Sterilization and Disinfection in Orthodontics: A Literature Review

Microorganisms are ubiquitous in nature and are responsible for causing infection, contamination and decay. The practicing dentists in general and orthodontists specifically, along with their personnel are routinely at risk of being exposed to patients with blood borne diseases like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C and air borne diseases like Tuberculosis. These infections can directly be transmitted by oral fluids, blood, contaminated instruments and surfaces and through the respiratory system. Thus, preventing the spread of infection and cross-contamination in this field is absolutely important. The older strains of microorganisms rapidly develop resistance, whereas the newer strains evolve equally fast, thus, providing a constant challenge to orthodontists. Sterilization is defined as “the process by which an article, surface or a medium is freed of all the living organisms either in vegetative or spore form. This article reviews the various sterilization techniques pertinent to the orthodontic armamentarium and set-up for an effective orthodontic practice.