What Happens If You Don’t Properly Clean Your Airotor Handpiece: Risks and Consequences.

What Happens If You Don’t Properly Clean Your Airotor Handpiece: Risks and Consequences.

Neglecting proper cleaning and sterilization of airotor handpieces can have serious consequences—for both your patients and your equipment. Here's what can go wrong:

1. Risk of Cross-Infection

Pathogen Transmission: Blood, saliva, and tissue particles can carry viruses and bacteria such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and other infectious agents.

Aerosol Contamination: Airotors generate aerosols during procedures. If not cleaned and sterilized, they can spread contaminants to the next patient and the entire operatory. 

2. Internal Contamination of the Handpiece

Biofilm Formation: Bacteria can accumulate and form biofilms inside the turbine and tubing, making future cleaning less effective.

Corrosion and Damage: Moisture and debris inside the head can lead to rust, reduced turbine life, and malfunction.

3. Reduced Handpiece Performance

Loss of Torque and Speed: Debris and dried contaminants clog internal components, reducing cutting efficiency and increasing treatment time.

Overheating and Noise: Unclean turbines can overheat, become noisy, or wobble during procedures.

4. Shortened Equipment Lifespan

Wear and Tear: Without proper cleaning and lubrication, the turbine bearings and rotors wear out faster, leading to frequent repairs or replacements.

5. Legal and Regulatory Consequences

Violation of Infection Control Protocols: Failing to sterilize handpieces is against dental regulatory guidelines and can result in audits, fines, or even clinic shutdowns.

Loss of Patient Trust: A single case of cross-infection can damage your clinic's reputation permanently.

In Summary: Not cleaning your airotor properly after each patient exposes you to the dual risk of harming your patients through infection and damaging your expensive equipment. Proper cleaning, lubrication, and autoclaving are essential—not optional.

Make infection control a priority, not an afterthought. 

BRIXO DENTAL- The NAME you can TRUST ( Airotors and Diamond Burs)