title: Disinfection and sterilization of composite polishing instruments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of several methods of sterilization and disinfection on two different types of composite finishing and polishing instruments.
  
  
  METHODS
  The instruments consisted of a proprietary light-cured resin cup impregnated with an abrasive and a silicon dioxide-impregnated rubber cup. Chemical and physical methods included treatment with iodophor, synthetic phenol, glutaraldehyde, microwaving, autoclaving, and chemiclaving.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Glutaraldehyde (Vital Defense-S) was an effective disinfectant; however, other chemical (cold) disinfectants overall, were not reliable. Autoclaving, chemiclaving, and microwaving all provided to be effective means of sterilization.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas-Houston Dental Branch, Department of General Dentistry, Section of Operative Dentistry, 77030-3402, USA.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Goldschmidt
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Grant
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins; D003762:Dental Instruments; D003775:Dental Polishing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004202:Disinfectants; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005976:Glutaral; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007466:Iodophors; D008872:Microwaves; D019800:Phenol; D010636:Phenols; D012408:Rubber; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; D004202:Disinfectants; D007466:Iodophors; D010636:Phenols; D019800:Phenol; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012408:Rubber; D005976:Glutaral