title: Pathological evaluation for sterilization of routinely used prosthodontic and endodontic instruments.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In daily practice of dentistry, we use same instruments on many patients. Before use, all instruments must be cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized to prevent any contamination. Pre-cleaning and sterilization of some devices can be difficult because of their small size and complex architecture. Dental burs and endodontic files are such instruments. Dental burs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, all with highly complex and detailed surface features.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of various disinfectants and sterilization techniques for disinfection and resterilization of dental burs and endodontic files.
  
  
  METHODS
  The materials used for the study were dental burs and endodontic files. Disinfectants used were Quitanet plus, glutaraldehyde, glass-bead sterilizer, and autoclave. The sterility of used dental burs and endodontic files was analyzed. Burs and files that had been used were pre-cleaned, resterilized, and then tested for various pathogens. Each item was transferred by sterile technique into Todd-Hewitt broth, incubated at 37°C for 72 h, and observed for bacterial growth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The present study shows that the endodontic files and burs sterilized by autoclaving and glutaraldehyde showed complete sterilization. Burs and files immersed in glutaraldehyde (2.4%) for 12 h showed complete sterilization, whereas Quitanet plus solution and glass-bead sterilizer showed incomplete sterilization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study results indicate that autoclaving and glutaraldehyde (2.4%) showed complete sterilization. Other methods cannot be relied upon for sterilization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Sridevi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital, Tumkur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: K Vinay
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Melaka Manipal Medical College, Melaka, Malaysia.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kiran Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, Maggula, Virajpet, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Supreetha
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, SJM Dental College and Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Raghu
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, SJM Dental College and Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Anusha Channabasappa
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Veerabhadrappa
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Ashok Multispeciality Dental Clinic, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deepthi
keywords: Disinfection; Todd-Hewitt broth; micro-organisms; sterilization