03 Mar What is sterilization?
Sterilization is a fundamental process in dentistry, and there can be no failures, as this could lead to contamination of the instruments and cause infections to patients.
What is the process?
Within the sterilization there are several protocols for the elimination of both organic and inorganic matter.
It all starts with cleaning, that is the elimination of waste – such as blood, protein substances, microorganisms and other wastes. It is usually done with water and enzymatic detergent or cleaner, on surfaces, stretch marks, joints of instruments, devices and equipment, either by a manual or mechanical process, which prepares the elements for safe handling and / or additional decontamination. The next step is the disinfection that involves the chemical or thermal destruction of pathogens and other types of microorganisms. Disinfection is less lethal than sterilization, since it does not destroy all microbial forms. Sterilization consists of a disinfection for at least 10 hours.
What techniques are there?
There are many different techniques, but mainly two techniques are used:
- Steam autoclave: which uses spore at a temperature of 56 degrees.
- Dry heat: using a Poupinel stove, which heat sterilizes the instruments themselves.
At Clínica Blasi we put special care in sterilizing the instruments, knowing how fundamental this process is.