Performance of composite finishing and polishing instruments after sterilization.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the performance before and after sterilization of Enhance and Min-Identoflex finishing and polishing systems on TPH and Z100 composites.


METHODS
Finishing and polishing instruments consisted of a light-cured resin cup impregnated with an abrasive and a silicon dioxide impregnated rubber cup. Sterilization methods included microwaving and autoclaving.


RESULTS
Performance of the finishing and polishing instruments were affected more by the composite being finished and polished than by autoclaving or microwaving.
Tate
W H
WH
Department of General Dentistry, University of Texas, Houston, Dental Branch 77030-3402, USA.
Goldschmidt
M C
MC
Powers
J M
JM
D003188:Composite Resins; D003762:Dental Instruments / Q000382:microbiology / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003775:Dental Polishing / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008872:Microwaves; D011897:Random Allocation; D013227:Steam; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties
D003188:Composite Resins; D013227:Steam