Stainless steel alloys – Even if the main characteristic of the stainless steel alloys used for the manufacturing of dental and surgical instruments is the very high resistance to corrosion, some problems such as loss of colour, corrosion, loss of physical/chemical properties, may arise if they are exposed, for longer than the recommended period of time, to some chemicals / chemical concentrations. Stainless steel instruments, trays and cassettes should not be exposed to a prolonged action of chloride solutions. Stainless steel instruments, trays and cassettes should never come into contact with the following chemicals: Chlorine solutions, Hypo chlorites , Ferric chlorite, Hydrochloric Acid, and lodine. Carbon stainless steel alloys (used for the tips of the cutting/sharpened instruments) Carbon stainless steel alloys are guaranteed to reach a very high hardness level and therefore perfectly sharpened and long lasting blade edges. However these particular alloys are more sensitive to the action of chemicals and the instruments made with this material require particular care:
All instruments must be disinfected, cleaned and sterilized prior to each use. Furthermore, disinfection, cleaning and sterilization process are also required before the first use of new, non-sterile instruments. Effective disinfection, cleaning process are indispensable to obtain proper instruments sterilization.
Disinfection: immediately after the use immerse the instruments into a decontaminating solution. Contaminated instruments must be disinfected as early as possible in order to assure the maximum safety to the dental office staff when handling contaminated instruments. Pay close attention to the correct dosages and exposures times.
Cleaning: instruments must be properly cleaned before sterilization. Cleaning can be made by hand, by ultrasonic apparatus or by washing machines.
Hand cleaning: wash the instruments with warm water and a non-corrosive,neutral detergent. For scrubbing use only stiff plastic brushes, do not use steel wool or metal wire brushes. Warning! Handle the contaminated instruments with care and use protective gloves to avoid the risk of injures.
Ultrasonic cleaning: use proper non-corrosive, neutral detergent contains a rust inhibitor solution. Immerse the instruments into the ultrasonic apparatus basin containing the washing solution and process them for the full recommended cycle time. Change the washing solution frequently, following the manufactured recommendations. After the hand or ultrasonic cleaning, carefully rinse the instruments (preferably using de-mineralized water) in order to remove all the residues of the washing solution.
Automatic Washers: strictly follow the manufacturer’s instruction and recommendation. consider the instructions of the detergent manufacture’s regarding concentration and soaking time. Completely disassemble instruments, if possible, before processing them. preferably place the instruments in a cassette or other tray system suitable for the instruments to prevent damages (avoid any contact between the instruments).
Do not overload the washer unit and be sure that all instruments are fully accessed. Remove the instruments from the washer unit only after the end of the program.
Drying: immediately after rinsing the instruments, these should be carefully dried with paper towels or better still with a blow of compressed air.
Checking: inspect the instruments for proper function and condition. Remove any rusted, stained or not properly functioning instruments (rust can be transmitted to other instruments or to the autoclave inner walls). Sharpen instruments if necessary and remove completely any residues from the sharpening process, such as metal residue or sharpening oil. Lubricate, with a paraffin based lubricant, all the instruments with hinges,locks and other moving parts. Remember that all the hinged instruments (pliers,forceps,scissor,needle holders etc.) should be sterilized in an open position. Never lock an instrument during the sterilization cycle because it may develop cracks in the hinge areas due to metal expansion caused by the heat. if you put the instruments in sterilizing envelopes carefully check their sealing.
Sterilization: Warning! The sterilization of the instruments does not replace the cleaning. The sterilization is a process that eliminates all the infective micro-organisms and should be performed after the proper cleaning of the instruments. The different sterilization methods can be commonly verified in the dental office by the “Spore Testing”.
Autoclave Sterilization: the sterilization process is accomplished by high pressure hot steam. Do not overload the autoclave and strictly follow the instructions and recommendations of the manufacture of the sterilizing apparatus.
Dry Heat: the sterilization process is accomplished by dry heat. Instruments should be absolutely dry before performing this sterilization process. Sterilizing envelopes cannot be used. Strictly follow the instructions and recommendations of the manufacturer of the sterilizing apparatus.
Cold Liquids: the sterilization process is accomplished by the action of the liquid solution classified as cold sterilizing agents. After the immersion into the sterilizing solutions the instruments should be properly rinsed using sterilized water, in any case, always strictly follow the instruction and recommendations of the manufacturer of the sterilizing solution used. Storage: any sterilized instruments should be preserved inside the sterilizing envelopes, containers, trays, cassettes etc, in a specific and protected location, with a constant temperature and humidity. Avoid unnecessary handling prior to next use.
The above mentioned suggestions regarding the processing of the dental instruments have the primary aim to preserve the patients and the dental office staff from the risk of cross contamination. At the same time the professionals should not forget that if such procedures are carried out with method and care, the instruments, manufactured with the utmost of care using selected raw materials, can properly perform their duty and last for a long time giving full satisfaction.
Every GDC instruments is manufactured and controlled with the utmost care. Any instruments, which, during its proper use, proves defective in material and/or workmanship, will either be replaced or repaired, at our discretion, without charge.
All GDC instruments can be obtained through your usual dealer or depot. If you do not have a distributor or dealer at hand please contact us phone or by fax and our customer care staff will be able to provide name/s of your nearest dealer/s.
GDC customer care staff will also be glad to provide assistance and information.
All GDC instruments are placed on the market exclusive under the GDC brand name. each and every instruments is marked and packed in conformity with the European directive 93/42 and bears code. Code number makes sure that you are effective purchasing the instruments you have selected and facilitates of the same instruments. Each instrument must be sterilized prior to use.
Each instruments is packed in a sealed envelop after passing our quality control. The envelop bears the wording GDC Fine Crafted Dental Precision Instruments.All instruments bear the CE marking.