What are the main problems related to sterilization of instruments?
• -cost • -time of sterilization • -increased workload for office staff • -damage to pliers Orthodontic instruments present special problems since they have large, difficult to clean hinge areas, sharp angles, cutting edges or pointed ends that can be potentially damaged by corrosion using autoclave sterilizers which use water vapors. Chemiclave (chemical vapors) sterilizers can be used with minimal corrosion and damage to cutting edges. Rapid Dry Heat (RDH) sterilizers which use no vapors have no potential risk of corroding instruments.
