The effect of sterilization and disinfection on the physical-mechanical properties of preformed crowns.

INTRODUCTION: Different sizes of crowns may be tried on children since there is no universal crown size because of distinctions in tooth morphology from one child to other. During the process of trial and error, the crown gets contaminated which needs to be sterilized for reuse of crown. This study was carried out to evaluate the physical-mechanical outcome after the sterilization and disinfection of pediatric preformed crowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, sixty crowns consisted of 20 each, stainless steel crowns (SSCs) (3M ESPE), preveneered stainless steel (Kinder Krowns), and Zirconia crowns (Kinder Krowns) which were divided into four groups. G1 in which crowns did not undergo any sterilization, G2 consisted of fast sterilization, similarly G3 was slow sterilization, and G4 underwent chemical disinfection using Korsolex Plus for 15 min. Following sterilization, all the crown samples were observed under a stereomicroscope at x200 magnification and assessed for color change, crazing, dimensional stability, and fracturing. Post hoc Tukey test and two-way ANOVA were performed for comparison between types of crowns and sterilization methods, with a significance level was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: There was no color change or fracturing following sterilization among crowns in any of the groups. Highest crazing was noted in stainless steel and the least in Zirconia crowns. Preveneered stainless steel was the most dimensionally stable and SSCs was the least. CONCLUSION: No color changes and fracture were noted in any type of crowns. Preveneered stainless steel was most dimensionally stable followed by Zirconia and SSCs. Maximum crazing was seen in SSCs and nil in Zirconia.