Which piece of equipment is used to sterilise instruments and make them safe for reuse?

The autoclave is a vital piece of equipment in the dental practice for sterilizing instruments. It uses steam under pressure to kill microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and spores, which are often more resistant to sterilization methods. The high temperature and pressure achieved in an autoclave ensure that instruments are thoroughly sterilized, making them safe for reuse during dental procedures.

While the other options serve important functions in the cleaning and infection control processes, they do not achieve the same level of sterilization. A distiller is used primarily for purifying water by removing impurities, but it does not sterilize instruments. An ultrasonic bath uses high-frequency sound waves to clean instruments, effectively removing debris and contaminants but not necessarily achieving sterilization. Similarly, a washer-disinfector cleans and disinfects items but might not reach the necessary conditions to ensure complete sterilization. Therefore, the autoclave stands out as the appropriate equipment for ensuring the safety of reused instruments through effective sterilization.