How long does it take to sterilize instruments in glutaraldehyde?

Glutaraldehyde is a high-level disinfectant used in dental practices for the sterilization of heat-sensitive instruments. The effectiveness of glutaraldehyde depends on the exposure time. For complete sterilization to occur, instruments typically need to be immersed in glutaraldehyde for a duration of at least 10 hours. This prolonged exposure ensures that the solution penetrates and effectively kills all microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and spores, ensuring a high level of safety for patients.

Other time frames mentioned in the options are insufficient for achieving sterilization with glutaraldehyde. While shorter immersion times may provide disinfection, they do not meet the rigorous standards required for complete sterilization, particularly for items that may come into contact with sterile tissues. Thus, the choice of 10 hours aligns with the guidelines for using glutaraldehyde in a dental infection control context.