Evaluación de la corrosión en cortadores de ligadura ortodonticos sometidos a métodos de esterilización y desinfección

Abstract

Objectives: Infection control measures are important to prevent cross contamination. In orthodontics, semicritical instruments are used, those that must have a sterilization or disinfection process after each use. These methods are disputed since they are said to result in an unfavorable occurrence of corrosion and reduction in the quality of the instruments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate corrosion in ligature cutters subjected to autoclaving versus high-level disinfection in 2% glutaraldehyde methods. Methods: There were 9 ligature cutters from three different commercial brands that were used: Ix, Td, Oe. The study included; a control group and two experimental groups with autoclaves and 2% glutaraldehyde, that were subjected to 60 cycles administered in intervals of 20 cycles in total being evaluated at four different times. The active part was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, the corrosion rate was evaluated by carrying out electrochemical tests of resistance to linear polarization (LPR) and polarization curves (TAFEL), using potentiostat / galvanostat. Results: The cutters that contain chromium within their composition are more resistant to sterilization / disinfection procedures; chemical disinfection when using substances with an acidic pH, is more aggressive than autoclave sterilization. Significance: It is indicated that cutters with high chromium content have greater resistance to corrosion but the study shows that chemical disinfectants with a neutral pH, following the manufacturers recommendations for the use of instruments use and implemented mechanisms.