The effects of sterilization techniques on the properties of intracanal instruments

Three common sterilization techniques, namely, autoclaving (15 and 25 minutes at 250 degrees F.), salt sterilization (5 and 10 seconds at 480 degrees F.), and dry heat (one hour at 340 degrees F.), were used to sterilize 420 root canal reamers and files, both carbon and stainless steel. These intracanal instruments were then tested in tension. An extra eighty-four intracanal instruments were tested without being subjected to any sterilization techniques and served as controls. It was found that carbon steel intracanal instruments were affected more by the different modes of sterilization than were the stainless steel instruments. Time of sterilization did not seem to have an effect on the properties of either instrument.