Overview
ISO 15087:2025 - Dentistry - Dental elevators is the consolidated international standard that specifies general requirements and test methods for metallic dental elevators. The first edition merges previous parts into a single document and defines material, mechanical, dimensional and reprocessing requirements for common elevator types including Warwick James, Cryer, Coupland, Bein and Flohr. The standard is harmonized with ISO 4865-1 and references other normative documents for materials and testing.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and instrument types: Dimensional and design requirements are given for five specific elevator types (Warwick James, Cryer, Coupland, Bein, Flohr); other forms are acknowledged.
- Materials: Working parts shall be martensitic stainless steel (grades a, g, c or f) per ISO 7153-1 or materials listed in ISO 21850-1. Handle materials follow ISO 4865-1:2023.
- Hardness and surface finish: Vickers hardness for the working part is 480–720 HV1, tested per ISO 4865-1. Surface finish requirements reference ISO 4865-1.
- Mechanical strength:
- Tensile requirement: Connection between working part and handle shall not loosen under 1 000 N applied for 5 s (parallel to handle centreline).
- Torque requirement: Connection shall withstand 5 N·m for 5 s without loosening.
- Hollow-handle integrity and leak testing: Hollow handles must show no bubbles (indicating leakage) under specified tests. The standard includes specific tests such as heated oil and ultrasonic leak tests (see Clause 5.7).
- Dimensional requirements: Overall length ranges and detailed blade/shank dimensions are specified. Examples:
- Warwick James: overall length 135–160 mm; typical blade widths ~2.2 mm, blade thickness ~1.7 mm.
- Cryer: overall length 145–170 mm; typical blade widths ~1.8 mm, blade length features and offset angles specified in tables and figures.
- Reprocessing resistance: Requirements for resistance to cleaning and sterilization reference ISO 4865-1 and ISO 17664-1 for processing information.
- Marking, labelling and instructions for use: Packaging and user information provisions are included.
Applications and who uses it
ISO 15087 is primarily used by:
- Dental instrument manufacturers and designers for product specification, design verification and quality control.
- Regulatory and procurement teams assessing compliance and acceptance criteria for metallic dental elevators.
- Sterilization and reprocessing professionals to ensure instruments withstand cleaning and reuse cycles.
- Dental clinics and hospitals for purchasing standards and safe use guidance.
- Testing laboratories performing mechanical, hardness and leak tests.
Keywords: ISO 15087, dental elevators, Warwick James elevator, Cryer elevator, Coupland elevator, dental instruments standard, metallic dental elevators, Vickers hardness, reprocessing, dimensional requirements.
Related standards
- ISO 4865-1:2023 - General requirements of hand instruments (non‑hinged)
- ISO 7153-1 - Surgical instruments - Materials (metals)
- ISO 21850-1 - Dentistry - Materials for dental instruments (stainless steel)
- ISO 17664-1 - Processing information for medical devices
- ISO 1942 - Dentistry vocabulary
