Feasibility of reusing orthodontic bands after trial in the mouth. Control of cross infection.

• Type: Summary of Presentation in an International Conference
• Date: 2012

Authors

Helena Rodrigues (Author) FMDUP; Maria João Ponces (Author) FMDUP; M. Henriques (Author) Other; Pedro Mesquita (Author) FMDUP; Jorge Dias Lopes (Author) FMDUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: 88th Congress of European Orthodontic Society

Initial page: 215

EOS 2012 Spain

Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 18 a 23 de Junho de 2012

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Health sciences

FOS: Medical and Health sciences

Other information

Abstract (EN): Given the scarcity of studies in the area of cross-infection in Portugal, we carried out a research study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of two methods of sterilization and disinfection of orthodontic bands, after being tested in the mouth. Simultaneously, we tested the protocol of the Department of Orthodontics of the Dental Faculty of Oporto University (DO-DFOU). 35 orthodontic bands were placed in the first molars of 10 individuals. They were removed from the mouth and 5 were separated for the positive control. The remaining 30 bands were immersed in an ultrasonic bath with disinfectant Elusept® for 15 minutes. Then the 30 bands were divided into 3 groups. The first served as control of disinfection, the second and the third were subjected to an additional sterilization with dry heat (210° C, 30 min) and steam (121° C, 33 min) respectively. The third group simulated the protocol of the DO-DFOU. Finally, each band was placed in a phosphate buffer saline solution to remove adherent microorganisms and the resulting suspension was inoculated in a nutrient agar. The number of colony-forming units (CFU) was observed in each plate after 4 days of incubation at 37ºC. In order to relate the results and meet the international reality, we performed a literature search in the Pubmed database using the keywords: cross infection control, orthodontics, orthodontic bands, decontamination, sterilization, disinfection. We selected 25 articles and 2 books. As expected the samples used as positive controls presented a high number of CFUs. The samples submitted to the different treatments did not any CFU, pointing out their efficacy. Considering the methodology used, based on the study of bacterial life forms and that all guidelines for decontamination have been strictly applied, all decontamination methods have proved to be effective and the DO-DFOU protocol is safe. Therefore the reuse of orthodontic bands can be applied taking into account the guidelines for decontamination.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

Notes: 88th Congress EOS 2012 Abstract Book. ISBN: 84-695-3791-1