Avaliação de pontas diamantadas sob influência da esterilização em autoclave.

Abstract

Evaluation of diamond tips under the influence of autoclave sterilization. The autoclave sterilization of the diamond burs is a safe and essential procedure in order to ensure an efficient result in the dental procedure. Objective: To evaluate the influence of the autoclave sterilization of diamond burs. The research was developed following a weighing sequence in a high-precision scale, scanning electron microscope analysis and sterilization cycles. Initially, a control group containing five new and non-sterilized 1015 diamond burs (Microdont) were weighed and analyzed using scanning electron microscope. Subsequently, the same diamond burs were submitted to five autoclave sterilization cycles and then were again weighed and microscopically evaluated. Then, the same burs were submitted to five more sterilization cycles, totaling ten cycles, and once again were weighed and analyzed using scanning electron microscope. The photomicrographs were evaluated qualitatively and the data was evaluated qualitatively and the quantitative data of the weighing were tabulated and submitted to statistical analysis. The qualitative analysis demonstrated that the diamond burs suffered structural alterations, and those submitted to a higher number of cycles were the ones which presented greater damages. According to the statistical analysis of the weighing, a difference was not observed in the weight of the burs in the three moments analyzed (p=0,956). It is concluded that the autoclave sterilization entailed structural damage to the diamond burs, occurring structural alteration of the binder and coating of the diamond grains, however did not alter their weights.