Instrument Care Instructions for all Dental Hand Instruments

Martensitic Steel Instruments

All Otto Leibinger instruments are made up of high quality martensitic steel, also known as surgical steel. Nevertheless, in case of exposure to the action of some particular chemical substances, or should these substances be used in wrong doses or exposures not be observed, instruments might be subject to loss of polish, corrosion or even to an alteration of their superficial physical properties.

Therefore, surgical steel instruments shouldn’t be exposed to the prolonged action of chloride solutions.

Moreover, instruments should never be exposed to the action of or kept in prolonged contact with chlorine solutions, hypochlorites, ferric chloride, hydrochloric acid an iodine.

Instruments with Tungsten Carbide inserts

Because of their hardness, tungsten carbide inserts are used in orthodontics to make cutting and wire nippers ends. By using these special material during tempering high HRC hardness degrees can be obtained, which allow to achieve perfect grinding and extraordinary life of instruments.

When compared with steel instruments, tungsten carbide (TC) instruments are more sensitive to chemicals and therefore require special care. TC instruments should never be exposed to any of the above mentioned chemicals substances, nor to any other corrosive chemical.

In order to insure perfect maintenance of TC instruments, you are recommended to follow three simple but important rules:

• Use solutions containing corrosion inhibitor for cleaning and sterilisation;
• Do not use ultrasonic devices for cleaning, as they might take off or splinter the TC inserts;
• After cleaning, dry the instruments thoroughly before submitting them to sterilisation

Joint and hinge instruments

All joint and hinge instruments should always be kept well lubricated. Always use special lubricants for surgical instruments. Joint and hinge instruments should always be sterilised in open position.

Manual or ultrasonic cleaning

All instruments are to be cleaned thoroughly before sterilisation. Ultrasonic cleaning may be performed manually, by washing the instruments with hot water and a special non corrosive cleansing agent. Use plastic or nylon brushes to remove organic residues.

Metal brushes or steel wool should NEVER be used, as they might permanently damage the instruments surface. Manual cleaning is effective if performed with outmost care. We also recommend to use chemical cleansing agent containing rust inhibitor in a concentration which wouldn’t alter the surgical instruments chemical-physical properties. To avoid injury while handling sharp instruments, you are reminded to handle instrument with care.

Ultrasonic cleaning is safer and more effective than manual cleaning for the operator, and it is also time saving.

You can use suitable neutral non corrosive cleansing agent (better if they contain a corrosion inhibitor). Plunge the instruments into cleansing liquid an leave them for the time recommended by the ultrasonic device manufacturer. Cleansing solutions should be replaced at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer, after ultrasonic cleaning, rinse the instruments thoroughly to remove the cleansing solution. Immediately after rinsing and before sterilisation, inspect and dry the instruments thoroughly.

Sterilisation

Sterilisation is a procedure which removes all pathogenic and non pathogenic micro-organisms; it should be performed with outmost care. Remember that instruments sterilisation cannot substitute cleaning. These are the most common and effective sterilisation techniques:

• CHEMICLAVE: instruments are treated with high pressure, with the help of chemical steams. Instruments must be dried before sterilisation, Recommended standard times*: 20 minutes, at a temperature of 130°C /266°F). Sterilising agent: special chemical solutions.
• AUTOCLAVE: instruments are treated with high pressure water steam. Recommended standard times*: 20 minutes, at a temperature of 134°C (286°F). Sterilising agent: distilled water.
• DRY STERILISATION: instrument sterilisation takes place by means of hot air. Instruments must be dried before sterilisation. Recommended standard times*: from 60 to 90 minutes, at a temperature of 150°/170°C (300°/3520°F). At present, this sterilisation technique is not recommended, as it doesn’t guarantee reliable sterilisation and gradually causes damages such as surface blackening, loss of polish and, especially for cutting instruments, dullness.

*Recommended times and temperatures may vary according to the nature and loading capacity of your equipment and do not take heating times into consideration. Always comply with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The above mentioned recommendations concerning maintenance, cleaning and sterilisation of instruments aim at the safeguard of both, patient and operator. Remember that if these procedures are carried out correctly, this will enhance the quality of Otto Leibinger instruments, as well as prolong their effectiveness over time.