One of the fastest and most effective surface disinfectant for hard, non-porous surfaces including chairs, stools, lights, and countertops. Kills COVID.
We offer a wide variety of dental instruments, tools and supplies. We promise that every item leaving our facility has undergone the most extensive scrutiny and quality control in the industry.
Ordering is easy through our online catalog. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, have questions about a product, need assistance or recommendations, please contact us and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Our toll-free number 1.800.222.1851 connects you directly to our knowledgeable customer service staff in Charleston, SC. You don’t have to wait through frustrating prompts to get the information you need. Our customers are at the heart of all we do. We pledge to provide only the highest-quality dental products with unequalled customer service.
Quality, value and service. There’s no substitute for ordering your dental office supplies direct from Diatech.
Meet the women who run Diatech: Karolyn, Patti, Phatima, Alicia and Cheri.
You are artists, and your canvas is the human body. There’s something intensely unique about creating the permanent design that your customers will wear.
There are also stringent regulations to follow, and many of these focus on sterilization.
Diatech offers a variety of autoclave, ultrasonic and dry heat sterilizer equipment for tattoo artists, ensuring that your workspace and needles are safe for the next customer. We’ll also help you stay within all your state’s sterilization regulations.
Sterilizing Equipment, Solutions & Supplies for the Tattoo Industry
One of the benefits of getting sterilizers, solutions and supplies from Diatech is that our team will make sure you meet even the most stringent requirements. Have a question? Ask our experts about which sterilization setup will work for your shop or browse the products below.
Maintaining Sterilization Equipment in a Tattoo Shop
If you don’t take care of your machine and follow the recommended maintenance, it may not provide the level of sterilization you need to stay in compliance.
All of our sterilizers come with detailed manufacturer’s instructions that are easy to follow.
Your state health department may require you to have regular quality check testing to ensure the unit is working properly. We stock tests for spore strips, cleaning monitors and indicator strips to ensure your equipment is sterile and reaching the right temperature over time.
Tattoo Art: A Profession that Requires Attention to Detail and Cleanliness
Attention to detail is all-consuming when you’re a tattoo artist. Every line and color must be perfect. Likewise, avoiding cross contamination requires detail that is vital for your safety and the safety of your clients.
Remember that bloodborne viruses can live on objects for almost a week, and it’s easy for germs and viruses to spread if your tattoo equipment is not maintained or surfaces are not disinfected.
Cross contamination can occur when:
Tools are placed on a counter that has not been disinfected
Tools are not sterilized between clients
Someone touches another object without removing gloves
The disinfectant isn’t left on the surface long enough to kill the germs
There’s a difference between clean and sterile. Cleaning refers to removing visible contaminants. Disinfecting is another step, which kills microorganisms except resistant bacterial spores.
Sterilization is the most thorough; it eliminates all microbial life. This is the most important aspect of keeping your tattoo shop safe and within state and federal regulations.
It’s one of the biggest questions you’ll face in your practice: Should you use moist heat vs. dry heat to sterilize your instruments? While both methods present some advantages, the best dry heat sterilizers offer one major difference—they do not damage even the most delicate dental instruments.
We’ll examine some of the differences between moist heat and dry heat sterilizers and provide extensive resources for you to find the one that best suits your needs.
What Are the Advantages of Dry Heat Sterilization?
The main advantage of dry heat sterilization is that it will not corrode or dull instruments. It’s also perfect for instruments that will be damaged by moist heat, such as powders, sharp instruments and even petroleum products.
However, you have to be sure that the instruments are completely dry before they are placed in the sterilizer.
Dry heat is also more environmentally friendly than moist heat, and it is a particularly economical choice for dental practices. Other advantages of dry heat sterilizers are:
It’s nontoxic
It has low operating costs
It easily penetrates materials
It’s noncorrosive
It doesn’t harm the environment
It’s easy to install
If you’re looking for a method of sterilization that is easy, effective, and won’t damage your delicate instruments then dry heat sterilization may be a good choice for you.
