I knew the high salt content made it fairly safe, but I had no idea it
is sterile.

Joel

From the rxroots.com website: Date: Thursday, March 17, 2005 3:36 PM
From: John Maloney To: ROOTS Subject: [roots] ULTRADENT/OPTIDENT
STERILOX SYSTEM Firstly, Many Thanks to ROOTS and Dr Serota for
allowing Optident and Ultradent to contribute with some of our
findings with the Sterilox system. At Optident we have worked closely
with several of the leading microbiologists in the UK, one being Dr
Michael Martin MBE BDS BA PhD FRCPath FFGDPRCS who introduced the
Sterilox system into the University of Liverpool for testing
approximately 3 years ago. Dr Serota has asked if we can come online
and answer any questions the group may have which we will endeavour to
do as precisely and quickly as possible. The Sterilox system is based
on a patented process of electrolysis of a sodium chloride based
solution specifically manufactured for Sterilox to produce
hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid is by far the most effective form
of chlorine for use as a biocide, yet is non-toxic and non irritant at
the specification produced by the Sterilox system. The pH of Sterilox
is approx 6.1 and therefore is less acidic than other forms of
Chlorine and less alkaline than hypochlorite. It is the control of
this PH which is a major difference with Sterilox to other
hypochlorous generators. Born in the medical field for high level
disinfection of endoscopes and other sterilisation processes, Sterilox
has been tested extensively in the UK, and more recently the US, and
found to be highly effective for elimination and maintenance of
biofilm in Dental Unit Water lines. Studies have shown that bacterial
levels of over 500,000 CFU’s can be found in some dental unit water
lines. The legal level for potable water in the U.S is 500CFU and in
the E.U100 CFU. Most dental units are therefore well in excess of
these recommended levels. The use of Sterilox, through an initial
purge, and then using a 2% concentration of Sterilox with utility
supplied or distilled water has been found to reduce CFU levels well
below recommended drinking levels, and in many cases down to zero. A
recent study at Loma Linda University by Prof Wu Zhang and Prof Yiming
Lee, which I believe was presented at IADR, concluded ‘The Ultradent
Sterilox system is effective in controlling microbial contamination,
reducing biofilm and maintaining endotoxin at an acceptable level in
Dental Unit Water Line (DUWL). The University of Liverpool study which
is due to be published in the ‘British Dental Journal’ this month had
similar findings. Two other very practical uses are disinfection of
hard surfaces (concentrate solution no dilution) and also disinfection
of impressions (10% dilution with water, 10 minute immersion).
Regarding the use of Sterilox for endodontic irrigation. As we know,
the solution has a high microbiocidal effect, and is a safe non toxic
solution. Several papers have shown that electrochemically activated
water (ECA) such as Sterilox, may be an alternative to hypochlorite
and further ongoing studies are continuing, at present we cannot
provide more evidence. A smaller online forum in the UK (GDP-UK) has
recently discussed the use of Sterilox and its multiple indications,
and again (as per Joe Dovgan’s mail) it’s encouraging to see where
dentists are having great success with this system. I hope this
information is useful to all and please feel free to fire some
questions in our direction via the list