Dental Instruments Care and Handling

Proper care and handling of dental instruments are essential for their longevity and safe use. All instruments must be thoroughly cleaned, lubricated, sterilized, and inspected before each use. At Dentura Dental Instruments, we meticulously inspect each instrument for quality and ensure it is securely packaged to arrive in optimal condition.

However, instruments are delicate, and their functionality may be compromised during shipping, storage, handling, or maintenance. It's crucial to ensure that your instruments remain in top condition before use. Below are critical steps for the care, handling, and inspection of dental instruments to help maintain their performance. Misuse of instruments can lead to damage, and Dentura Dental Instruments cannot be held liable for damages resulting from improper use.



Critical Care, Handling, Processing, and Inspection:

  1. Decontamination: All instruments should be thoroughly decontaminated before and after each use.
  2. Ultrasonic Cleaning: Perform ultrasonic cleaning after every use to ensure thorough cleaning.
  3. Check Screws and Pins: Ultrasonic cleaning vibrations can loosen screws or pins. Regularly check and tighten them if needed.
  4. Hand Washing Delicate Instruments: Use a neutral pH solution (between 7.0 to 8.5) to hand-wash delicate instruments.
  5. Lubrication: After cleaning, lubricate all instruments using a water-soluble, antimicrobial lubricant. Ultrasonic cleaning removes lubrication, so this step is essential. Only lubricate dry instruments.
  6. Critical Inspection: Verify that the instruments are thoroughly cleaned and function correctly. The action should be smooth, with no stiffness or sticking, and all parts should be secure.
  7. Sterilization: Use methods such as autoclaving, steam, or Ethylene Oxide (ETO) sterilization, which helps preserve the life of delicate instruments.
  8. Inspection After Sterilization: Perform a final visual and mechanical inspection of instruments, tagging any problematic items identified during use for easy recognition.


Warnings:

  • These devices are intended for use by properly trained, qualified, and competent personnel.
  • Always follow local health and safety protocols when reprocessing medical devices.
  • Follow manufacturer instructions for decontaminants, disinfectants, and cleaning agents.
  • Avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive agents, and mineral acids during cleaning.
  • Do not exceed a sterilization temperature of 140°C to prevent damage to sensitive materials.
  • Some materials may be damaged by alkaline solutions with a pH above 10.
  • Using instruments for purposes other than their intended use may result in breakage or failure.
  • Proper cleaning, handling, and sterilization procedures are vital to ensure performance and prolong the instrument’s lifespan.
  • Instruments made from different metals should be processed separately to prevent electrolytic reactions.
  • Wear appropriate protective gear, such as gloves and eyewear, when handling biologically contaminated devices.
  • Use an automatic washer/disinfector if available, as manual cleaning is not recommended.


Cleaning Precautions:

  • Prevent mechanical damage during transport to the processing area.
  • Transport instruments as soon as possible after use to avoid contamination.
  • Avoid soaking instruments in hot water, alcohol, disinfectants, or antiseptics to prevent coagulation of body fluids.
  • Do not use steel wool, wire brushes, or other abrasive materials for cleaning.
  • Use only specifically formulated cleaning agents, preferably enzymatic cleaners with bacterial and fungicidal properties for manual cleaning.


Storage Before Use:

The shelf life of sterilized instruments depends on the packaging, storage environment, and handling conditions. The healthcare facility should define the maximum shelf life of sterilized devices before use.



Warranty:

We guarantee that all raw materials and finished dental instruments supplied by Dentura Dental Instruments comply with relevant national and international standards. All instruments meet the requirements of the EU Medical Device Directive, as indicated by the CE mark on the device and/or its packaging.