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The primary purpose of sterilizing dental instruments is to eliminate all microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, ensuring that the instruments are safe for patient use. This process is crucial in preventing the transmission of infections in a dental setting, where the risk of cross-contamination can be significant due to the nature of procedures performed. Achieving complete sterility guarantees that any pathogens that could be present on the instruments are eradicated, thereby protecting both patients and healthcare providers from possible infections.

The other choices focus on aspects that, while they may be relevant to instrument care or appearance, do not address the critical concern of infection control in a clinical environment. Prolonging the lifespan of instruments and preparing them for aesthetic improvement are secondary benefits and do not relate directly to the primary objective of sterilization, which is infection prevention. Similarly, ensuring instruments are ready for manufacturing processes is not directly tied to their use in a clinical procedure where sterility is paramount.