Correct cleaning, sterilization and storage extends the working life of surgical-grade stainless steel instruments and protects the warranty on your Nexodent range. The steps below cover general care — always follow your practice's own infection control policy and applicable standards (e.g. AS/NZS 4187 in Australia) as the governing procedure.

Nexodent Coupland Elevator, surgical stainless steel

1. Pre-Clean Promptly

  • Rinse or wipe instruments as soon as possible after use — don't let blood, saline or debris dry on the surface
  • Avoid saline soaking for extended periods; saline can accelerate pitting on stainless steel

2. Clean Before Sterilizing

  • Use an ultrasonic cleaner with an enzymatic or neutral-pH instrument detergent
  • Avoid chlorine-based disinfectants and abrasive cleaning pads — both can damage the passive oxide layer that protects stainless steel from corrosion
  • Rinse thoroughly with clean water after cleaning, then dry before sterilization

3. Autoclave

  • Follow your autoclave manufacturer's validated cycle for surgical instruments (commonly 134°C for a minimum hold time, or 121°C for a longer hold — confirm the exact cycle against your own autoclave's specification and your practice's validated protocol)
  • Don't overload trays — instruments need steam contact on all surfaces
  • Use appropriate sterilization pouches or wraps and observe expiry/use-by dating per your practice protocol

4. Passivation & Long-Term Care

  • Periodic passivation treatment helps maintain the corrosion-resistant surface on stainless steel instruments over repeated sterilization cycles
  • Inspect hinges and box-locks regularly; lubricate with an autoclavable, water-soluble instrument milk if your protocol calls for it
  • Store dry, in sterile packaging, away from other metals that could cause galvanic staining

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Nexodent instruments autoclavable?
Yes — all instruments in our surgical-grade stainless steel range are autoclavable.

Will incorrect sterilization void my warranty?
Damage caused by incorrect cleaning agents or sterilization procedure is not covered under our warranty policy. Following the steps above helps avoid this.

What if I see staining or pitting on an instrument?
Contact us with photos and your order details — we can help identify whether it's a sterilization/water-quality issue or a covered manufacturing defect.

This page provides general manufacturer care guidance and does not replace your practice's infection control policy or the applicable regulatory standard (e.g. AS/NZS 4187) in your jurisdiction.