Stainless Steel Instruments
Asamar uses many different types of stainless steels in the production of instruments dependent upon the design and application of the instrument. All stainless steels have a high nickel and chromium content to maximize corrosion resistance but will corrode and discolor when subjected to high concentrations of certain chemicals.

Never expose stainless steel instruments to products that are not specifically formulated for use with dental instruments or for the purpose of cleaning and sterilizing dental instruments. Do not expose stainless steel dental instruments to the following chemicals. These chemicals will cause an adverse reaction and may destroy your instruments: Chlorine or Chlorinated products, Household Bleach, Tarter and Stain Remover, Aluminum Chloride, Aqua Regia, Barium Chloride, Bichloride of Mercury, Calcium Chloride, Carbolic Acid, Chlorinated Lime, Citric Acid, Dakin’s Solution, Ferric Chloride, Ferrous Chloride, Hydrochloric Acid, Iodine, Lysol®, Mercury Chloride, Mercury Salts, Phenol, Potassium Permanganate, Potassium Thiocyanate, Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach), Stannous Chloride, Sulfuric Acid and Tartaric Acid (Tarter & Stain Remover)

Be sure to only use solutions and chemicals that are compatible with stainless steel hand instruments.

Titanium Nitride Coated (gold colored) Instruments
Titanium coatings are used to increase the surface hardness of instrument tips and reduce “pullback” when manipulating composite materials. Asamar produces a wide range of instruments with titanium nitride coating:

Proper care should be taken to remove any residual composite materials from the blade within 5 minutes after use by wiping the blade with alcohol on a 2x2 gauze. Composite materials or residue can harden on the blade and affect the quality of future restorations. composite residue left to harden on the blade can not be removed without damaging the surface finish of the composite placement instrument. Never use abrasives to clean the surface of any titanium coated composite placement instruments, elevators, periotomes or luxation blades.

Titanium Nitride Coated instruments can be cleaned and sterilized using the same recognized acceptable methods as stainless steel instruments.

Anodized Aluminum composite placement (black colored) instruments should be kept separate during the cleaning and sterilization process. These instruments should be cleaned with a mild detergent under running water. They should never be ultrasonically cleaned. After cleaning they may be sterilized in a Steam Autoclave or Dry Heat sterilizer according to the manufacturers instructions for aluminum instruments.

Hinged Instruments
should be allowed to thoroughly dry in an open position after ultrasonic and manual cleaning procedures. Care should be taken to keep hinges and joints of Forceps, rongeurs, scissors, pliers, hemostats, crown placement pliers, etc. well lubricated. Only use lubricants specifically formulated for dental and surgical instruments and follow manufacturers instructions for applications. Household lubricants, hand-piece lubricants and other lubricants not specifically formulated for dental and surgical hand instruments should never be used.