All medical and dental healthcare offices must adhere to the strict sterilization methodology to shield doctors and patients from microbes that cause transmittable illness. Transmission of prion infection through dental equipment is still a threat in many hospitals & clinical centres around the world nowadays and should not be ignored.

1. Why it is Easier to Succeed in Dental Surgery with Prion Cycle in
Autoclave, You Should Think of
All medical and dental healthcare offices must adhere to the strict sterilization
methodology to shield doctors and patients from microbes that cause transmittable illness.
Transmission of prion infection through dental equipment is still a threat in many hospitals
& clinical centres around the world nowadays and should not be ignored. Healthcare
facilities that do not have standardized prion sterilization procedures for
contaminated dental equipment endanger not only the staff but also the prospective
patient who will be treated with the same equipment.
WHATIS A PRION?
The word “Prion” identifies the enigmatic pathogenic bacteria accountable for many
neurodegenerative diseases found in humans. A prion is a type of protein that is normally
transposable elements and can transfer its structure to features of the same protein.
TSE i.e. Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies is a neurological disease caused by
transmissible particles containing a pathogenic isoform of the prion protein, which is a
natural component of the cell membrane.
The prevention of Prion diseases is not that simple though the normal sterilization and
decontamination procedures performed in dental clinics. The challenge comes as the prions
are extremely resistant to our commonly used sterilization cycle in the autoclave. As a
result, the dental professionals and the clinical staff should be vigilant of the guidelines and
standards of proper infection management in order to prevent iatrogenic prion
transmission.

2. STERILIZATION OF PRIONS:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, single-use instruments such
as sterile needles and local anesthesia syringes are the best way to reduce the transmission
of prion diseases. Since most dental instruments are reused and no effective
decontamination is performed, the risk of prion transmission increases.
In dentistry, when the reusable dental instrument comes in contact with the patient’s
blood, saliva, any oral fluid, in case of endodontic treatments, the reamers, files, etc. any
instrument or equipment used inside pulp canal, in case of implants, the implant drills which
are used for bone drilling increase the potential risk for transmission of prion disease.
Since dental pulp tissue is made up of densely innervated neural crest cells, it's theoretically
possible that prion-infected people dental pulp is also infected.
Prions are distinct from other pathogenic organisms as they can induce transcriptional
changes in normal pathogens, making them infectious. As a result, prions undergoing
sterilization necessitate alteration of protein structure to the extent that the prion will not
cause any irregular organizing of the pathogens to become infectious. All the commonly
used methods e.g. Formalin, Heat, or even ionizing radiations are resilient to prions. The
best method for eradicating the prions from the reusable dental instruments or equipment
can be through a B class steamsterilizer, commonly known as a B class autoclave in a
constant temperature and pressure for the recommended time limit.
PrionCycle in B class Autoclave:

3. The B class Autoclave is known to be the Best in its class due to the extraordinary features of
sterilizing any type of bacteria, virus, bacterial spores, fungi, etc. found on reusable dental
instruments that can contaminate from an infected person to a healthy individual. The B
class Autoclave as in Runyes Feng 23L comes with Triple Vacuum Cycle assured for 100%
sterilization and decontamination of reusable solid/hollow/porous/non-porous dental &
medical instruments.
Prions can be deactivated when exposed in a B class steamsterilizer at a temperature of
134°C and 2.10 Bar pressure for an 18 min longer sterilization time. This sterilization cycle is
also known as B+ Cycle in Runyes Feng 23L Dental autoclave and is fully effective against
the prion bacteria. All types of surgical instruments including implant kits, handpieces,
diagnostic instruments, extraction forceps, elevators, luxators, etc. are proven to be 100%
sterilized in this Runyes B Class Autoclave.
Conclusion:
The precise nature & structure of the prion and the risk of transmission of prion disease
through dental treatment indicate the importance of maintaining the high standard of
infection control and decontamination for infectious agents, including prions. The patients
who have been diagnosed with prion diseases should be treated at the end of the day to
allow for more thorough disinfection and sterilization. We can conclude that the solution to
the challenge of Prion decontamination with 100% efficacy can be possible only in a B-class
autoclave with a Prion cycle.
If you have additional questions about “How to sterilize your dental instruments – A
complete Guide” you can refer to our blog to have the complete idea about sterilization
protocols.
You can also Download Runyes Feng 23L B Class Dental Autoclave Brochure At Our official
Website www.unicorndenmart.com