What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection?

• A. Sterilization uses cold chemicals; disinfection uses heat.
• B. Sterilization eliminates all forms of microbial life including spores; disinfection reduces pathogenic microorganisms but does not necessarily kill spores.
• C. Sterilization kills spores; disinfection kills viruses only.
• D. Sterilization is optional in dental practices.

Answer: (B)

Sterilization means completely eradicating all microbial life on an object, including bacterial spores, so nothing viable remains. Disinfection, on the other hand, reduces the number of pathogenic microorganisms to levels considered safe, but it does not guarantee that spores or all microbes are gone. In dental practice, this distinction matters because critical instruments that contact sterile tissues must be sterilized, while surfaces and non-critical items are typically disinfected to lower the risk of transmission. Remember, spores are especially resistant, which is why only sterilization methods (not standard disinfection) are relied on for truly eliminating all forms of life.