Sterilization of reusable implant components: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
The placement and restoration of dental implants require the use of numerous reusable instruments and components. The adequate sterilization of reusable instruments and components is essential to prevent cross contamination between patients. Sterilization usually is accomplished with single-use sterilization envelopes. A reusable sterilization vehicle would reduce costs as well as the waste generated in patient care.


OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine the efficacy of a 10-cc Pyrex test tube as a sterilization vehicle for reusable dental implant instruments and components.


METHODS
In this study, a reusable dental implant component was placed in a Pyrex test tube, along with a biologic test strip. A control biologic test strip was kept for each test tube. The test tube was closed with a cotton roll folded in half and placed in the opening. Twenty test tubes were prepared. five sets of 4 test tubes were placed in an autoclave in different locations with varying orientations. The autoclave completed a standard sterilization cycle.


RESULTS
The biological monitoring service indicated that the biologic test strips in 100% of the test tubes were sterile, whereas the control strips were 100% nonsterile.


CONCLUSIONS
A Pyrex test tube sealed with a cotton roll can serve as a sterilization vehicle for reusable dental implant instruments and components.
Cain
J R
JR
College of Dentistry, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City 73190, Okla., USA. joseph-cain@uohsc.edu
Mitchell
D L
DL
Gillespie
J C
JC
D001412:Bacillus subtilis; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000382:microbiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017743:Equipment Reuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001411:Geobacillus stearothermophilus; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013242:Sterilization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D015921:Dental Implants