Disposal
Handling of Extracted Teeth is often overlooked in the dental clinic. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers them to be potentially infectious material. Extracted teeth are sometimes sent to dental laboratories for shade and anatomical comparisons. Occasionally patients request that their extracted teeth be returned to them. In many instances extracted teeth will include amalgam restorations.
Measures should be taken so that these teeth do not become a source of infection for other people who might come in contact with them. Also possible pollutants should be taken into consideration.
Educational Settings
Students from dental school occasionally collect extracted teeth for use in their pre-clinical training. It should be kept in mind that these teeth are considered potentially infectious. Persons involved in handling and transport of these materials should be protected from possible infection.
Recommendations
Handling of Extracted Teeth
Disposal
1. Dispose of extracted teeth as regulated medical waste unless returned to the patient.
2 Do not dispose of extracted teeth containing amalgam in regulated medical waste intended for incineration.
3. Clean and place extracted teeth in a leak-proof container labeled with a biohazard symbol and maintain hydration for transport to educational institutions or a dental laboratory.
4. Heat-sterilize teeth that do not contain amalgam before they are used for educational purposes.
5. Extracted teeth can be effectively sterilized, students must still follow standard precautions in handling these materials.
6. Although extracted teeth can be effectively sterilized, students must still follow standard precautions in handling these materials.