I have heard that some orthodontists take orthodontic materials out of one patients mouth and then “recycle” the orthodontic materials to another patients mouth. How prevalent is “recycling” of orthodontic materials and is it dangerous?
Reuse of orthodontic products is a continuing problem. It has been estimated that as many as one US orthodontist in three “recycles” some of their materials from one patients mouth to the next patients mouth. Brackets are removed from one patients mouth, sent out for cleaning and then bonded in another patients mouth. At present there are no standards for the sterilization of brackets and no data to indicate whether “recycled” brackets are safe; a recent study of other dental materials and instruments indicates that some common sterilization procedures do not kill the AID’s virus. Further a study from the University of Iowa indicates that “recycled” brackets do not meet the manufactures original specifications. Still, there are no governmental guidelines which prevent the use of “recycled” orthodontic materials in the US. European standard xxx precludes the use of recycled orthodontic materials in Europe, however. • What can I do to prevent my child from getting orthodontic materials w
Related Questions
- I have heard that some orthodontists take orthodontic materials out of one patients mouth and then "recycle" the orthodontic materials to another patients mouth. How prevalent is "recycling" of orthodontic materials and is it dangerous?
- What can I do to prevent my child from getting orthodontic materials which have been previously in someone elses mouth?
- What companies does the Rebel Recycling Program use to recycle the collected materials?
