Choosing a Sterilizer for a Dental Office or Lab

A dental office and a laboratory both rely on a steam sterilizer, but they use it differently. A dental office runs many small loads of instruments and handpieces through the day. A laboratory may sterilize glassware, media or waste. This guide covers what each setting should check, the equipment that goes with the sterilizer, and the questions to ask before buying. For a general overview of tabletop autoclaves, see Choosing an Autoclave or Sterilizer for a Clinic or Lab.

The dental instrument cycle

In the United States, the reference for dental offices is CDC's dental infection prevention guidance. Its sterilization and disinfection summary sets out a sequence that shapes what equipment you need:

1. Clean first. CDC says instruments should always be cleaned before disinfection or sterilization, and that automated cleaning equipment, such as an ultrasonic cleaner or washer-disinfector, should be used to improve cleaning and reduce staff exposure to blood.
2. Inspect and package. Dried instruments are inspected, then wrapped, packaged or placed in cassettes before heat sterilization.
3. Label. Packages are labelled with the sterilizer used, the cycle or load number, the date and, if applicable, an expiration date.
4. Sterilize and monitor. The sterilizer is monitored with mechanical, chemical and biological indicators.

So a dental sterilization area usually needs more than the sterilizer: an ultrasonic cleaner, packaging supplies, indicators and often an incubator for biological indicators.

Handpieces

CDC's guidance on dental handpieces says handpieces, including low-speed motors and reusable prophy angles, should be cleaned and heat sterilized between patients, following the manufacturer's validated reprocessing instructions. Surface disinfection or immersion in germicides is not acceptable.

That affects sterilizer choice. Count how many handpieces you reprocess in a day and how quickly they must be ready again. Cassette autoclaves such as the SciCan STATIM 2000 are often chosen for handpieces and small loads that are needed again quickly, while chamber autoclaves handle larger mixed loads. Many offices run one of each.

Monitoring and records

CDC's sterilization monitoring guidance for dental settings says:

• Use a combination of mechanical, chemical and biological monitoring.
• Use a spore test at least weekly, with a matching control from the same lot.
• Use a spore test for every load containing an implantable device.

When comparing sterilizers, check how the unit records each cycle: a built-in printer, data storage or a port for a logger. Automatic models such as the Tuttnauer EZ10 with printer print cycle records. If you read biological indicators in house, you need an incubator matched to your indicators, such as the 3M Attest biological indicator incubator, which runs at 56 °C for 3M Attest steam indicators.

Chamber size for a dental office

Work out your daily load: the number of cassettes and pouches per cycle, the length of your longest instrument and your busiest hour. High-capacity tabletop units such as the Pelton & Crane MagnaClave and the DeltaClave 600T suit busier practices, while smaller chambers suit a single operatory. Check that your cassettes fit the trays and that the unit dries a full load properly, since wet packs cannot be stored as sterile.

Ultrasonic cleaners

Ultrasonic cleaners are chosen by tank size and the size of your instrument cassettes. The Midmark M250 SoniClean has a 2.5 gal (9.5 L) tank, a 1 to 60 minute timer and a built-in drain. Check that the cassettes you use fit the tank and basket, and follow the cleaner manufacturer's instructions on cleaning solutions. Our dental sterilization and sterilizer accessories pages list cleaners and chamber cleaning products.

Sterilizers for the laboratory

Laboratory loads are different. Before choosing a sterilizer for a lab, list:

• Load types. Glassware, instruments, media, liquids or waste. Liquids need a cycle the manufacturer lists for liquids, so check the cycle list for each model.
• Container sizes. The largest flask or container sets the chamber size and tray spacing.
• Volume per day. Several small cycles or one large one.
• Records. Many labs need a printed or electronic record of each cycle, and your quality system may set what must be kept.
• Validation. Your biosafety or quality officer may set how cycles are validated and monitored for your loads. Follow your institution's rules.

Larger tabletop units such as the Tuttnauer 3870EAP, with a 15 x 27.5 in chamber and a printer, suit labs with bigger loads. Smaller manual units such as the Tuttnauer 2340M suit occasional use. Tabletop autoclaves are not designed for every lab load, so confirm the manufacturer's intended uses before ordering.

Utilities

Check the electrical supply first: smaller tabletop units often run on a standard outlet, while larger chambers may need a higher-voltage dedicated circuit. Most tabletop units use distilled or demineralized water, which is a running cost. Leave space around the unit for air flow and door opening, and a nearby sink and drain make filling and draining easier.

Buying refurbished

Refurbished sterilizers are common in dental offices and labs. Ask what checks were done and whether a cycle record is available, which parts were replaced (door gaskets, heating elements, valves, printer), whether the model is still supported for parts, which trays and racks are included, and what warranty terms apply. Our refurbished equipment checklist has a longer list.

Preparing your request

Send your typical loads, longest instrument or largest container, cycles needed, handpiece volume, record-keeping needs, power supply and delivery location. Browse steam autoclaves and dental sterilization equipment, then use our quote request form. Pricing, configuration, availability and shipping are confirmed in the quotation.