Instrument Examination and Care

Cleaning instruments, provides a good opportunity to examine, replace or remove damaged instruments; lubricate items such as handpieces; and otherwise prepare instruments for sterilization. Instruments must be dry before packaging - if drying was not part of the cleaning process, time must be taken to dry the instruments completely. High-quality metal dental cassettes specially designed to withstand high temperatures are preferred for use with steam and chemical vapor sterilizers. Most sterilizers on the market today offer a cassette rack, which helps to prevent over-loading in the sterilizer, thereby reducing the risk of ineffective sterilization and ultimately of infection and cross-infection.