How Does Dry Heat Sterilization Work?
This method of sterilization raises the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (or 191 degrees Celsius). The typical cycle takes under 40 minutes, though there are several different rapid dry heat sterilizers on the market that are FDA-cleared and take less time.
How Do Moist Heat Sterilizers Work?
Moist heat sterilizers are heated to create a saturated steam that destroys microorganisms. You should follow your manufacturer’s instructions diligently, but in general, how long and how hot the temperature should be depends upon the BAR pressure.
But it’s important to realize that moist heat (steam) sterilization can cause corrosion on orthodontic and dental handpieces.
There are also several disadvantages to moist heat sterilization:
After the item is sterilized, it remains wet. This can cause rust to accumulate.
Repeated exposure can damage some delicate instruments.
May be more harmful to the environment.
What Are the Best Dry Heat Sterilizers?
The RapidPro line of dental sterilizers offers the unique combination of complete sterilization with cycles varying from six minutes to 12 minutes depending upon whether or not the instruments are wrapped. This represents the fastest FDA-cleared sterilization technology.
The RH-Pro9 uses 85 percent less energy than steam, and it’s compact size means you can easily find room for it on counters or cabinets.
We also offer the rapid heat RH-Pro 11 that offers the same fast sterilization technology that is also FDA-cleared.
As a leading supplier, we are proud to offer these best dry heat sterilizers for your dental or orthodontic practice.
Diligently Monitor Your Sterilization Equipment
Of course, having excellent sterilization equipment is only part of the equation. All sterilization equipment must be monitored by biological monitoring. For dry heat sterilization, this means making sure that the instrument reaches the required internal temperature — not the temperature of the air surrounding it.
For decades, we’ve provided the finest, durable dental and orthodontic instruments along with leading brands such as KENDA, Certol and ProDent. We value quality, and that’s why you’ll find we’re dedicated to the highest level of customer service.
As a women-run business, we invite you to see the Diatech difference for yourself. Order directly from Diatech and check out our latest specials.
When your burs aren’t getting the job done, you’re losing money.
Period.
Inefficiency costs dental offices thousands of dollars, and if your burs aren’t getting the job done in a timely, efficient manner, your profit is taking a hit.
But what if you could do four days’ worth of dentistry in three days?
It’s possible, but only if you have the right tools.
Today’s dentists might consider it an embarrassment of riches—now, more than ever, dental professionals have an extensive array of burs and shapes available that enable them to treat a wide variety of surfaces.
Whether you’re removing an old filling or preparing a tooth for a crown, there are a myriad of choices available to you. So how do you know when your burs are satisfactory and when you need to look for a replacement?
Signs Your Burs Aren’t Making the Cut
Better burs mean a better bottom line. Some signs that your current burs need replacement or need to be revisited include:
Routine dental hygiene tasks take longer
Instruments don’t stay sharp, even after moderate use
You’ve noticed patient complaints either in the office or on popular review sites
Appointments take longer (which means you’re seeing fewer patients)
Your instruments burnish the surface of calculus, which in turn opens the door for microbes
Difficulty removing calculus deposits
Okay, so now you know that your burs may not be all they’re cracked up to be…but what next?
There are still multiple choices about what kind of burs you should use to replace them. We’ll review some basic principles of what you should expect from your burs, how to determine the type of burs that are most efficient for your practice and how Diatech has you covered.
Multi-Use vs Single-Use Diamond Burs: Which Should You Use?
Is it worth a slightly larger investment to use a multi-use dental diamond bur? Or maybe eliminating the headache of sterilization with single-use burs would more closely align with your practice’s goals.
There is never a “one size fits all” for your practice. That’s why you should carefully evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of using single use vs. multi-use dental diamond burs in order to discover which one is right for your team.
Thankfully, with Diatech, you don’t have to choose. Our quality dental diamond burs are strong enough to last for several uses but are economical enough that you can opt to implement them as a single-use tool.
