Final answer:
The temperature during handpiece sterilization should not exceed 275°F (135°C). Autoclaves typically operate at 121°C or 132°C for moist-heat sterilization, while dry-heat sterilization can use temperatures up to 170°C. Both methods aim to achieve complete sterilization by killing all microorganisms, including endospores.
Step-by-step explanation:
The temperature during handpiece sterilization should never exceed 275°F (135°C). When using an autoclave for moist-heat sterilization, the standard operating temperatures are typically at 121°C or 132°C, under a pressure of 15 to 20 psi. The process involves steam penetrating the materials which are loosely wrapped to ensure direct contact. The exposure time varies depending on the volume and nature of the material being sterilized, but it usually lasts 20 minutes or more.
For dry-heat sterilization, the temperatures can reach up to 170°C and require a longer exposure time, at least 2 hours. This method is used for instances where moist heat cannot be applied and requires direct application of heat.
Each sterilization technique needs to achieve temperatures high enough to eradicate all microorganisms, including endospores, to ensure complete sterilization of the instruments and materials used in medical procedures.