title: Influence of microwave sterilization on the cutting capacity of carbide burs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compared the cutting capacity of carbide burs sterilized with microwaves and traditional sterilization methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty burs were divided into 5 groups according to the sterilization methods: dry heat (G1), autoclave (G2), microwave irradiation (G3), glutaraldehyde (G4) or control - no sterilization (G5). The burs were used to cut glass plates in a cutting machine set for twelve 2.5-min periods and, after each period, they were sterilized (except G5) following the protocol established for each group. The cutting capacity of the burs was determined by a weight-loss method. Data were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The means of the cutting amount performed by each group after the 12 periods were G1 = 0.2167 +/- 0.0627 g; G2 = 0.2077 +/- 0.0231 g; G3 = 0.1980 +/- 0.0326 g; G4 = 0.1203 +/- 0.0459 g; G5 = 0.2642 +/- 0.0359 g. There were statistically significant differences among the groups (p<0.05); only dry heat sterilization was similar to the control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sterilization by dry heat was the method that least affected the cutting capacity of the carbide burs and microwave sterilization was not better than traditional sterilization methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. laizamgfais@foar.unesp.br
authors.forename: Laiza Maria Grassi
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Fais
authors.forename: Lígia Antunes Pereira
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pinelli
authors.forename: Gelson Luis
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Adabo
authors.forename: Regina Helena Barbosa Tavares da
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Caroline Canhizares
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Marcelo
authors.forename: Dalton Geraldo
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Guaglianoni
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003762:Dental Instruments; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D005976:Glutaral / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D013193:Stainless Steel; D002244:Carbon; D005976:Glutaral