An energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and SEM study of debris remaining on endodontic instruments after ultrasonic cleaning and autoclave sterilization.
This study was carried out to investigate metallic and non-metallic debris remaining on endodontic files after ultrasonic cleaning and autoclave processing. Forty-eight unused rotary and hand endodontic files, including eight different brands, were tested. Instruments were cleaned with ultrasound, autoclaved and before and after each step were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Adherent debris was analysed by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). All of the instruments before ultrasound cleaning were contaminated with metallic and non-metallic debris. Although most non-metallic debris was removed by ultrasonic cleaning, most of the metallic debris remained even after the final step of sterilization.
Parirokh
Masoud
M
Dental School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. masoudparirokh@yahoo.com
Asgary
Saeed
S
Eghbal
Mohammad Jafar
MJ
D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003762:Dental Instruments; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D019552:Infection Control, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D008670:Metals; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009532:Nickel; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013193:Stainless Steel; D013227:Steam; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods; D014025:Titanium; D014465:Ultrasonics
D003722:Dental Alloys; D008670:Metals; D013227:Steam; C040654:titanium nickelide; D013193:Stainless Steel; D009532:Nickel; D014025:Titanium