Sterilization

Our clinic is equipped with 3 ultrasonic cleaners, 2 wrapping/sealing units and 5 autoclaves.

Ultrasonic cleaners are basins mounted on transducers that convert electricity into ultrasonic vibrations. Instruments are first cleaned in the ultrasonic bath , rinsed, wrapped in special pouches that allow the autoclave steam to penetrate and sterilize while not porous enough to allow microorganisms to penetrate through and contaminate the sterilized instruments.

Autoclave

Autoclave


Sterilization

Sterilization









But why 5 autoclaves? Autoclaves rely on an electronically monitored time/temperature/pressure combination to reach a sterilization state. Obviously the smaller the sterilization capacity, the faster the cycle. So we need small autoclaves that take only 6 minutes to sterilize handpieces and small instruments and larger ones which take up to 20 minutes/cycle to do the same job for larger items.


Sterilization

Sterilization


Sterilization

Sterilization

Autoclaves are indeed the corner-stones of modern standards of sterilization. Periodic calibration and bacteriologic tests may indicate that one of the units is not pulling enough vacuum before filling the chamber with steam or not reaching the required temperature, a backup unit of the same size is always there until the unit is serviced and back on duty.