Cleaning endodontic files in a washer disinfector

Abstract

• Washer disinfectors are becoming more commonly used in general dental practice.• This work was designed to see if washer disinfectors could cope with the diffi cult challenge of cleaning small instruments with a complex surface structure.• Although the files treated in the washer disinfector were generally clean, they were not totally free of organic debris.• This work reinforces the view that endodontic files should be single-use only. I N B R I E F RESEARCHAims The aim of this study was to compare the cleanliness of endodontic files that had been cleaned in a washer dis infector according to the file holding mechanism within the machine. Methodology Selected canals of extracted teeth were filed with new, unused files. One set of files (size 15 to 40) was used for each canal. A total of 192 files were used for cleaning and shaping. The files were divided into three groups. The first group was a control group containing 30 fi les, which were not cleaned in the washer disinfector. The second and the third groups were the experimental groups with 81 files in each group. These files were cleaned in the washer disinfector using different holding mechanisms (fi le holder or cleaning basket) for each group. The files were examined for visible debris under a light microscope at x45 magnifi ca tion. Results None of the 162 cleaned files were totally free of organic debris. Comparison of the debris scores in the two experimental groups showed that the files in the cleaning basket group were significantly cleaner than those in the fi le holder group. The files in both test groups were significantly cleaner than those in the control group. Conclusions En dodontic files cannot be totally cleaned using a washer disinfector alone. The instrument holding mechanism within the machine has a significant effect on the cleanliness of the files after one intensive cleaning cycle.

Cleaning of used rotary nickel‐titanium files in an ultrasonic bath by locally intensified acoustic cavitation

“…It has been reported that the type of file holder may affect the cleaning efficacy of washer–disinfectors (Assaf et al . ); the metal box used to hold the files in the present study was probably more suitable for this purpose than the holder used by Assaf et al . () as it allowed water spray to penetrate inside it and reach the complete cutting part of the instruments.…”

“…); the metal box used to hold the files in the present study was probably more suitable for this purpose than the holder used by Assaf et al . () as it allowed water spray to penetrate inside it and reach the complete cutting part of the instruments. Nevertheless, it is still likely that storage in a basket could have allowed for more effective cleaning (Assaf et al .…”

“…Automated cleaning of root canal files in a washer–disinfector may reduce handling of the files and therefore the risk of percutaneous injuries (Assaf et al . ). However, the present results revealed that the washer–disinfector was clearly less effective than ultrasonication especially in the cleaning of files collected after clinical use.…”

“…, Assaf et al . ). It has been reported that the type of file holder may affect the cleaning efficacy of washer–disinfectors (Assaf et al .…”

Influence of endodontic instrument-holder on sterilization efficacy. A pilot in-vitro study.

“…Some studies demonstrated a high degree of contamination of some instrument in their own original package 8 , meanwhile other studies demonstrated no presence of infectious agents, having made cultives of instrument directly taken from the original package 9 .…”