What is the best sterilization method for orthodontic pliers?
Chemiclave and Rapid Dry Heat sterilizers are the most useful in preventing corrosion. Chemiclave, which uses an alcoholic solution, reduces rust on instruments, has a short time of sterilization and a low temperature in the sterilization cycle (270F). Instruments may be inserted in polyethylene paper pouches and stored in the office. The major disadvantages are chemical solution costs and fumes. Rapid Dry Heat units were proposed at the end of 80’s, in order to avoid staining and fumes and to reduce time of sterilization using a higher temperature (340F). Instruments can be positioned on the proper racks without packaging. Major disadvantages are electricity costs and light color changes (browning) of the pliers’ metal surface. A study on the effects of these two sterilization methods on orthodontic pliers (3M-Unitek and Ormco/AEZ) showed that RDH seems to produce minimal effects on metal hardness even if these results are less predictable than chemiclave ones (Table 1).
