The following types of sterilizers are most commonly used in dental practice:
a. Dry Heat Oven. A sterilizer that relies on static dry heat at 160 degrees C for 2 hours to 170 degrees C for 1 hour.
b. Forced Air Dry Heat (Convection Type). A sterilizer that relies on forced air at 190 degrees C. Sterilization cycles for unwrapped instruments may be as short as six minutes.
c. Steam Sterilizer (Autoclave) - Gravity or downward displacement type. A type of sterilizer in which incoming steam displaces the residual air through a port or drain usually in or near the bottom of the sterilizer chamber. Typical operating temperatures are 121-123 degrees C and 132-135 degrees C.
d. Steam Sterilizer (Autoclave) - Prevacuum Type. A type of sterilizer that relies on one or more pressure and vacuum excursions at the beginning or end of the cycle. This method of operation results in shorter cycle times due to the rapid removal of air from the chamber and the load by a vacuum system. Operating temperatures are 132-135 degrees C.
e. Steam Sterilizer (Autoclave) - Tabletop Type. A small-capacity steam autoclave that usually does not use externally generated steam. Heating elements either inside or outside the chamber are used to heat a measured amount of water, which is converted to steam under pressure.
f. Sterilizer (Chemiclave) - Unsaturated Chemical Vapor Type. A type of sterilizer which relies on heat, pressure and alcohol/formaldehyde-based proprietary solutions to achieve sterilization. Standard operating temperature is 131 degrees C.
