Comparative Evaluation of Preformed Stainless Steel Crown's Crazing at Different Autoclave Cycles

AIM: The study aimed to assess and compare the crazing of preformed stainless steel (SS) crowns at various autoclave cycles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Around 15 SS crowns were subjected to zero (unsterilized), one, three, five, and seven autoclave cycles at 121°C, 15 psi for 20 minutes. After each autoclave cycle, the mesial surface of each crown from occlusal to cervical portions was examined under a 40× stereomicroscope. Crazing was evaluated using Wickersham's criteria. RESULTS: One autoclave cycle does not produce any cracks, whereas the higher the number of autoclave cycles, the higher the cracks, which affects the prognosis of the SS crown treatment. CONCLUSION: Surface alterations of SS crowns after different autoclave cycles were significant. So, preformed SS crowns should be discarded after sterilizing once or twice during clinical practice. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Sowkarthicaa P, Mathian VM, Gawthaman M, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Preformed Stainless Steel Crown's Crazing at Different Autoclave Cycles. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-1):S77–S80.