Sterilization analysis of contaminated healing abutments and impression copings.
This study investigated sterilization of used implant impression copings and healing abutments. Components were analyzed after contamination with Enterococcus foecalis, followed by multiple rounds of sterilization by both steam autoclave and Chemiclave protocols. The authors' results demonstrated that used components showed sterility equal to new components without any visible distortion. These data suggest that component resterilization and reuse may be justified or at least considered in clinical practice. Also, implications for cost savings in the placement of implants are advanced.
Center for Dental Research, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Calif 92350, USA.
Vanessa
V
Browne
Michael
M
Flewelling
Mark
M
Wierenga
Alisa
A
Wilson
Ray
R
Aprecio
Paul
P
Richardson
Nikola
N
Angelov
Neal
N
Johnson
D017046:Cost Savings; D000044:Dental Abutments / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology*; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology*; D003761:Dental Impression Technique / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D006801:Humans; D019552:Infection Control, Dental / Q000379:methods; D013227:Steam; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*; D013499:Surface Properties
D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D015921:Dental Implants; D013227:Steam