ASEPSIS IN

ORTHODONTICS
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INDIAN DENTAL
ACADEMY
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INTRODUCTION :
Re-emphasis of infection control in dentistry that
occurred in mid 1980s has now resulted in impressive
approaches to prevention of disease spread in office
Because of repeated exposure to micro-organisms in
blood and saliva, incidence of certain infectious
disease has been significantly higher among dental
professionals than observed for general population.
Hepatitis B, TB, herpes simplex viral infections are
well recognized and indicate need for increased
understanding of modes of disease transmission and
infection control procedures by dental care providers.
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HISTORY
Louis Pasteur (1822-95) was the first
scientist to show clearly that bacteria
and moulds never generate
spontaneously and that no growth of any
kind occurs in sterilized media when
precautions are taken to separate
organisms from the surrounding air
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Joseph Lister (1827-1912) did most
of his pioneer work on antiseptic
methods in surgery
Robert Koch (1843-1910) was the
first to make photomicrographs of
stained smears, and in addition he
pioneered methods of growing bacteria
on agar media.
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Development of microbiology in
dentistry :
In recent years there has been an upsuge of
interest in the microbiological aspects of
dentistry
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1683 was first
described microorganisms in human mouth
Willoughby Dayton Miller in 1890 advanced
the theory of the bacterial fermentation of
sugar as the cause of dental caries

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STERILIZATION METHODS
Sterilization is defined as the
destruction or removal of all forms of
life, with particular reference to
microbial organisms
Disinfection refers only to the
inhibition or destruction of pathogens

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All critical and semicritical dental
instruments that are heat stable should
be sterilized routinely between uses by
steam under pressure (autoclaving), dry
heat, or chemical vapor, following the
instructions of the manufacturers of
the instruments and the sterilizers.
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Physical methods of sterilization
Steam sterilization
Dry heat
Rapid heat transfer sterilization
Unsaturated chemical vapor
sterilization
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CHEMICAL STERILANTS
ETHYLENE OXIDE
GLUTARALDEHYDE
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CHEMICAL DISINFECTANTS
ALCOHOLS
IODINE & IODOPHORS
CHLORINE AGENTS
PHENOL DERIVATIVES
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INSTRUMENT PROCESSING
HOLDING(PRE SOAKING)
PRE CLEANING
PACKAGING
STERILIZATION
STERILIZATION MONITORING
HANDLING PROCESSED
INSTRUMENTS
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PERSONAL BARRIER
TECHNIQUES
GLOVES
MASKS
EYE GLASS
CLOTHING
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SURFACE ASEPSIS
Surface covers for
Light handles
Chair switches
Head rests
Handpiece hoses
Unit controls
Air water syringe controls

Use of disposables

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STERILIZATION OF ORTHODONTIC
MATERIALS AND INSTRUMENTS
Dental impression:Iodophor or 0.5%
sodium hypochlorite.
Dental cast: disinfected with 1:10 dil of
sodium hypochlorite
Plastic imp tray: chemical
sterilization/disinfection
Orthodontic bands, arch wires,
brackets, pliers : autoclave, chemical
vapour and ethylene oxide.


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FUTURE METHODS OF
STERILIZATION
Microwaves: It has major limitations
for sterilizing metal items by either
damaging machine or not reaching all
sides of instruments.
UV light: It is not highly effective
against RNA viruses such as HIV and
bacterial spores. Incomplete exposures
of all surfaces and poor penetration of
oil and debris.
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FUTURE MODIFICATION FOR
DENTAL EQUIPMENT
Decorative seams and bulk storage bins are
rapidly disappearing from dental office.
Molded seamless components are being
designed and manufactured.
An absolute minimum of nooks and corners
will be incorporated onto future design of
equipments.
Use of foot controls for patient chairs and
dynamic instruments so further hand controls
will decline.

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Future will provide a substantial
increase in use of custom fitted barrier
materials for existing and future
equipments.
Use of disposable equipments, drapes,
and gowns will continue to increase.
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CONCLUSION
Technologic advances have facilitated the
evolution of infection over the past 10 20
years.
Dental practitioners are challenged to
implement effective infection control
measures during all dental procedures.
The decade of 2000s may well become the
period of meeting the formidable
microbiological and regulatory challenges of
1980s.
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thank you

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