Introduction: Autoclaves are the most dependable and effective mode of sterilization of dental equipment. Various tools are available to assess the performance of the autoclave (physical, chemical and biological indicators). Among these, advent of digital sterilization monitors have created a new window of opportunity to verify the efficacy of the autoclave functioning. An attempt was made to see if the digital indicators can be an effective replacement to the most commonly used mode of autoclave testing i.e. temperature indicator strips. Objectives: To evaluate & compare autoclave efficacy using digital sterilization monitors and temperature indicator strips. Methods: 5 steam sterilizers in the institute were randomly selected for the study. The chosen autoclaves are emptied and prepared to run a full cycle with the digital monitor and the temperature indicator strips placed inside. The results of the digital indicators are then compared with that of the biological indicators for further analysis. Results: 3 out of the 5 autoclave readings showed that the temperature strip colour changes were not correctly matching with a successful sterilization cycle. The readings of digital monitors showed that only 2 out of 5 autoclaves were successfully completing a sterilization cycle. Conclusions: The temperature strip indicators were found to be inconclusive in evaluating the efficacy of the autoclaves. When verified with digital monitors, the front load type of autoclaves were found to be more effective in completing successful sterilization cycles in comparison with steam sterilizers.
