Before placing prosthetic appliances in a patient's mouth, what must they undergo?

Prosthetic appliances must undergo chemical disinfection before being placed in a patient's mouth to ensure they are free from pathogenic microorganisms. This step is crucial in preventing infection and maintaining patient safety. Chemical disinfection is a process that employs specific disinfectant agents to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and fungi that may be present on the surface of the prosthetic device.

While mechanical polishing, heating, and visual inspection are important steps in the overall handling and preparation of prosthetic appliances, they do not specifically address the need for microbial safety. Mechanical polishing may enhance the aesthetics and surface smoothness of the appliance, heating might be used in certain processing situations, and visual inspection is essential for identifying defects or imperfections, but none of these methods provide the necessary antimicrobial action required to ensure the safety of the device before it enters a patient's oral cavity.

The proper chemical disinfection aligns with infection control protocols mandated by regulatory guidelines, emphasizing the importance of reducing the risk of cross-contamination and ensuring that prosthetic appliances are safe for patient use.