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An atomic force microscopy study on the effect of bleaching agents on enamel surface
C Hegedüs1, T Bistey, E Flóra-Nagy
1School of Dentistry, University Medical School of Debrecen, Hungary. hegedus@fogaszat.dote.hu
Journal of Dentistry
|October 3, 1999
Summary
Home-use bleaching agents like Opalescence and Nite White can alter tooth enamel surfaces. A 30% hydrogen peroxide solution caused more pronounced enamel surface changes, affecting groove depth.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Dental bleaching agents containing peroxides are widely used for aesthetic purposes.
- Understanding the effects of these agents on tooth enamel is crucial for safe and effective clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of three peroxide-based bleaching agents (Opalescence, Nite White, and 30% hydrogen peroxide) on human enamel surfaces.
- To quantify enamel surface alterations using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
Main Methods:
- Fifteen human incisors were randomly assigned to three groups, each treated with one bleaching agent.
- Enamel surfaces were analyzed using AFM before and after a 28-hour treatment period.
- Bleaching agents were applied in four-hour intervals over the 28-hour duration.
Main Results:
- All tested bleaching agents induced visible alterations on the enamel surface after 28 hours.
- Existing grooves on the enamel surface became deeper following treatment with Opalescence, Nite White, and 30% hydrogen peroxide.
- The most significant increase in groove depth was observed with the 30% hydrogen peroxide solution.
Conclusions:
- Home-use bleaching agents can cause significant alterations to the enamel surface.
- Peroxide-containing agents are hypothesized to affect the organic matrix within the enamel.
- Hydrogen peroxide's low molecular weight allows penetration into enamel, potentially causing subsurface oxidative damage and surface changes.