We’ll take a look at the pros and cons of single use vs. multi-use dental diamond burs, how to clean dental diamond burs, and how to decide which is right for your practice.
Three Reasons to Use Disposable Diamond Burs
Deciding to embrace the single-use model creates three main advantages: saving time, preventing infection and improving precision.
First, disposable dental diamond burs save time because you don’t have to sterilize them. Because these items are single use—and should never be processed—they should always be disposed of after one use.
They aren’t heat tolerant. There’s no way to properly or reliably disinfect single-use items. Disposing the items means you save time that would otherwise be spent sterilizing them.
Second, because they are disposed of after each use, this helps prevent infection by eliminating the chance of cross contamination between patients.
Third, they can improve your precision because every time you have a new, diamond dental bur on hand it is perfectly sharp because it has never been used.
Are Dental Burs Reusable? Reasons to Use Multiple-Use Dental Diamond Burs
Yes, dental burs are reusable, and for some practices, the multi-use option is more appropriate. It also presents advantages such as better economic investment and higher quality.
First, reusing the items can be very cost-effective, especially if the cost of disposable burs rises. You’ll have to take a look at your practice and evaluate this economic ratio to fit your individual situation.
Most dentists find that they can reuse a Diatech dental diamond bur around five times without sacrificing quality.
Of course, effective usage depends upon proper sterilization.
Many practices make the mistake of not biologically testing their sterilizer or making other sterilization errors.
Second, because these burs can last through several procedures, they are of much higher quality than what is seen in single-use only dental burs.
How to Clean Dental Diamond Burs
The process of cleaning and sterilizing dental diamond burs depends heavily upon the type of sterilization you’re using. This is weighed against the sterilization temperature.
By evaluating these two factors, you’ll be able to devise a “formula” that will enable you to thoroughly clean and disinfect your dental diamond burs.
The most common types of sterilization are unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizers, steam sterilizers and dry heat sterilizers.
How Long Does It Take to Sterilize Burs and Other Small Dental Instruments?
Again, this depends upon the type of sterilizer and the temperature. The time will vary depending upon the individual manufacturer’s recommendations, but in general, time can range from 20 to 40 minutes for unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizers.
Steam sterilizers may require up to 30 minutes, while dry heat sterilization can complete a cycle in six to 12 minutes. Oven-type dry heat sterilization can need 60 to 120 minutes.
Before you begin sterilization procedures, you want to be sure you’re efficiently monitoring your sterilization equipment to ensure you’re meeting all CDC guidelines.
Diatech: The Right Choice for Dental Diamond Burs
With Diatech, you don’t have to decide between single-use or multi-use. Our diamond burs are of high quality and are designed to be used multiple times. However, they are also economically priced, so you also have the option of using them as single-use burs as well.
The Best Carbide Burs for Working with Acrylic & Composites
When considering the best type of carbide bur for working with dental acrylic and dental composites, you should consider aspects such as shape, size and blade design. All these elements work together to streamline the process, producing the best results possible for patients and your practice.
Understanding Your Burs
When examining your burs, you already know that diamond burs are a good choice for grinding away at the enamel but remember that they will leave a rough surface.
Carbide burs leave a smoother surface. Created from tungsten carbide, they are around three times stiffer than steel, which makes them the perfect choice to remove large pieces, especially if preparing an area for a filling. Carbides are also a good choice for removing an old filling and for shaping bone.
Be sure that smaller burs are used in narrow areas to avoid touching surrounding areas.
Larger burs are better for creating smooth surfaces and reducing the amount of acrylic material.
Typically, flutes that are deep and wide may be more commonly used to prepare cavities.
Shapes to Consider When Working with Dental Composite and Acrylic
Not sure what type of carbide bur would be best in your situation? Don’t worry, we’ve outlined some of the most common functions for each shape.
According to Inside Dental Assisting Magazine, the most popular shapes for carbides are tapered and round because they have the most flexibility and can be used on a wide variety of surfaces. We’ll take a look at the different types of carbide bur shapes and what to consider when purchasing one.
