The value of ultrasonic cleaners in dental practice

Ultrasonic cleaners are a valued aid to instrument cleaning in many general dental practices. This article reviews the different ways their cleaning efficiency has been assessed. It is recommended that burs and files should be cleaned ultrasonically before first use. Prophylaxis cups are not sufficiently decontaminated by ultrasonic cleaning and therefore should be discarded after use. Although instruments are visibly clean after ultrasonic cleaning and generally clean when viewed with an electron microscope, ultrasound alone is insufficient for sterilisation. Further avenues of research have been highlighted.