FAQ
Dental
Ophthalmology
Salons & Spas
Body Art


Dental

Are dry heat sterilizers as effective as other sterilizers?
Yes, dry heat sterilizers are FDA registered and must be validated using the same or similar tests as other sterilizers resulting in a SAL of 10-6 (sterility assurance level using B. atrophaeus). Dry heat sterilizers that comply with ANSI/AAMI ST40 and ANSI/AAMI ST50 standards should be used.

What are the main advantages of using a dry heat sterilizer?
The first advantage of using this type of sterilizer is metal tools and instruments will not rust, allowing these tools and instruments to last much longer. Other advantages include less pitting and dulling of sharps, and no drying time is required.

What are some of the items that can be sterilized?
Dry heat sterilizers are commonly used with dental instruments, burrs, reusable needles, glass syringes, medical instruments, glassware, and heat-stable powders and oils. For any given item, the manufacturers written instructions should be consulted to verify that dry heat sterilization is appropriate.

What are the time and temperature settings for the Steri-Dent Model 200 and Model 300 units?
The recommended time is 60 minutes once the sterilizer has been preheated. The operating temperature is 320°F (160°C). These are outlined in the operating manual.

What is a rapid heat sterilizer?
The COX rapid heat sterilizer is a dry heat sterilizer that incorporates a blower within the sterilizing chamber to move hot air across the tools or instruments. This allows for a much shorter sterilizing cycle.

What are the time and temperature settings for the COX rapid heat sterilizer?
The COX sterilizer operates at 375°F (190°C) for 6, 8, or 12 minute cycles depending upon the load. A 6 minute cycle is used for unwrapped tools and instruments, an 8 minute cycle for hand pieces, and a 12 minute cycle for wrapped tools and instruments and also for tools and instruments in cassettes.

When using sterilizer bags, are special sterilizer bags needed for dry heat?
Yes, sterilizer bags designed for dry heat need to be used with dry heat or rapid heat sterilizers. Autoclave bags are not designed for this application and should not be used.

Ophthalmology

Are dry heat sterilizers suitable for ophthalmology?\r\n
Yes, dry heat sterilizers are FDA registered and are being used by several ophthalmology clinics to sterilizer delicate instruments.

What are the main advantages of using a dry heat sterilizer?
The first advantage of using this type of sterilizer is no water or water reservoir is used, eliminating the potential for endotoxin to build up in the sterilizer. Other advantages include less pitting and dulling of sharps, and no drying time is required.

What is the difference between a rapid heat sterilizer and a dry heat sterilizer?
Rapid heat sterilizers use an internal blower to circulate hot air (375°F / 190°C) throughout the sterilizer chamber allowing the sterilization cycle to be as low as 6 minutes. Dry heat sterilizers use convection in the sterilizing chamber and operate at 320°F (160°C) for 60 minutes.

What are the time and temperature settings for the COX rapid heat sterilizer?
The COX sterilizer operates at 375°F (190°C) for 6, or 12 minute cycles depending upon the load. A 6 minute cycle is used for unwrapped tools and instruments and a 12 minute cycle for wrapped tools and instruments and also for tools and instruments in cassettes.

When using sterilizer bags, are special sterilizer bags needed for dry heat?
Yes, sterilizer bags designed for dry heat need to be used with dry heat or rapid heat sterilizers. Autoclave bags are not designed for this application and should not be used.

Are there any special accessories needed for ophthalmology?
An ophthalmology kit is available which includes 2 silicone mates for delicate instruments and an extra sterilizer basket to allow quick exchange of sterilized tools.

Salons & Spas

Are dry heat sterilizers suitable for salons and spas?
Yes, dry heat sterilizers are FDA registered and are being used by many salons and spas to sterilizer metal tools and instruments that come in contact with clients.

What are the main advantages of using a dry heat sterilizer?
The first advantage of using this type of sterilizer is metal tools and instruments will not rust, allowing these tools and instruments to last much longer. Other advantages include less pitting and dulling of sharps, and no drying time is required.

What is the best sterilizer for salons and spas?
The Steri-Dent Model 200 is a low cost and easy to operate sterilizer. This two tray sterilizer is compact and plugs into any 115 VAC wall outlet. If a large sterilizer is needed, the Steri-Dent Model 300 is three tray sterilizer with extra capacity.

What is the operating time and temperature for the Steri-Dent dry heat sterilizer?
Both the Model 200 and Model 300 sterilizers operate for 60 minutes once the sterilizer has been preheated. The operating temperature is 320°F (160°C). These settings are outlined in the operating manual.

When using sterilizer bags, are special sterilizer bags needed for dry heat?
Yes, sterilizer bags designed for dry heat need to be used with dry heat or rapid heat sterilizers. Autoclave bags are not designed for this application and should not be used.

Body Art

Are dry heat sterilizers suitable for body art shops?
Yes, dry heat sterilizers are FDA registered and are being used by many body art specialists to sterilizer metal tools and instruments that come in contact with clients.\r\n

What are the main advantages of using a dry heat sterilizer?
The first advantage of using this type of sterilizer is metal tools and instruments will have less pitting and dulling of sharps. Other advantages are no rust, allowing these tools and instruments to last much longer and no drying time is required.

What is the best sterilizer for body art shops?
The Steri-Dent Model 200 is a low cost and easy to operate sterilizer. This two tray sterilizer is compact and plugs into any 115 VAC wall outlet. If a large sterilizer is needed, the Steri-Dent Model 300 is three tray sterilizer with extra capacity.

What is the operating time and temperature for the Steri-Dent dry heat sterilizer?
Both the Model 200 and Model 300 sterilizers operate for 60 minutes once the sterilizer has been preheated. The operating temperature is 320°F (160°C). These settings are outlined in the operating manual.

When using sterilizer bags, are special sterilizer bags needed for dry heat?
Yes, sterilizer bags designed for dry heat need to be used with dry heat or rapid heat sterilizers. Autoclave bags are not designed for this application and should not be used.