What do dentists use to sterilise their instruments?

Question

The dentist I visited today had very dirty looking instruments. He assured me that they were sterile but I was not convinced and I declined having my teeth checked. I have never come a cross such dirty tools. I suggested that he use some vinegar to get these instruments clean but I would be interested to know what the cleaning process entails.

Answer 1

You have the right to know about the sterility of the insturments....A discussion should have ensued about what their office does and he might have showed you the machine....

Sometimes over time instruments may get a bit pitted (from the steam sterilization) it does not affect their sterility, just their appearance.....but ones that look very bad should be disposed of.....

He should have showed you the process to ease your mind....

( and when you get a tatoo or piercing, I hope you are just as observant!)

Answer 2

First the dental assistant should remove any gross debris by scrubbing them in the sink.

then the assistant will put them in an ultrasonic basin filled with a bacteriocidal solution.   this will remove anything in the nook and crannies.

then the instruments go into an autoclave (pressure and heat) which sterilizes them.

many things are one time use and disposable.

when the instruments are heat sensitive, they are placed in a cold solution and left for the recommended time.  this sterilization may tend to stain the instruments, but are sterile.

when in doubt, go to another place.  cleanliness is something you shouldn't second guess.

Answer 3

hot water, some kind of oven thingy and alcohol swips

Answer 4

The sterilizing techniques used in the dental field are bio-sonic and chemiclave or steam sterilization- along with a sterile wipe that kills just about everything.  These unfortunately are hard on the shiny surfaces of dental tools and it is difficult to keep them looking their finest.  

I should hope that they were sterile-dental offices are quite careful about that.