Effect of peroxide-based bleaching agents on enamel ultimate tensile strength

This study evaluated the effects of peroxide bleaching regimens on the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of human enamel. A resin composite block was built-up on the bonded occlusal surface of 14 extracted, sound, erupted third molars to enable posterior preparation for the microtensile test. The bonded teeth were serially sectioned in a buccal-lingual direction into approximately 0.7-mm thick slices. Each slice was trimmed with a fine diamond bur to reduce the area of the buccal, internal slope of the cusps to a dumb-bell shape with a cross-sectional area of less than 1 mm2. The samples were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 10): unbleached control group and bleached groups treated with six bleaching regimens. The specimens were tested in tension at 0.5 mm/minute and the data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test. Specimens from the control group presented 51.3 +/- 8.6 MPa, while the UTS of bleached enamel ranged from 22.0 +/- 5.6 to 36.3 +/- 9.1 MPa. All bleaching procedures significantly reduced enamel UTS (p < 0.05). Differences were also observed among treatments. The results suggested that bleaching regimens can significantly reduce enamel UTS.