Some of the more common bur shapes and cuts that are most frequently used with dental composite include:
Cross-cut
These can streamline the cutting process. They can section multi-rooted teeth and are also needed if you want to reduce the height of a crown. They cut quickly but often they can cause more vibration.
Straight-bladed
A good choice, they may cut slower but are often smoother.
These burs are a good choice for creating undercuts as well as access points. They’re also perfect for cavity preparation.
Pear
This can be another option if you need to create an access point. Like the round shape, they are also used for cavity preparation. For smaller teeth, the pear shape can be useful for splitting roots.
What Makes Our Carbide Burs Different
Our proprietary technology allows us to produce these burs from a single piece. As a result, they provide less vibration, less chatter and have precision concentricity.
Not only do they have less likelihood of rusting, but they have reduced prep time. Our advanced quality control process ensures precision carbide burs and their clinical performance for your complete satisfaction.
When working with acrylic, consider some of our quality products such as:
We offer quality, reliability, and the kind of superior customer service that you should expect when ordering a Diatech product. We have an expanded product range, and when you need assistance, you’ll get a customer service representative—not a recording or a frustrating “phone tree.”
The Best Finishing Burs for Your Practice
You’re facing two very challenging tasks.
First is the restoration of your patients’ teeth. This may mean making a crown or simply filling a cavity.
The second challenge is the effort to make the tooth look natural, providing a smooth contour and refined polish.
Properly finishing a tooth is where advanced dental science mixes with crafted artistry to create a surface that is as close to the original tooth as possible.
This is why fine grit burs and finishing carbides are some of the most instrumental parts of your bur set. It’s vital that no excess material goes beyond the cavity or overhangs.
It also has to properly align with other teeth. Properly finishing teeth also means that there is less risk of staining, and it helps keep plaque from gathering on the surface of your restorations.
Getting a stellar result means using the right tools, and we want to review with you some vital finishing bur bits to have in your bur set.
What type of finishing bur or bits should you use?
Following are some things you should keep in mind when deciding what type of finishing dental diamond bur set to purchase for your practice.
According to the book Aesthetic Dentistry, comfort is the main factor in selecting a bur. This means a better experience for your patient and yourself. As we discussed in an earlier blog post, patient satisfaction creates a more pleasant work environment for all who are involved.
Dental Bits & Burs to Avoid
You should not use non-flexible strips and abrasive discs because they can flatten the tooth’s contours. These anatomical contours are essential in creating the natural look your patient needs. You should also avoid coarser diamond burs as well as carbides with more than 12 flutes. These bur bits can cause damage to the outer restoration layer.
Use the Most Appropriate Bur Shapes
Good burs to use are a proximal bur and conical burs.
Needle-shaped, fluted tungsten carbide burs are a good choice, as long as they are 8 to 12 fluted. These help recreate the peaks and valleys that are seen in natural teeth. Pointed burs can also help when you’re attempting to finish areas that are located in the margins. It’s important to always use lighter pressure and a large amount of coolant.
What should you look for in a good finishing bur?
Dental bur assortment sets don’t always get the attention they deserve. After all, there are several more high-dollar items in use for your dental practice, and these bits may seem minor when compared to the investment in materials such as digital X-rays, sterilization equipment and even dental chairs.
But an efficient finishing bur is a benefit to both your practice and the bottom line.
Don’t fall for the “false economy” of burs that are inexpensive but don’t last long.
Look for carbide burs that have less vibration and “chatter” in order to help you shape bone. Some of the less coarse diamond burs could be a good choice, particularly for extreme precision and polishing.
Several Important Factors of Selecting a Dental Bur Set
There is a dizzying array of various dental bur sets you can select, so how can you tell which is the right one for you? We’ve outlined a few important points you should consider.
First, examine the primary focus of your practice. Do you concentrate more on orthodontics or does your office specialize in endodontics? You should gear your tools to the procedures you perform the most.
