Abstract
Background. The authors conducted an in vivo study to determine if low-speed handpiece motors can become contaminated with oral flora when used with prophylaxis angles. Methods. This crossover study involved 20 subjects, two types of handpieces and three prophylaxis angles. The authors used each handpiece/prophylaxis angle system to polish teeth. They then collected samples, spiral-plated the specimens and incubated them at 37°C anaerobically and aerobically (with 5 percent carbon dioxide). After incubation, the authors examined the plates for the presence of bacterial colonies. Results. At least 75 percent of the handpiece/prophylaxis angle systems used on the 20 subjects had bacterial contamination for at least one cultured area. Of the 420 specimens, 258 (61.4 percent) produced bacterial growth. Contamination varied from zero to 6,300 colony-forming units per milliliter. Conclusions. These data suggest that the internal surfaces of low-speed handpieces can become microbially contaminated during use with prophylaxis angles. Clinical Implications. Unless low-speed handpieces are sterilized properly after each use, they pose a risk for crossinfection.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1360-1365 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of the American Dental Association |
| Volume | 138 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| State | Published - Oct 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Contamination
- Handpiece
- Infection control
- Prophylaxis angle
- Sterilization
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dentistry(all)
Cite this
The in vivo contamination of air-driven low-speed handpieces with prophylaxis angles. / Herd, Sarah; Chin, Judith; Palenik, Charles John; Ofner, Susan.
In: Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol. 138, No. 10, 10.2007, p. 1360-1365.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The in vivo contamination of air-driven low-speed handpieces with prophylaxis angles
AU - Herd, Sarah
AU - Chin, Judith
AU - Palenik, Charles John
AU - Ofner, Susan
PY - 2007/10
Y1 - 2007/10
N2 - Background. The authors conducted an in vivo study to determine if low-speed handpiece motors can become contaminated with oral flora when used with prophylaxis angles. Methods. This crossover study involved 20 subjects, two types of handpieces and three prophylaxis angles. The authors used each handpiece/prophylaxis angle system to polish teeth. They then collected samples, spiral-plated the specimens and incubated them at 37°C anaerobically and aerobically (with 5 percent carbon dioxide). After incubation, the authors examined the plates for the presence of bacterial colonies. Results. At least 75 percent of the handpiece/prophylaxis angle systems used on the 20 subjects had bacterial contamination for at least one cultured area. Of the 420 specimens, 258 (61.4 percent) produced bacterial growth. Contamination varied from zero to 6,300 colony-forming units per milliliter. Conclusions. These data suggest that the internal surfaces of low-speed handpieces can become microbially contaminated during use with prophylaxis angles. Clinical Implications. Unless low-speed handpieces are sterilized properly after each use, they pose a risk for crossinfection.
AB - Background. The authors conducted an in vivo study to determine if low-speed handpiece motors can become contaminated with oral flora when used with prophylaxis angles. Methods. This crossover study involved 20 subjects, two types of handpieces and three prophylaxis angles. The authors used each handpiece/prophylaxis angle system to polish teeth. They then collected samples, spiral-plated the specimens and incubated them at 37°C anaerobically and aerobically (with 5 percent carbon dioxide). After incubation, the authors examined the plates for the presence of bacterial colonies. Results. At least 75 percent of the handpiece/prophylaxis angle systems used on the 20 subjects had bacterial contamination for at least one cultured area. Of the 420 specimens, 258 (61.4 percent) produced bacterial growth. Contamination varied from zero to 6,300 colony-forming units per milliliter. Conclusions. These data suggest that the internal surfaces of low-speed handpieces can become microbially contaminated during use with prophylaxis angles. Clinical Implications. Unless low-speed handpieces are sterilized properly after each use, they pose a risk for crossinfection.
KW - Contamination
KW - Handpiece
KW - Infection control
KW - Prophylaxis angle
KW - Sterilization
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=35548940241&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=35548940241&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 17908851
AN - SCOPUS:35548940241
VL - 138
SP - 1360
EP - 1365
JO - Journal of the American Dental Association
JF - Journal of the American Dental Association
SN - 0002-8177
IS - 10
ER -