ENGLISH: Instructions for Attaching Facebow Transfer Assembly
9
Cleaning and Sterilization of Articulators and Face-bows
These instructions are intended to provide you with general guidelines for proper
cleaning, and (where appropriate) sterilization of Whip Mix Articulator and Face-bow
medical devices. Individual work centers may supersede the instructions provided.
Specic brand names for cleaning material are left up to the discretion of individual work
centers.
The guidelines for cleaning articulator and face-bow medical devices follow the CDC
recommendations from the 2003, “Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health
Care Settings”. Under the heading “Sterilization And Disinfection of Patient-Care
items” patient-care items (dental instruments, devices and equipment) are categorized as
critical, semi-critical or non-critical.
Critical items used to penetrate soft tissue or bone have the greatest risk of transmitting
infection and should be sterilized by heat. Semi-critical items touch mucous membranes
or non-intact skin and have a lower risk of transmission; because the majority of semi-
critical items in dentistry are heat-tolerant, they also should be sterilized by using heat.
Non-critical items pose the least risk of transmission of infection, contacting only intact
skin, which can serve as an effective barrier to microorganisms.
According to this guideline only the face-bow bite fork is categorized as
semi-critical. All other parts of the articulator and face-bow are categorized as
non-critical.
We recommended the following for cleaning and sterilization of Whip Mix Articulator and
Face-bow devices and components:
CLEANING
If there is any debris on the devices be sure to remove debris before the cleaning
process. Use a soft bristle brush and cold running water to remove any debris. After
debris removal follow the below guidelines.
Articulator
• Use mild soap and water solution with the aid of a soft bristle brush to dissolve
accumulations of wax and to wash away carborundum grit then air dry completely.
DO NOT use strong detergents, alkalis, gasoline or naphtha as cleaning agents.
• Remove excess stone to prevent corrosion of articulator surfaces.
• (Whip Mix Branded only) Apply a light coating of silicone spray to articulator
surface to prevent plaster or stone from sticking.
• (Hanau and Denar only) A thin coating of petroleum jelly must be applied to all
articulator surfaces that will be contacted by the gypsum mounting material.
• Lubricate working and bearing components with a thin lm of lubricant (Whip Mix
Lubriplate) or silicone to the surface upon which the condylar elements move to
provide a smooth action during movements.
• Clean using the purest form of water available. It is recommended using a
Hospital Grade Enzymatic Detergent to clean the device. Rinse water should
be bacterial free and contain no endotoxins.
• Use Sterile lint-free cloth to dry.
• Follow the manufacturers’ direction for using their product.
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