For an example, crosscut burs will cut faster, while those used for preparing teeth for a restoration or filling will cut wider and deeper.
Second, examine the shape you need. It’s important to focus on the shapes you use most—each shape can be used for certain procedures, and the cut of the bur can often influence how much the handpiece vibrates. This can make a big difference in precision.
Third, look at the type of material that will work best. As we’ve discussed in this article, coarse diamonds may not be the best choice for finishing, but some of the smoother varieties of diamonds may be effective, especially for polishing. For more information, check out this useful article that will help you determine if diamond or carbide burs will be the best choice for you.
Interested in learning more? Take a look at some of our other useful articles:
Diamond or Carbide Burs? These Questions Will Help You Decide
For decades, we’ve produced the best diamond and carbide burs that are both versatile and long-lasting. But when should you use a diamond vs. a carbide bur? We’ve gathered some useful questions to help you decide which might be appropriate.
The Differences Between Diamond and Carbide Burs and When You Should Use Them
When considering what type of bur to use, ask yourself:
What type of procedure are you doing?
The right tool is needed for the right job, so this should be the first question you ask when considering diamond vs. carbide. For example, a carbide bur would be a better choice if you were preparing a tooth for a filling.
What type of material will I be cutting?
If you’re cutting a hard material such bone or metal, then a carbide bur would be a good choice. They can be easily used on gold, silver and bone. They’re also an excellent choice for removing old fillings. Diamonds would be a better choice for cutting porcelain.
How much material will I be removing?
Diamond burs are more appropriate for detail work instead of removing large pieces of material. For these jobs, carbide would be the best choice.
What is the level of precision required?
Granted, all procedures require absolute accuracy. However, sometimes you have a situation where you have to be even more diligent about the details. For cases such as this, you may want a diamond bur. They are smoother than carbides and will provide the precision you need. In addition, diamond burs tend to last longer than carbides
Diatech Diamond Burs Have Been the Leaders in the Industry
At Diatech, good is simply not good enough. Extensive craftsmanship and stringent quality control go into every piece that leaves our facility. We’ve also cut out the middleman so you can order direct—which saves time and money. Contact us for more information.
See What Makes Diatech Stand Out From Our Competitors
We use only the highest quality materials, including Swiss-engineered gold diamonds. All of our products offer the best in longevity, value, performance and durability. We understand the importance of efficiency to reduce fatigue.
We want you to experience the ease of our online ordering and how eliminating the middleman takes a lot of headache—and expense—out of the process. Isn’t it time you experienced Diatech quality? Contact us for information on our latest specials.
Dental sterilization is the most important aspect of your job.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t other facets that carry a lot of weight. Filling cavities or providing orthodontic services can go a long way toward helping your patients maintain good dental health.
But sterilization of dental equipment is a vital safeguard for your patients, your practice and even your bottom line.
We’ll guide you through the different types of dental sterilizers and the advantages of each.
Important Information About Dental Sterilization
Before sterilizing instruments, it’s imperative that you are familiar with the guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control.
These guidelines mention that when infection occurs, the breakdown in the procedure can be related to three main areas:
Unsafe injection practices
Failing to heat sterilize dental handpieces between patients
Failure to maintain autoclaves by conducting regular spore testing
The CDC document on infection prevention emphasizes that sterilizers should always be monitored by using a combination of techniques. This includes the following indicators:
Biological –including spore tests
Mechanical
Chemical
It’s important to note that because spore tests don’t produce results immediately, it’s also vital to complement them by using mechanical and chemical methods.
This is a good choice for orthodontic equipment because it doesn’t damage any instruments with hinges. In addition to a sterilizing temperature of 375°F (191°C), many have a cool down cycle. This means you can easily handle the material immediately after sterilization.
An advantage of our dry heat sterilizers is that they have a large load capacity, and the entire cycle is under 40 minutes. They also don’t release any harmful fumes and do not cause metals to corrode or rust.
Ultrasonic cleaners also have their own set of advantages.
