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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cross-infection in the dental profession. Dental instruments sterilization: assessment. 1.

In dentistry, and as a part of the health profession, cross-infection is a professional hazard. The infection can be transmitted by instruments, dental personnel or by patients. Dental instrument sterilization is a vital procedure to reduce the chance of cross-infection in the dental profession. Part I of this study is to assess the dental instruments sterilization at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Random samples were taken from the CSSD for this purpose. No bacterial growth was detected.

Cross Infection

Comparison of three lasers for dental instrument sterilization.

The sterilization of dental instruments is an area of great interest and recent concern in the field of dentistry. The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of three lasers (argon, CO2, and NdYAG) to sterilize dental instruments. Endodontic reamers were contaminated with microorganisms, lased at various levels of energy, placed in Trypticase soy broth, incubated, and read for growth or no growth to determine sterility. Results indicated that the argon laser is capable of sterilizing selected dental instruments at the lowest energy level (1 watt for 120 seconds) of the three lasers tested. The other two lasers were able to sterilize the instruments also, but at higher energy levels. Results indicated all three lasers capable of sterilizing selected dental instruments; however, the argon laser was able to do so consistently at the lowest energy level of 1 watt for 120 seconds.

Argon

Use of dental instruments for bridging during electric pulp testing.

It has been suggested that dental instruments can be used as bridging instruments to facilitate electric pulp testing of teeth with extensive restorations. This study reports a clinical investigation to evaluate the effectiveness of this procedure. One hundred seventeen vital teeth in 20 volunteers were tested. Ten endodontically treated teeth functioned as controls. Following appropriate isolation and asepsis technique, baseline recordings of the threshold response with the electric pulp tester were taken. With the use of dental explorers and endodontic files to bridge between the probe tip and the tooth surface, recordings were made of the threshold responses. Findings indicate that electrically conductive dental instruments can be reliably used as bridging instruments with the electric pulp tester.

Dental Instruments

Autoclaving of lubricated dental instruments.

Test organisms forced mechanically into lubricated, rotating dental instruments (handpieces) were all killed during autoclaving at 134 degrees C for 8 min, even when protected by serum and oil. The test organisms were: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and spores of Bacillus stearothermophilus. Also when testing the sterility of autoclaved simulated instrument surfaces (brass cylinders and pieces of a cotton fabric) which had been inoculated with bacteria and dried before they were sprayed with oil, there was no growth of the test organisms. In addition to the other test organisms, spores of Bacillus subtilis and Gram-positive, anaerobic bacteria isolated from used handpieces that had been exposed to several autoclavings were used. Some of the handpieces that had been left to dry after use in the dentist's office before they were autoclaved, were shown not to be sterile. Therefore, the authors suggest that autoclaving of the instruments should take place shortly after use and prescribed cleaning.

Bacteria

Sterilization beneath rings on dental instruments.

This study determined the effectiveness of standard methods of instrument sterilization beneath instrument rings. Sets of three types of dental instruments were contaminated with known amounts of bacterial spores (Bacillus stearothermophilus or Bacillus subtilis). Instrument rings were placed over the contamination and the instruments processed through standard cycles in a steam autoclave, an unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizer, a standard dry heat sterilizer, an ethylene oxide gas sterilizer or a 2.0% alkaline glutaraldehyde solution. Controls consisted of spore-contaminated instruments without rings that were not processed through any sterilizing method and that were processed through each sterilizing method. All instruments and their associated rings were cultured for the presence of live spores. The results indicate that the reliability of sterilization beneath the instrument rings used is greatest if the ringed instruments are processed through a steam autoclave or an unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizer.

Bacillus subtilis

[Disinfectants and sterilizants for dental instruments].

A comparative study of ten (10) products recommended for disinfection and/or sterilization of dental instruments is detailed. Four (4) out of fourteen (14) characteristics have been evaluated, namely corrosive power, monthly cost, odor and availability.

Corrosion