Comparison of the effects of two different sterilization methods on tensile strength of elastomeric modules

Elastomeric modules are used to hold archwires within orthodontic brackets. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of commonly used sterilization methods on strength of elastomeric modules because it is necessary to sterilize elastomeric modules.
In the present in vitro study, grey elastomeric modules with the same inner and outer diameters from three manufactories (American Orthodontics, Orthoorganizer and Orthotechnology) were evaluated in three groups (n=10). In group 1 (control group) no sterilization procedure was carried out; the specimens in group 2 were sterilized by autoclave (121 °C, 15 pounds of PSI, 15 minutes); and the specimens in group 3 were sterilized by %2 glutaraldehyde (25°C, 3 hours). Then the tensile strength of the specimens was measured using Zwick testing machine. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Duncan test at a significance level of α=0.05.
The samples in group 3 exhibited the highest tensile strength (Orthoorganizer:1625.088 g, American Orthodontics: 2319.957 g and Orthotechnology: 1828.061 g), while the samples in group 2 had lower tensile strength (Orthoorgonizer: 1479.718 g, American Orthodontics: 2081.352 g and Orthotechnology: 1803.190 g); finally, the samples in the control group exhibited the least tensile strength (Orthoorganizer:1414.661 g, American Orthodontics: 1840.661 g and Orthotechnology: 1567.627 g).
Sterilization with autoclave and glutaraldehyde increased the tensile strength of elastomeric modules, with greater increase in tensile strength with the use of glutaraldehyde compared to autoclave.