Not only do they use minimal power, but they can easily remove trace contaminants even if they are tucked into small crevices. This means you don’t have to take these pieces apart before you clean them.
How Long to Sterilize Dental Equipment?
There are two main factors you must take into account when determining how long to sterilize dental equipment.
First, there’s the type of sterilization you’re using. Second, there’s the temperature. Once you determine those two factors, you can calculate the time needed. Therefore, it’s very important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on sterilization.
For unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizers, pressure should be 20 psi, and the temperature should be 270 degrees Fahrenheit (or roughly 132 degrees Celsius) with a sterilization time of 20 to 40 minutes.
With steam sterilization, there are cycle times that can range from two and a half minutes to 30 minutes for a temperature of 134 to 121 degrees Celsius, which equals 273.2 to 249.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dry heat sterilization can comprise rapid heat transfer, in which case there should be a temperature of 191 degrees Celsius or 375.8 degrees Fahrenheit with a cycle of six to 12 minutes.
Oven-type dry heat sterilization can need 60 to 120 minutes.
Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Most states have allowed dental practices to open and permitted them to provide elective care. However, you should be aware that there are still some restrictions, and although patients may be returning, the situation is far from “normal.”
The Centers for Disease Control has updated its guidelines and suggests that dental healthcare personnel wear eye protection in addition to their facemasks. This not only protects them from any respiratory transmission but also guards against unexpected splashes and sprays.
If you’re working with an aerosol-generating procedure, the CDC also advises using a respirator that has an N95 or higher level of protection.
Be sure to check the CDC’s informational page for more extensive details that specifically address dental practices.
You might want to also take advantage of this tool kit available from the ADA that contains valuable resources, including a sample patient letter and pre-appointment screening process.
Need some additional comprehensive information? Check out these COVID-19 dental practice FAQs from the ADA.
Interested in Learning More? Check Out Our Previous Articles
We’ve got all the information you need on dental sterilization. Take a closer look at:
We believe in not only creating the best products on the market, but we also believe in providing the education and information you need to make the right choice. We affirm that when you evaluate our Diatech products against others, you’ll see why we’re the pioneering leader in providing innovative products for the dental industry.
Our dedication to customer service means you always talk to a representative, not a “phone tree,” and we’re never satisfied until you are. We want to be a part of your team and help drive your success.
We make ordering online easy. Check out our daily specials and contact us if you have any questions.
At Diatech, we manufacture superior and innovative products for the dental industry… for the dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, orthodontist, endodontist and lab technician. We stand behind our promise of uncompromised quality and the best in competitive pricing.
How clean are your instruments? If you think you can tell just by looking, think again.
The degree of cleanliness is only clear through detailed, microscopic examination. A study by the Centers for Disease Control found that 91 percent of instruments may be visually clean but, when these same instruments were examined under a microscope, 84 percent actually had some kind of residual debris. Statistics like that indicate the importance of maintaining proper dental office sterilization equipment.
We’ve outlined seven “deadly sins” that can spell doom for your dentist’s sterilization machine. Don’t let your practice fall prey to these problems.
1. Failure to test equipment on a regular basis.
The CDC recommends doing a spore test weekly. While a failed spore test doesn’t automatically indicate a problem with your sterilizer, the test should be immediately repeated to help determine the issue.
Sterilizers should also be tested when they are:
Installed
Relocated
Repaired
Redesigned
Whenever there is a failed spore test, an action plan must be set into place immediately.
2. Failure to test by using biological indicators (BI)
There are several ways to test sterilizers, but the most reliable way to test dental office sterilization equipment is by using spore test strips.
There are two types of spores that are often used in these BI tests. These are the same spores that manufacturers must test for when getting FDA clearance for their sterilizers.
Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores are used for testing steam sterilizers and sterilizers that use unsaturated chemical vapors.
Bacillus atrophaeus spores are used for testing dry heat sterilizers.
We’ve provided some extensive, useful information on how to biologically monitor your sterilization equipmentin one of our earlier blog articles.
