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Effects of Sterilization on Periodontal Instruments
Author(s) -
Parkes Roger B.,
Kolstad Robert A.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.1982.53.7.434
Subject(s) - sterilization (economics) , dry heat , dental instruments , materials science , dentistry , alcohol , metallurgy , medicine , composite material , chemistry , biochemistry , monetary economics , economics , foreign exchange market , foreign exchange
T he sharpness of surgical instruments is of particular importance to the periodontist. In order to study the effects of sterilization on the cutting edges of periodontal curets and sealers, new sharpened instruments were sterilized 10 cycles with saturated steam, formalin‐alcohol vapor or dry heat. The instruments were evaluated before and after sterilization with a scanning electron microscope. No visual damage to the cutting edges of stainless steel instruments was evident after sterilization by saturated steam at 250°F, formalin‐alcohol vapor at 270°F or dry heat up to 340°F. Carbon steel instruments were not damaged by formalin‐alcohol vapor at 270°F or dry heat up to 340°F. Saturated steam caused oxidation and dulling of carbon steel instruments.