Wooden Tongue Depressors

1. Sterile Wooden Tongue Depressors
Packaging: Individually wrapped in sterile packaging or packed in bulk with a sterile barrier (e.g., peel-open pouches).

Uses:

Surgical procedures

Sterile wound care

Immunocompromised patients

Hospital settings require aseptic technique

Sterilization Method: Typically gamma-irradiated or ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilized.

2. Non-Sterile Wooden Tongue Depressors
Packaging: Bulk-packed in plastic bags or boxes (e.g., 100 or 1000 pieces per box).

Uses:

Routine oral examinations

General medical check-ups

Craft and DIY projects

Non-critical applications

No sterilization process – supplied as clean but not sterile.

Key Differences
Feature Sterile Non-Sterile
Packaging: Individually sealed or sterile bul, Loose bulk packaging
Sterilization Gamma/EtO sterilized Not sterilized
Cost More expensive Cheaper
Use Case Surgical, sterile procedure,s Routine exams, non-critical uses