3. Testing using only BI indicators
While biological indicators are the most reliable method of testing equipment, it should not be the only method. Why? Spore testing is typically done once a week, and it may take a while to get the results of the spore tests. Therefore, any good sterilization process should also involve mechanical and chemical monitoring.
Mechanical monitoring involves being sure that the sterilizer’s gauges and displays are working properly. Granted, this doesn’t guarantee that everything is functioning as it should. However, this is usually the first sign that something could be wrong with your dental office sterilization equipment.
Chemical monitoring utilizes indicators that can change color or shape depending upon the operational parameters. According to Dental Economics magazine, the CDC recommends that an internal chemical indicator should be placed into each package.
4. Incorrectly loading the sterilizer
Overloading can lead to sterilization failures—and it’s a very common problem. It can cause prolonged warm-up times, taking your sterilizer longer to reach the necessary temperature. In addition, if a sterilizer is overloaded, it could be difficult to ensure that all surfaces of the dental instruments have been sufficiently sterilized.
Another problem occurs when you load the dental office sterilization equipment using the wrong packaging material. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the type of dentist’s sterilization machine that you are using.
Incorrectly loading by inserting certain types of packaging can prevent sterilizing agents from reaching the instruments. In some cases, plastic parts of packaging can melt and paper can burn. Be aware that some thick cloths can absorb excessive amounts of steam.
5. Insufficient temperature
Remember that it is imperative that the instruments—not just the chamber—are heated to the correct temperature for a sufficient amount of time. The exact temperature will vary according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
However, in general, an autoclave sterilizes instruments at around 243 to 250 degrees F, while with dry heat sterilizers, that temperature is 300 F to 375 F. Unsaturated chemical vaporizer sterilizers work at around 270 degrees F.
Before you begin to sterilize your equipment, be sure you have the correct temperature as outlined in the instructions.
6. Insufficient exposure time
How long you should sterilize your instruments depends upon several factors, including the type of sterilizer you use and whether your instruments are wrapped or unwrapped. Manufacturer’s instructions should be followed to the letter to ensure that you use the correct exposure times.
In an autoclave, material should be sterilized in four to 30 minutes. By comparison, in dry heat sterilization takes from 12 to 150 minutes and in unsaturated chemical vapor sterilizers from 20 to 40 minutes.
7. Failure to use infection prevention protocol
Scrubbing is sometimes needed before sterilization after certain procedures. Mechanical cleaning will reduce the amount of time staff spend handling contaminated dental instruments, and therefore reduce the chances of injury.
However, if your employees do need to scrub the instrument by hand before putting it into the sterilizer, heavy-duty gloves, eyewear, a gown and a mask should always be worn. Scrub only one instrument at a time in order to minimize the risk of a puncture.
What to Do If There is a Sterilizer Failure
If there are indicators that your sterilizer has failed, you should immediately put an action plan in place. Remember that most of these sterilization failures are due to human error –such as improper wrapping or packaging—and not to the equipment itself.
Still, any time there is an indicator of a sterilization problem, no matter what its source, the following steps should be taken, according to Registered Dental Hygienist magazine:
Immediately take the unit out of service. This should happen after receiving the second positive spore test. Remember that any items that were processed between the first and second spore tests may have not been adequately sterilized.
Review all sterilization procedures. This means securing all records of parameters and indicator results. It’s also a good opportunity to review the sterilization protocol with staff.
Retest and observe all the operational parameters. All repaired sterilizers must be spore tested before they can be used again.
Determine what you should do with the sterilizer. If the sterilizer continues to fail spore tests despite proper operations and repairs, you should consider purchasing another sterilizer.
Diatech Specializes in Reliable Sterilization Equipment
Contact us today and see how Diatech eliminates the middleman to offer you the best products at competitive prices.
At Diatech, we manufacture superior and innovative products for the dental industry… for the dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, orthodontist, endodontist and lab technician. We stand behind our promise of uncompromised quality and the best in competitive pricing.
