Effects of 10% carbamide peroxide treatment and sodium fluoride therapies on human enamel surface microhardness

This study sought to evaluate the microhardness of enamel submitted to 10% carbamide peroxide treatment and different methods of remineralization involving sodium fluoride (NaF). Non-erupted third molars were used and 75 enamel blocks with standardized dimensions (4.0 x 4.0 x 2.0 mm) were obtained. Enamel blocks were randomly divided into five groups (n = 15): one control (no bleaching and no fluoride treatment), one receiving a 10% carbamide peroxide treatment, one receiving 10% carbamide peroxide plus acidulated phosphate fluoride, one receiving 10% carbamide peroxide with 0.2% NaF, and one receiving 10% carbamide peroxide and 0.05% NaF. There were no differences among four of the groups (p > 0.05); the group receiving 10% carbamide peroxide only was different from all other groups (p < 0.05). Based on these results, NaF therapies are recommended during carbamide peroxide bleaching treatments.