Sterilization protocol in orthodontic practice- a review

Sterilization in Orthodontics and particularly in the entire dental practice is an important topic which requires special attention because both the patients and the practitioners have a substantial risk of spreading infections like hepatitis B, pneumonia, tuberculosis and HIV. In depth knowledge of sterilization and disinfection is a key component of infection control. Control of infection that spreads through various instruments and armamentarium used in the field of orthodontics and also in the dental practice is of utmost importance to prevent cross- infection. As responsible clinicians, our goals should be to reduce the number of pathogenic organisms to a level at which our own body resistance may prevent infection and to break the circle of infection by eliminating cross- contamination. The present article reviews various recent methods of sterilization for an effective and efficient infection-free orthodontic practice.