title: The effect of autoclaving on energy transmission through light-curing tips.
abstract: The authors subjected three groups of curing lights to 25 sterilization cycles to test the effects of autoclaving on the curing tip's ability to transmit light. They also investigated whether polishing the tip at various intervals would reduce the effects of autoclaving on light transmission. They found that autoclaving does diminish the ability of the tips to transmit light, but that these effects can be minimized if the tip is polished at frequent intervals between autoclaving cycles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Medical College of Georgia, St. Augusta 30912-1260, USA.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Rueggeberg
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Caughman
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Comer
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003748:Dental Equipment; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008027:Light; D011874:Radiometry; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*; D013674:Technology, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins