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| Year : 2006 | Volume
: 9
| Issue : 3 | Page : 93-98 |
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Evaluation of bacterial contamination of dental unit water Lines and the efficacy of a commercially available disinfectant
Vijay K Venkatesh, Nandini V Vidyashree, Velmurugan, A Parameswaran, D Kandaswamy
Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College & Hospital, Chennai, India
Correspondence Address:
Vijay K Venkatesh
Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College & Hospital, Chennai
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0972-0707.42329
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Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination of Dental Unit Water Lines and the Efficacy of a Commercially Available Disinfectant (Sterilex Ultra® )
Key words: dental unit waterlines, disinfection. biofilm, hypochlorite. Microbial colonies that adhere to solid surfaces wherever there is sufficient moisture are referred to as the biofilm. The microbes acquire a slimy covering called glycocalyx, which protects them, in a moist environment. Biofilms formed in dental unit water lines can act as a source of cross infection.
Aim: A study was undertaken to evaluate the bacterial contamination of dental unit water lines and to evaluate the efficacy of a commercial disinfectant (Sterilex Ultra® ) in eliminating biofilms from dental unit water lines.
Materials and Methods: To begin with, random water samples were collected from water booster, air-turbine, air water syringe of three dental units and were subjected to bacteriological analysis. A commercially available disinfectant. Sterilex Ultra® , was used to treat the dental unit water lines. Water samples from different parts of dental unit water lines were collected on the third, fifth and seventh day following treatment with the reagent and the samples were sent for bacteriological examination. One inch tubing from the outlet of the booster, air turbine and air/water syringe was also sectioned and processed for bacteriological examination.
Results: Bacterial isolates were observed before treatment with Sterilex Ultra® and but there were no bacterial isolates after treatment with the reagent for a period of six days.
Conclusion: Usage of disinfectant was found to be very effective for a period of six days. For maintenance of sterility of dental unit water lines it is essential to have a good source of water. an effective disinfectant and the use of an anti-retraction valve. |
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