Can cassettes be used for sterilizing instruments?
The use of instrument cassettes facilitates instrument processing and can greatly enhance the organization of instruments. It also keeps all the instruments for a specific procedure together from the chairside procedure through cleaning, rinsing, drying, and sterilization. Following completion of dental treatment, instruments can be arranged in the cassette, transported to the instrument processing area, and placed in the ultrasonic cleaner as a unit. The cassette also can be rinsed and dried in this manner. In addition, a cassette system can reduce direct handling of potentially contaminated instruments before sterilization. Furthermore, instruments prearranged in the cassette will require less handling following sterilization. Different types of cassettes are available. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning, wrapping, and sterilizing the cassettes. Perforated cassettes are preferable, since completely solid containers will not allow steam or chemic
