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Why Dry Heat
Sterilizers?
Are dry heat
sterilizers as
effective as other
sterilizers?
Yes, dry heat
sterilizers are FDA
registered and must
be validated using
the same or similar
tests as other
sterilizers
resulting in a SAL
of 10-6 (sterility
assurance level
using B. atrophaeus).
Dry heat sterilizers
that comply with
ANSI/AAMI ST40 and
ANSI/AAMI ST50
standards should be
used.
What are the main
advantages of using
a dry heat
sterilizer?
The first
advantage of using
this type of
sterilizer is metal
tools and
instruments will not
rust, allowing these
tools and
instruments to last
much longer. Other
advantages include
less pitting and
dulling of sharps,
and no drying time
is required.
What are some of
the items that can
be sterilized?
Dry heat
sterilizers are
commonly used with
dental instruments,
burs, reusable
needles, glass
syringes, medical
instruments,
glassware, and
heat-stable powders
and oils. For any
given item, the
manufacturer's
written instructions
should be consulted
to verify that dry
heat sterilization
is appropriate.
What are the time
and temperature
settings for the
Steri-Dent Model 200
and Model 300 Units?
The recommended
time is 60 minutes
once the sterilizer
has been preheated.
The operating
temperature is 3200
F (1600 C). These
are outlined in the
operating manual.
What is a rapid
heat sterilizer?
The COX rapid
heat sterilizer is a
dry heat sterilizer
that incorporates a
blower within the
sterilizing chamber
to move hot air
across the tools or
instruments. This
allows for a much
shorter sterilizing
cycle.
What are the time
and temperature
settings for the COX
rapid heat
sterilizer?
The COX
sterilizer operates
at 3750 f (1900 C)
for 6, 8, or 12
minute cycles
depending upon the
load. A 6 minute
cycle is used for
unwrapped tools and
instruments, an 8
minute cycle for
handpieces, and a 12
minute cycle for
wrapped tools and
instruments and also
for tools and
instruments in
cassettes.
When using
sterilizer bags, are
special sterilizer
bags needed for dry
heat?
Yes, sterilizer
bags designed for
dry heat need to be
used with dry heat
or rapid heat
sterilizers.
Autoclave bags are
not designed for
this application and
should not be use. |
