Efficacy of protection by latex gloves during orthodontic therapy

Abstract

The wearing of gloves during orthodontic or dental treatment is generally indicated for reasons of hygiene and protection against infection. This study was aimed at determining the extent and localization of perforations caused by the various orthodontic treatment techniques and interrupting the infection barrier. The impermeability was tested by means of a water retention test according to European standard EN 455, Part 1, performed on 1600 Centramed (Centramed, Koblenz), Tekmedic and SafeEx non-sterile disposable latex gloves (both by Safe Med, Switzerland) and Safe Gan latex gloves with an additional acrylate coating (also by Safe Med). The perforation rate in unused gloves was between 0.5% and 7.5%, rising on average to 11% with increasing use. 36% of the total number of lesions resulted from handling removable appliances, and 57% from handling fixed appliances, especially when replacing arch wires and elastics. Most lesions were in the thumb, index finger and palm region. Only 18% of the defects were noticed by the dentists themselves. The gloves worn by beginners in their first year of postgraduate orthodontic training had about twice as many defects as those worn by qualified orthodontists. When patients with an increased risk of infection are to be treated, additional hand disinfection measures should be taken and 2 pairs of gloves worn in view of the relatively unreliable protection offered by commercially available latex gloves.

Bacterial Count Comparisons on Examination Gloves from Freshly Opened Boxes Versus Nearly Empty Boxes and From Examination Gloves Before Treatment Versus After Dental Dam Isolation

“…Likewise, preventing bacterial contamination of the canal system should also be beneficial in achieving successful treatment outcomes. It has been suggested that the external surfaces of examination gloves are a possible source for microbial contamination (10). This study showed that examination gloves straight out of the box are relatively free of bacteria, whether from the beginning or end of the box.…”

“…Although use of gloves in the dental field is primarily for the benefit of the healthcare worker for infection prevention and hygiene (8,9), little information is available regarding microbial contamination of gloves before and during use. Nonsterile latex gloves have been shown to have high numbers of cultivable bacteria after use in clinical dentistry (10). Furthermore, Olsen et al showed that examination gloves tested positive for gram negative rods or enterococci after contact with patients' oral mucous membranes 64% of the time, thus being a potential source for microbial contamination of the operative field (11).…”

Abrasion resistance of medical glove materials

“…This specimen location was chosen to be compatible with the large area needed for the viral penetration tests. Also, others have found the dorsum/palm areas to be sites with significant numbers of perforations and pinholes during orthodontic procedures and lung surgery 22, 23…”

Biaxial flex‐fatigue and viral penetration of natural rubber latex gloves before and after artificial aging

“…Furthermore, others have found the palm/dorsal area to be sites with significant numbers of perforations and pinholes during orthodontic procedures and lung surgery. 17,18 Specimens used for both the flex-fatigue and viral challenge tests were rinsed in deionized water to remove powder and surface debris before testing.…”