Parker H H, Johnson R B
Department of Endodontics, University of Mississippi, School of Dentistry, Jackson, USA.
J Dent. 1995 Apr;23(2):113-5. doi: 10.1016/0300-5712(95)98977-b.
Ethylene oxide gas has been utilized as an alternative method for sterilization of dental handpieces, as it is less corrosive than steam. However, its effectiveness for sterilization of the internal components of dental handpieces has not been established. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of ethylene oxide and steam for sterilization of dental handpieces. Unused handpieces and handpieces which had been exposed to clinical dental procedures ('clinical') were contaminated with Streptococcus mutans, exposed to steam or ethylene oxide, and flushed with sterile saline. Washings were plated on mitis-salivarius agar, and colonies identified and counted. No viable colonies could be established from washings from 'clinical' or 'unused' handpieces exposed to steam. However, viable colonies could be established from 'clinical' handpieces exposed to ethylene oxide. This data suggests that a substance entrapped within 'clinical' handpieces (possibly the biofilm) may protect bacteria from ethylene oxide gas, preventing adequate sterilization.
环氧乙烷气体已被用作牙科手机灭菌的替代方法，因为它比蒸汽腐蚀性小。然而，其对牙科手机内部部件的灭菌效果尚未得到证实。本研究的目的是比较环氧乙烷和蒸汽对牙科手机的灭菌效果。未使用过的手机和已进行临床牙科操作的手机（“临床用”）被变形链球菌污染，分别暴露于蒸汽或环氧乙烷中，然后用无菌盐水冲洗。冲洗液接种在轻唾琼脂平板上，对菌落进行鉴定和计数。暴露于蒸汽的“临床用”或“未使用过”手机的冲洗液中未发现活菌。然而，暴露于环氧乙烷的“临床用”手机的冲洗液中可发现活菌。这些数据表明，“临床用”手机内截留的一种物质（可能是生物膜）可能保护细菌免受环氧乙烷气体的影响，从而妨碍充分灭菌。
