Effects of Autoclaving and Disinfection on 3D Dental Surgical Guides: Evaluating Mechanical Integrity and Dimensional Accuracy in LCD Technology for Implant Procedures

Abstract

The utilization of surgical guides can improve the precision of implant placement and minimize procedural errors and their related complications. This research aims to evaluate the impact of disinfection and sterilization methods on the dimensional changes of drill guide templates and the mechanical characteristics of 3D-printed surgical guides produced using LCD technology. A total of 100 samples were produced. Forty surgical guides were fabricated to assess implant drill guides' surface and geometric properties. Sixty samples were subjected to mechanical tests to analyze the materials' tensile, flexural, and compressive properties. Based on each analytical method, the samples were classified into four groups: GC, control group; GA, subjected to autoclave sterilization at 121°C (+ 1 bar, 20 minutes); GB, subjected to autoclave sterilization at 134°C (+ 2 bar, 10 minutes); and GL, disinfected with 70% isopropyl alcohol for 20 minutes. The results show that sterilization at 121°C and 134°C affects the mechanical and geometric characteristics of the surgical guides, while disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol gives better results.