6. AUTOCLAVING 

  

A. Lubricate all hinged instruments which have any "metal to metal" action, at the screw or box lock. A non-silicone, water-soluble surgical lubricant is recommended. Do not use industrial oils or lubricants. 

  

B. Sterilize instruments either individually or in sets. 

  

Individual Instruments: Disposable paper or plastic pouches are ideal. Make sure to use a wide enough pouch for instruments with ratchet locks so instruments can be sterilized in an open position. Instruments locked during autoclaving can experience cracked hinges or other problems because 

of heat expansion. If wrapping instruments, make sure the towel does not contain detergent residue, which can stain instruments. 

 

Instrument Sets: Unlock all instruments and sterilize in an open position. Place heavy instruments on the bottom of set (when two layers are required). Do not overload the chamber because an air pocket may form 

that hinders steam penetration. 

  

CAUTION: With most portable tabletop autoclaves, at the end of the autoclave cycle and before the drying cycle, unlock the door and open it no more than a crack, about 1/4". Then run the dry cycle for the period recommended by the autoclave manufacturer. If the autoclave door is fully opened before the drying cycle, cold room air will rush into the chamber causing condensation on the instruments that may result in water stains or cause wet packs. Make sure autoclave filters and chambers are cleaned as recommended by the manufacturer. 

  

Keep in mind the difference between:  

.Sterile - an absolute term (no living organism survives)  

.Disinfected - basically clean. Some organisms may survive. Always use the proper sterilization/cleaning technique to render the instrument in the required condition for use.

 

Sharpeez

 

Sharpeez Product Catalog

 
 
 

Instrument Sharpening

Instrument Type

Sharpen 

Single End

Sharpen 

Double End

Re-tip 

Single End

Re-tip

Double End

Scalers/Curettes
Explorers
Carvers/Excavators
Margin Trimmers
Hatchets/Chisels
Hoes/Angle Formers

   

1-24....$3.00

25+.....$2.50

  

1-24....$6.00

25+....$5.00

  

1-24....$6.00

25+....$5.50

  

1-24....$9.00

25+....$7.75

Bone Chisel Files

1-24....$8.50

25+....$7.50

1-24....$17.00

25+....$16.00

 N/A

 N/A

Surgical Curetts
Perio Chisels
Root Tip Picks

1-24....$6.50

25+....$6.00

1-24....$13.00

25+....$12.00

1-24....$10.00

25+....$9.50

1-24....$20.00

25+....$19.00

Elevators

1-24....$13.00

25+....$10.00

1-24....$24.00

25+.....$20.00

1-24....$24.00

25+....$20.00

 N/A

Perio Probe

 N/A

 N/A

1-24....$16.00

25+....$14.00

1-24....$32.00

25+....$28.00

Gingival Knives (Perio)

1-24....$6.00

25+....$5.00

1-24....$12.00

25+....$10.00

 N/A

 N/A

Extraction Forceps

1-24....$29.00

25+....$25.00

N/A

 N/A

 N/A

Needle Holders

1-24....$18.50

25+....$17.50

 N/A

Carbide

$50

 N/A

Ligature Cutters

1-24....$33.50

25+....$31.50

 N/A

Carbide

$50

 N/A

Scissors

1-24....$17.00

25+....$15.00

 N/A

Carbide

$50

 N/A

Rongeurs

1-24....$29.00

25+....$25.00

 N/A

 N/A

 N/A