Influence of different bleaching systems on fracture toughness and hardness of enamel

This study evaluated the influence of different bleaching procedures on the fracture toughness and microhardness of enamel. The labial aspects of 72 bovine incisors were prepared for microhardness determination. At baseline, Knoop hardness (KH) determination was conducted on each specimen. Moreover, the fracture toughness (FT) of enamel was assessed using Vickers hardness indentations with a load of 9.8 N. The length of both indentations and enamel cracks were recorded and used for calculation of FT. The samples were divided among six (A-F) groups (n = 12) and sectioned, resulting in a control and an experimental half. The samples were stored in artificial saliva for 10 days. The experimental halves were removed from the saliva and subjected to bleaching according to manufacturers' instructions (A: Opalescence Xtra, B: Opalescence Quick, C: Rapid White, D: Whitestrips, E: Opalescence 10%, F: Opalescence PF 15%). Bleaching with C-F was conducted daily (C: twice per day for 10 minutes, D: twice per day for 30 minutes, E: 8 hours, F: 4 hours), systems A-B were applied on the first and fifth day (A: twice for 10 minutes, B: 1 hour). Finally, Knoop hardness and FT were assessed and statistically compared to baseline values using Wilcoxon-tests (p < 0.05). KH and FT of the controls remained stable during storage in saliva. All bleaching regimens resulted in a statistically significant percentage loss of KH (mean + standard error of means): A: 17.3 +/- 2.8%, B: 8.6 +/- 3.3%; C: 83.5 +/- 0.61%, D: 29.0 +/- 1.9%, E: 9.0 +/- 2.91%, F: 5.4 +/- 2.2%. The percentage changes (mean + standard error of means) of FT in the experimental specimens were as follows: A: 3.9 +/- 9.5%, B: 0.1 +/- 4.7%; D: -8.2 +/- 7.1%, E: -18.9 +/- 4.7%, F: -12.0 +/- 4.7%. Due to severe surface softening, FT could not be determined for the samples in Group C. Applying Opalescence 10% resulted in a significant reduction in FT compared to baseline. In the remaining groups, changes in FT were not statistically significant.