IADR Abstract Archives
Effect of Sterilisation Techniques on Endodontic Sealers
Objectives: This study aims to analyse the influence of sterilization techniques on the microstructure and chemical properties of endodontic sealers prior to antimicrobial testing. Initial microbial contamination on the material was also assessed.
Methods: The materials investigated were AH Plus, BioRoot RCS, BioRoot Flow and TotalFill. The materials were either prepared in sterile conditions in laminar flow chamber or in open lab. Each group was further divided into 5 groups based on type of sterilization technique used to sterilize the sealer. The sterilization methods included ethanol (10 minutes), ultraviolet light (1 hour), ethanol (10 minutes) followed by ultraviolet light (1 hour), autoclave and no sterilization (control). The materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy before and after sterilization, to assess any changes in microstructure and chemical composition. Microbial levels in the materials were assessed by plate streaking technique.
Results: Microstructurally, autoclave and ethanol caused deterioration to the material surface of AH Plus. Furthermore, some surface deposits were seen when BioRoot RCS was autoclaved. Ultraviolet increased porosity of the material while ethanol plus ultraviolet seemed to be more destructive to the surface of BioRoot RCS. BioRoot Flow showed some cracking and increased porosity with ethanol plus ultraviolet. TotalFill depicted no major changes.
Chemically, AH Plus and BioRoot RCS depicted changes in water and alcohol peaks whereas TotalFill and BioRoot Flow appeared to be unaffected by sterilization.
All the materials exhibited no contamination when prepared in laminar flow chamber in sterile conditions as compared to sealers prepared in open lab.
Conclusions: Different sterilization techniques affected the microstructure and chemical composition of the materials under investigation. It is recommended to check material sterility prior to use and if sterile, avoid sterilization techniques, as these may affect the material properties.
Methods: The materials investigated were AH Plus, BioRoot RCS, BioRoot Flow and TotalFill. The materials were either prepared in sterile conditions in laminar flow chamber or in open lab. Each group was further divided into 5 groups based on type of sterilization technique used to sterilize the sealer. The sterilization methods included ethanol (10 minutes), ultraviolet light (1 hour), ethanol (10 minutes) followed by ultraviolet light (1 hour), autoclave and no sterilization (control). The materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy before and after sterilization, to assess any changes in microstructure and chemical composition. Microbial levels in the materials were assessed by plate streaking technique.
Results: Microstructurally, autoclave and ethanol caused deterioration to the material surface of AH Plus. Furthermore, some surface deposits were seen when BioRoot RCS was autoclaved. Ultraviolet increased porosity of the material while ethanol plus ultraviolet seemed to be more destructive to the surface of BioRoot RCS. BioRoot Flow showed some cracking and increased porosity with ethanol plus ultraviolet. TotalFill depicted no major changes.
Chemically, AH Plus and BioRoot RCS depicted changes in water and alcohol peaks whereas TotalFill and BioRoot Flow appeared to be unaffected by sterilization.
All the materials exhibited no contamination when prepared in laminar flow chamber in sterile conditions as compared to sealers prepared in open lab.
Conclusions: Different sterilization techniques affected the microstructure and chemical composition of the materials under investigation. It is recommended to check material sterility prior to use and if sterile, avoid sterilization techniques, as these may affect the material properties.