Disinfection and sterilization of composite polishing instruments.
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.
Tate
W H
WH
University of Texas-Houston Dental Branch, Department of General Dentistry, Section of Operative Dentistry, 77030-3402, USA.
Goldschmidt
M C
MC
Ward
M T
MT
Grant
R L
RL
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*
D003188:Composite Resins; D004202:Disinfectants; D007466:Iodophors; D010636:Phenols; D019800:Phenol; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012408:Rubber; D005976:Glutaral