The entire test was also performed with S. The test was repeated with evaporation times of 5 min, 10 min and 30 min. albicans, and a direct imprint on Saboraud agar was made ( Figure 1) and cultivated. After evaporation, the phosphor plates were contaminated with C. A Digora plate and a Vista plate (full names and companies in Table 1) were manually disinfected for 10 s with either 2-propanol or ethanol disinfectant tissue, respectively, and the phosphor plates were left to evaporate for 1 min.
oralis, (2) a concept for autodisinfection with ultraviolet light (UV light) of the transport ramp in a scanner for a phosphor plate system and (3) the impact of wiping with alcohol tissues on durability of the plate.Īn initial test was performed to assess the influence of evaporating disinfectant on survival of subsequently added micro-organisms.
The aims of this experimental study were to assess (1) the antimicrobial efficiency of manual wiping intraoral phosphor plates with alcohol tissues based on ethanol or 2-propanol alcohols after contaminating the plates with C. These two micro-organisms may therefore be used to simulate a clinical situation with contamination of phosphor plates and the scanner ramp. 7 Fungi are less sensitive to disinfectants than bacteria. Streptococcus oralis is a primary colonizer of teeth, and Candida albicans is the most predominant fungus in the oral cavity. 5 One manufacturer has, on the other hand, suggested the use of a milder alcohol, 2-propanol, to be used for cleaning the plate between exposures, 6 but the effectiveness of this disinfecting method has not been studied, and neither has the life span of a plate when subjected to wiping with alcohol tissues. 5 Just like the film, the phosphor plate is processed after exposure, and the scanner for processing the plate may also be contaminated if micro-organisms have contaminated the plate prior to scanning.Įthanol in a mixture with chlorhexidin and glycerol is a common means of disinfecting instruments and units between patients in the dental clinic however, manufacturers of storage phosphor plates have claimed that the plate does not tolerate wiping with ethanol. 3, 4 The phosphor layer in storage phosphor plates may be sensitive to rubbing with disinfectants, such as alcohols, although coated to increase resistance to both scratching and wiping. 1, 2 Although the storage phosphor plate is packed in a sealed plastic bag before use, the reusable nature of this receptor represents a risk for cross-contamination between patients. the storage phosphor plate, is intended to be used for multiple patient exposures. In opposition to the conventional film, an intraoral digital radiographic receptor, e.g.