Glass bead sterilization of orthodontic bands.

The purpose of this study was threefold: to determine if bead sterilization is capable of sterilizing orthodontic bands, if so, to establish a minimal time for sterilization when bands are inoculated with bacteria and spores, and to compare bead sterilization to other methods of cleansing and disinfecting orthodontic bands used in the office setting. Ten bands per time trial inoculated with either Bacillus subtilis spores or Staphylococcus albus bacteria were used along with ten controls (inoculated but not placed in the bead sterilizer). The bands were placed one at a time into a 226 degrees C bead sterilizer for 15, 30, 45, and 60 seconds, transferred to a test tube with BHI broth, and incubated at 37 degrees C for 3 days. The results indicated that 15 seconds is required to sterilize bacteria and 45 seconds required for spores. If five bands were placed in the bead sterilizer simultaneously, twice the time was required for sterilization. Other techniques for disinfecting bands, such as a 5-second tap water rinse, 10-second soap scrub, 30-minute immersion in alcohol, and alcohol flame, were ineffective in killing bacteria or spores with one exception--the alcohol flame was capable of preventing growth on bands inoculated with Staphylococcus albus.