Endodontic files must be one of the more difficult things to sterilise and reprocess in the dental operatory but there is a scientifically proven protocol for the reprocessing of such instruments. Instructions are below and are very specific.
Moisten a scouring sponge in 0.2% chlorhexidine solution. Mechanically remove gross debris by vigorously inserting the file into and out of the scouring sponge to a total of 10 times. Smaller instruments should be screwed into the scourer sponge first. The files are then pre-soaked in an enzymatic cleaning solution (Empower or Metrizyme) for 30 minutes before ultrasonication with the same enzymatic solution for 15 minutes. (The files should be placed in a fine mash basket (or similar) before ultrasonication.) They are then rinsed for 20 seconds under running tap water before being placed into a steam steriliser for for the final stage of sterilisation.
Parashos P, Linsuwanont P, Messer HH, ‘A Cleaning Protocol for Rotary Nickel-Titanium Endodontic Instruments’, Aust Dent J 2004 March; 49(1):20-7
