Dental Handpiece Sterilization Frequency: How often should handpieces be sterilized?

Studies showed that handpieces should be sterilized between patient uses with steam because they can hold contagious materials. 

This sterilization should not be only on the exterior surfaces but also on the interior surfaces that can also keep blood residue and saliva.

Hence, it is important to show the best practices, sterilize handpieces frequently, and keep up to date with the latest innovation in this industry.

In this article, we answer the question of how frequently a dental handpiece should be sterilized, why it should be sterilized frequently, what the best practices are, and what the essential tools for sterilization are.

---

How Often Should a Dental Handpiece Be Sterilized?

A dental handpiece should be sterilized between every use because it can hold germs and microorganisms that can transfer from one patient to another.

Those dental tools can not be cleaned by basic cleaning strategies such as wiping the dental tools or immersing them with disinfectant (alcohol, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, etc.), which can damage the turbine, bearing, and the other internal parts of a handpiece; washing the tools with tap water that can damage the tools and not clean the tools properly due to the minerals that exist in tap water; and the last worst cleaning strategy is using High-tool high-temperature drying devices that are not for dental uses, such as hair dryers or ovens.

Instead of those basic cleaning strategies that damage the tools and do not sterilize them properly, use more effective methods.

 The APOLLO 23B Dental Autoclave, which has remote management and data recording for sterilization, is the best to track the sterilization cycle.

And that means the start and the end of the sterilizing cycle are recorded, and that makes you easily track the process and make sure that the tools have been sterilized successfully.

---

Why Should Dental Handpieces Be Sterilized Frequently?

Dental handpieces should be sterilized frequently to get rid of a patient’s blood and saliva that can infect the other patient with incurable diseases.

Those residues get stuck on the internal and external parts of a device and should be autoclaved to make sure the tools are clean and sterilized. 

Before autoclaving, the medical equipment is packaged in special bags and then sealed using a FOMOS sealing machine to ensure the tools are protected from external contaminants such as dust.

The bags come with a strip that changes color after the autoclave is sterilized and that helps to make sure the sterilization process is done perfectly.

Yet you should know some handpieces are independent of air- and water lines (e.g., cordless devices). 

For these items, CDC recommends that DHCP follow current FDA regulations by utilising only FDA-cleared devices and follow the validated manufacturer’s reprocessing instructions (cleaning, lubricating, and/or sterilizing).

---

Best Practices for Efficient Sterilization

It is important to sterilize tools in the safest and the smartest way. Hence, here is a list of the best practices for efficient sterilization.

1. Do not put too much equipment in one bag because this reduces the quality and efficiency of the sterilization process.

For small tools, put from one to three tools in one bag, and for handpieces, only put one handpiece in one bag.

2. Arranging the tools in the sterilization pouch should be done before the sterilization process, and the tools should be away from the seal area. Also, tools should not be too close to each other, and there should be a 1-inch (or 2.5 cm) space between each tool.

3. Get rid of tools or equipment that are designed for single use only because these instruments only serve their purpose once to prevent cross-contamination under any circumstances and should never be cleaned or reused again.

4. Record sterilization data and be sure to consistently record the date of instrument sterilization, including the name of the person performing the sterilization. 

Also, record the time, temperature, and results obtained, whether through color change of the strip or other biological tests.

Learn about How to sterilize a high speed handpiece?

---

---

Essential tools for sterilization

It is important to follow innovations and use tools that ease the sterilization process. Hence, here is a list of products that will help in sterilizing dental handpieces in an efficient way.

1- KAVO Oil Lubrication Spray

Lubricating the handpiece before autoclaving is essential to protect the device from damage. Hence, the KaVo QUATTROcare Plus Spray 2140 Dental Handpiece Lubricant is a premium maintenance spray designed to clean, lubricate, and purge dental instruments, such as high-speed and low-speed handpieces, heads, and air motors.

2- FOMOS water distiller

The autoclave depends on water to produce steam, and it is important to make sure that this water is not filled with mineral salts and impurities that can damage the device.

The FOMOS water distiller can solve this problem by distilling your own water in a very easy way.

This device takes only one hour to produce one liter of purer steam water by only filling the boil chamber and pressing the start button; the distiller will automatically shut off at the end of the cycle. It’s very easy and convenient.

3- Dental Ultrasonic Cleaner Machine

Before sterilizing the dental handpiece, it should be cleaned from blood residues, saliva, and other pollutants.

The dental ultrasonic cleaner machine is the perfect solution for a quick and easy cleaning process.

Its main features are:

• Continuously adjustable cleaning time (2 ~ 30 minutes)
• Continuously adjustable cleaning temperature (20°C ~ 80°C)
• Automatically stop heating when there is no water.
• 3-color LED display, 4 keys control panel,
• 6 timer settings and 3 temperature settings make the cleaning be perfect and convenient.

4- DAC Universal Sirona Handpieces washing

It is a 2-in-1 device that lubricates and sterilizes dental handpieces automatically just by pressing one button. It removes saliva and blood residues from external and internal parts of the dental tools then it lubricates and sterilizes the tools in an effective way.

Why choose DAC Universal?

• Fully automatic reprocessing
• Ease of use
• Cost-effective and environmentally friendly reprocessing
• Fully flexibility
• Warranty: available

FQAs:

1- How to sterilise handpieces?

After cleaning the handpiece and ensuring good lubrication, you sterilize it by putting it in an autoclave at 300-375 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended time (12-150 minutes).

2- How long does it take to sterilize dental instruments?

The typical sterilization time for dental instruments in an autoclave is around 30 minutes.

3- Should dental handpieces always be heat sterilized between patients?

Yes, according to the DHA, dental handpieces should always be heat sterilized between patients.

4- Can a handpiece be autoclaved?

Yes, most dental handpieces can be autoclaved, but it depends on the type and manufacturer’s instructions.

---

Conclusion

Sterilizing dental handpieces can be done using many tools and methods that can ease the process.

The most common way to sterilize tools is autoclaving, which uses an autoclave that depends on heat and pressure to kill microorganisms.

Some of the best practices are not putting too much equipment in one bag and arranging tools before sterilizing them.

It is important to sterilize equipment in the best and easiest ways to consume time and ensure a standard and perfect sterilization.