How to care for stainless steel dental instruments

A well-made instrument can last for many years. How long it actually lasts depends mostly on what happens to it between patients. Most of the stains, stiff joints and blunt tips we are asked about come from a few small habits in cleaning and sterilisation, and they are easy to fix.

Most of our instruments are made from AISI 420 surgical-grade stainless steel. They are cleaned ultrasonically and passivated in our workshop before packing. Passivation strengthens the thin protective layer on the surface of the steel. Good care keeps that layer intact.

Clean them as soon as you can

Blood, saliva and cement are much harder to remove once they dry. Dried residue also traps moisture against the steel, and that is where spots and pitting start.

• Rinse or wipe instruments straight after use. If you can't clean them at once, keep them moist with a proper pre-soak or enzymatic spray. Don't leave them sitting dry on a tray.
• Never soak instruments in saline, bleach or other chloride solutions. Chlorides attack stainless steel and cause pitting.
• Use a soft nylon brush. Steel wool and wire brushes scratch the surface and remove the protective layer.

Use the ultrasonic cleaner the right way

An ultrasonic bath reaches serrations, box joints and ratchets that a brush can't.

• Open hinged instruments such as forceps, needle holders and scissors so the solution reaches the joint.
• Don't overload the basket. Instruments that touch each other clean poorly and can scratch each other.
• Use a detergent made for instruments, at the dilution its maker recommends. Change the solution regularly. A dirty bath puts debris back onto the steel.
• Keep stainless steel apart from chrome-plated or carbon-steel items in the same cycle. Rust from a damaged item can transfer onto good steel.

Rinse and dry thoroughly

Tap water leaves minerals behind, and those show up as spots after the autoclave.

• Rinse with distilled or demineralised water if you can.
• Dry every instrument fully before packing, paying attention to joints and hollow parts.

Lubricate the joints

Instruments with joints, such as forceps, needle holders and pliers, should open and close smoothly. After cleaning and before sterilisation, apply a water-soluble instrument lubricant to the joints and work them open and closed a few times. Don't use machine oil or silicone spray. They block steam during sterilisation and collect dirt.

Sterilise with care

• Follow the operating instructions of your autoclave and packaging.
• Sterilise hinged instruments slightly open or on the first ratchet. This lets steam reach the joint and avoids stress cracks.
• Let the load dry completely before opening the pouches. Wet packs are a common cause of stains.

Inspect before every use

Look closely at tips, serrations and joints. Retire or repair an instrument if you see:

• cracks at the joint or along the shank
• tips that are bent, misaligned or no longer meet
• rust or pitting that doesn't come off with cleaning
• a needle holder that no longer grips a needle firmly

Brown or rainbow-coloured stains are usually deposits from water, detergent or the sterilisation process, not rust. They often come off with an instrument stain remover.

Our warranty

Each of our instruments has a 1-year warranty. Each one is packed individually and marked with its catalogue number, so you can always reorder the same pattern. If something isn't right, send us a photo on WhatsApp and we will help.