Sterilization of instruments

Complete sterilization cannot be achieved by simply boiling instruments in water. At Spring Garden, we achieve foolproof sterilization of all instruments by putting them through two stages of sterilization. In the first stage, the instruments are chemi-claved or cold sterilized with anti-bacterial, fungal, viral and surface disinfectants.

In the second stage the instruments are autoclaved. That is, the instruments are subjected to steam treatment at a pressure of 20 PSI at 130 degree Celsius for at least 15 minutes. Before autoclaving, sterilization authentication strips are placed in the autoclave along with the instruments. These strips change color only when complete sterilization is achieved. We keep these strips as a record after the autoclaving process is over and the patient has a right to ask for and check them for proof of complete sterilization.

A set of sterilized instruments for each patient

Treatment at Spring Garden is by prior appointment only. This ensures that each patient has a completely sterilized set of instruments ready for him.

Use of disposables

Following standard international procedures for infection control, single-use disposables are used wherever possible; for example hand gloves for surgeons and assistants, suction tips, injection needles, etc. In addition, we use single use disposable wrappers to cover all areas where the doctor is likely to come into contact with. For e.g. dental tray handles, 3-way syringes, etc.

After each sitting, surface disinfectants are used to disinfect all possible areas of contamination. In short, we consciously keep the whole dental environment in a state of continuous asepsis.

Use of the ‘Rubber Dam’

Most of the restorative materials used in the oral cavities are affected by salivary contamination during the restoration process. Dental materials loose their effectiveness in terms of strength, durability and retention of colour, if saliva or moisture is allowed to mix with it during restoration. At Spring Garden, our doctors use a “Rubber Dam” to isolate the problem tooth from the rest during the entire operation. Thus, three things are achieved. First, sterility of the root canal/cavity can be maintained throughout the treatment by keeping out saliva that is rich in bacteria; Second, the dental material used will cure to its full strength; Third, it will prevent accidental swallowing of small/sharp dental material/instruments.