The History of Autoclaves and How Steam Kills Germs
Dental sterilizers are imperative to a dental practice because regularly handling teeth make dental practices more vulnerable to infections and diseases. Because of the potential of spreading diseases, dental equipment will need a sterile form of cleaning capable of sterilizing the most stubborn stains and the most hidden crevices where bacteria can form. Autoclaves solve this issue by using either steam or dry heat to provide stable infection control.
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Autoclaves, initially invented in 1879 by Charles Chamberland, provided a more accurate and reliable source of sterilization. Before the invention of the autoclave, surgeons, and doctors used the open flaming method, which involved holding the instrument over an open flame to incinerate any moisture from the device. Heat, especially at higher temperatures, works to remove the potential of living organisms, including spores, from an object by the process of denaturation, where the structures of the proteins within living bacteria are disrupted and altered, causing the bacteria to die off. By the time the autoclave was invented, sterilization had become a much easier process. As the autoclave improved over time, newer methods, such as steam, became preferred for sterilizing equipment in quicker, larger quantities.
Steam is the primary autoclave sterilization agent that’s ideal for destroying microorganisms. Steam, because of its ability to heat more efficiently than dry air, causes coagulation, the process by which liquids turn into a semi-solid state. Because bacteria tend to carry more water, applying steam will allow those bacteria molecules to become solid. The moisture from the steam helps to transfer the heat easier and thus penetrates the bacteria, causing them to die off. With steam autoclaves, it’s a delicate balance. Still, the autoclave’s quality helps determine the quality of the steam produced and includes aspects such as moisture control and levels of non-condensate gases to produce optimal amounts of steam and, thus, increase the sterilization time for disinfecting equipment.
On average, autoclaves should be able to reach temperatures of 270° F to sterilize instruments and equipment completely. The disinfecting cycle can range from 6 to 30 minutes, depending on what is being sterilized. When searching for the best autoclave, some key questions you should think about include:
- What company manufactures the autoclave?
- What features does the autoclave offer?
- What volume of items can be sterilized?
- How will the autoclave function?
- Will this become a reliable investment?
Autoclaves have to meet the current national and international standards to be properly regulated and controlled for dental and medical use. Its features, which can range from how efficient it is at time-saving, what safety features it provides, and how much space it provides, are all features that should be considered when choosing an autoclave for your practice.
Table 1: Comparison of Numbers
| Model | Net32 Ratings | Price | Chamber Size (inches) | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midmark M11 UltraClave Steam Sterilizer | 5/7 | $6,699.00 | 11″ x 18″ | 7 |
| Tuttnauer ValueKlave 1730 Steam Sterilizer | 5/2 | $2,239.00 | N/A | 2 |
| Midmark M9 UltraClave Steam Sterilizer | 5/5 | $6,300.00 | 9″ x 15″ | 5 |
| Bader 12 L Class B Autoclave | N/A | € 2,443.19 | N/A | N/A |
| Mocom Supreme Closed Circuit Autoclave | N/A | € 5,197.50 | N/A | N/A |
Table 2: Comparison of Features
| Model | Chamber Size | Pre-programmed Cycles | Programmable Controls | Safety Features | Additional Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midmark M11 UltraClave Steam Sterilizer | Large | Yes | Yes | Steam-flush pressure removal system, reservoir drain and fills port | Designed with simple functionality and large capacity |
| Tuttnauer ValueKlave 1730 Steam Sterilizer | Compact | Yes | N/A | Dual safety thermostat, automatic shut-off | Colorful control panel and polished chamber for effective steaming |
| Midmark M9 UltraClave Steam Sterilizer | Sufficient | Yes | Yes | Steam-flush pressure air removal system, built-in CD display | Designed to maximize space and fight off infectious organisms |
| Bader 12 L Class B Autoclave | N/A | N/A | N/A | Microprocessor with a control system, regular self-diagnosis, quality sensor | USB port and self-drying cycle |
| Mocom Supreme Closed Circuit Autoclave | N/A | N/A | Yes | Internal filtration system, nano-ceramic re-circulation filter | 7″ touch display screen, incorporated WiFi system, USB port and memory card for system diagnosis and data collection |
1. Midmark M11 UltraClave Steam Sterilizer
Net32 Ratings: Five stars out of 7 Reviews
Awards: DentalTown’s Best Infection Control Sterilizer Company of 2019
Midmark’s M11 steam sterilizer is designed with simple functionality and large capacity, making it one of the most highly recommended autoclaves on the market. The Midmark M11 comes with pre-programmed cycles for improved convenience and programmable controls for exposure time, temperature, dry time, and venting. Designed with an intuitive display and simple operation buttons, the Midmark M11 includes a steam-flush pressure removal system that ensures proper steam penetration and a reservoir drain and fills port for ease of use. It contains one of the largest chamber sizes on the market, with dimensions of 11″ diameter chamber and depth of 18″, making it viable for large bulks of equipment cleaning.
Net32 Price: $6,699.00
2. Tuttnauer ValueKlave 1730 Steam Sterilizer
Net32 Ratings: Five stars out of 2 Reviews
Tuttnauer has created an entire industry off of specializing in autoclaves; the Valueklave aims to save dentists time and money by bringing a versatile operation within a compact size. Its standard unwrapped cycle time has an efficiency of 11 minutes from a hot start and a safe-locking door for maximum pressure during steaming. The Valueklave is designed with the user in mind, showcasing its functions with a colorful control panel that’s intuitive to use. The autoclave includes a dual safety thermostat and automatic shut-off for protection from overheating, an easy-to-access drainage reservoir, and a polished, durable chamber for the most effective steaming.
AMAZON Price: $2,239.00
3. Midmark M9 UltraClave Steam Sterilizer
Net32 Ratings: Five stars out of 5 Reviews
As the predecessor of the M11, the Midmark M9 features a smaller steel chamber of 9″ x 15″ that’s sufficient enough to handle quantities of instruments. It contains a built-in CD display that prompts cycles, exposure time, and temperature gauges. The Midmark M9 is designed to maximize the space available and easily fight off infectious organisms. The autoclave incorporates a steam-flush pressure air removal system that reduces the drying time of the instruments and contains pre-programmable settings for adjusting the time, temperature, vent speed, and dry time for the user.
Net32 Price: $6,300.00
4. Bader 12 L Class B Autoclave
Dentaltix Ratings: N/A
Bader’s autoclave features the most basic of components necessary for proper infection control, including a microprocessor with a control system designed to create a safe and comfortable interface. The autoclave performs regular self-diagnosis for cases of overheating and high pressure. The inside of the autoclave contains a condensed water collector for preventing steam pollution and a drying cycle at the end of its sterilization process. The Bader 12 L complies with all European standards of regulation, and it’s equipped with simple, easy functions such as a USB port and a quality sensor for security.
Dentaltix Price: € 2,443.19
5. Mocom Supreme Closed Circuit Autoclave
Dentaltix Ratings: N/A
The Modom closed-circuit autoclave produces 50 cycles of sterilization with just 5 liters of water and maintains its consumption through an internal filtration system that recycles water at approximately 100ml/cycle. Operating with its internal filtration system reduces costs, eliminates waste, and ensures efficiency. It filters water through a nano-ceramic re-circulation filter to distill and purify water for its sterilization process. It contains a 7″ touch display screen for easy interaction with the interface, an incorporated WiFi system, a USB port, and a memory card for system diagnosis and data collection.
Dentaltix Price: € 5,197.50
