In vitro comparison of peracetic acid and autoclave sterilization in the corrosion of orthodontic pliers: a pilot study

ABSTRACT Introduction: The most currently recommended method for sterilization of orthodontic pliers is the autoclave, while peracetic acid has also been shown to be effective in the chemical sterilization process. Objective: This study sought to compare the corrosive effects of peracetic acid and autoclave sterilization process of orthodontic pliers. Methods: Four active tungsten carbide (WC) stainless steel tie-cutting pliers from the manufacturers Quinelato (Rio Claro, SP, Brazil) and ICE (Cajamar, SP, Brazil) were selected. The active ends of the pliers were sectioned, and six active tips were obtained and distributed into the following groups: 1) control group (no sterilization); 2) AC group (two active pliers tips submitted to 100 autoclave sterilization cycles); and 3) AP group (two active pliers tips submitted to 100 cycles of sterilization by immersion in 2% peracetic acid solution for 30 minutes). Results: Chemical analysis using X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy showed that after autoclave sterilization, only the ICE pliers presented oxidation corrosion (Δ[O] = +24.5%; Δ[Fe] = +5.8%; Δ[WC] = -1.9%). In comparison, following peracetic acid sterilization, both manufacturers ICE (Δ[O] = +1.8%; Δ[Fe] = +18.0%; Δ[WC] = -1.1%) and Quinelato (Δ[O] = +5.3%; Δ[Fe] = -10.4%; Δ[WC] = -15.2%) showed corrosion. The morphological analysis revealed that peracetic acid caused a pitting and localized corrosion in both brands, while the autoclave caused uniform surface corrosion on the ICE pliers. Conclusion: Autoclave application was the sterilization method that generated less corrosive damage to the orthodontic cutting pliers, when compared to the immersion in 2% peracetic acid.

摘要
引言：目前临床推荐的正畸钳灭菌首选方式为高压蒸汽灭菌器（autoclave），而过氧乙酸（peracetic acid）也被证实可有效用于化学灭菌流程。
目的：本研究旨在对比过氧乙酸与高压蒸汽灭菌器灭菌流程对正畸钳的腐蚀影响。
方法：选取来自巴西圣保罗州里奥克拉罗市Quinelato公司以及卡哈马尔市ICE公司生产的4把碳化钨（WC）不锈钢结扎切断钳。将每把钳子的工作端截取，共得到6个工作头，并将其分为以下3组：1) 对照组：未进行灭菌处理；2) AC组：2个工作头经100次高压蒸汽灭菌循环处理；3) AP组：2个工作头经100次循环灭菌处理，每次将其浸入2%过氧乙酸溶液中静置30分钟。
结果：采用X射线能量色散谱仪进行的化学分析显示，经高压蒸汽灭菌后，仅ICE品牌的钳子出现氧化腐蚀（Δ[O] = +24.5%；Δ[Fe] = +5.8%；Δ[WC] = -1.9%）。相较而言，经过氧乙酸灭菌后，ICE品牌钳子（Δ[O] = +1.8%；Δ[Fe] = +18.0%；Δ[WC] = -1.1%）与Quinelato品牌钳子（Δ[O] = +5.3%；Δ[Fe] = -10.4%；Δ[WC] = -15.2%）均出现腐蚀现象。形貌分析结果显示，过氧乙酸会使两个品牌的钳子均出现点蚀与局部腐蚀，而高压蒸汽灭菌仅会导致ICE品牌钳子出现均匀表面腐蚀。
结论：与2%过氧乙酸浸泡灭菌方式相比，高压蒸汽灭菌对正畸切断钳的腐蚀损伤更小。