This article includes information on sterilization of your equipment.
Mirror Tip Sterilization
Dandy provides five mirror tips with every onboarding kit. The below article outlines the best practices for sterilizing mirror tips and scanner components.
Sterilization Standards for Mirror Tips
Mirror tips last for 150 autoclave cycles.
Mirror tips should be pouched during an autoclave cycle.
Use the autoclave setting for plastic or regular.
No other instruments should be autoclaved at the same time, as this will cause premature failure of the mirror tip.
Nothing should be bagged or on the same shelf as the mirror tips -\alternate materials can change the temperature more rapidly and damage tips.
Mirror tips should be sterilized after each patient use.
Ultrasonic cleaner should NOT be used with mirror tips.
Autoclave Settings for Mirror Tip Sterilization
134° C (273° F) for 3 minutes with a 10-minute dry cycle.
121° C (250° F) for 15 minutes with a 10-minute dry cycle.
Statim 2000 G4: 135° C (275° F) for 10 minutes.
Statim 5000 G4: 132° C (270° F) for 6 minutes.
Mirror Tip Approved Cleaning Methods
Autoclaving per the above instructions.
Diluted dish soap and a nylon bristle toothbrush. These steps can be followed before autoclaving to ensure proper sanitization and a spot free mirror.
The Mirror Tip Should Never be Cleaned With:
- Bioblast
- Biosurf (This can etch the mirror and glass and delaminate the plastics)
- Birex
- Cavicide
- CaviWipes
- Chemclave
- Ethylene Oxide Gas
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Lysol Wipes
- Maxispray
- Opticide
- Oxivir
- PDI Sani-Cloths
- Sani Cloth
- Sklar Wipes
- Ultrasonic (pre-autoclave)
- Volo Wipes
Mirror Inside of Mirror Tip
The autoclaving process will not remove any smudges or marks on the mirror. This could cause issues with the scanning and calibration. To clean obstructions on the mirror, use a Q tip brand Q tip and isopropyl alcohol to spot-clean the mirror. The cotton applicators often found in dental offices should not be used as the alcohol will dissolve the glue securing the cotton tip and can transfer more debris onto the mirror. Alternatively, the entire mirror tip can be cleaned using distilled anti-bacterial soap and a nylon bristle toothbrush.
The plastic housing of the mirror tip should not be cleaned with alcohol, only the mirror inside the tip can be spot cleaned.
Scanner Wand & Base Approved Cleaning Methods
- Alcohol
- Optim Wipes
- Hydrogen Peroxide
Protective Tips
The protective tip should not be autoclaved. This will damage the protective tip. The protective tip should only be used to protect the lens in the neck of the scanner during transport or longer term storage.
Scanner Lens
The scanner lens is located in the neck of the scanner wand and can be accessed when the mirror tip is removed. The scanner lens should only be cleaned if there are visible smudges or debris present. Any smudges or marks on the scanner lens will create issues with calibration and scanning.
- A microfiber eyeglass cloth can be used if there are visible smudges or debris on the lens. The lens should not be regularly cleaned if there are no visible obstructions. Minimal pressure should be applied when cleaning the lens.
- If you need to sterilize the lens (this should only be done if there is a visible obstruction on the lens), use 70% or higher isopropyl alcohol and a Q tip brand Q tip. The standard cotton swab found in most dental offices should not be used; the glue holding the cotton in place will be dissolved by the alcohol and can transfer onto the lens. Minimal pressure should be applied when cleaning the lens.
- The mirror tip provides protection to the lens, meaning sterilization does not need to be done between patients.
Calibration Target
- You should never under and circumstance touch the optical components of the color calibration target. Clean only with filtered air at low pressure. If the practice has sterilized or cleaned their calibration target it may need to be replaced.
Body and Base of the Scanner
After patient treatment, you can clean the remaining parts of the scanner, including the body and the base, using a soft cloth and a mild detergent.
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Apply the disinfection solution to a soft, lint-free, non-abrasive cloth until it is damp only.
- Recommended disinfection solution: Denatured alcohol (IPA – Isopropyl Alcohol or Ethanol) – typically 60-70% Vol.
- Wipe the surfaces with a damp cloth.
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