Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials
Published on: July 8, 2021
Low toxic effects of a whitening strip to cultured pulp cells
Diana Gabriela Soares1, Elaine Cristina Voltoline Pontes1, Ana Paula Dias Ribeiro2
1Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Univ. Estadual Paulista, Araraquara School of Dentistry, Araraquara, SP, Brazil.
Purpose:
To assess the trans-enamel and trans-dentin toxicity of a 10% hydrogen peroxide (HP) whitening strip to odontoblast-like cells (MDPC-23).
Methods:
Enamel surfaces of enamel/dentin discs adapted to artificial pulp chambers were subjected to two 30-minute whitening strip applications to obtain indirect extracts (DMEM + bleaching components that diffused across enamel and dentin). The extracts were applied for 1 hour to the cells for 1 or 5 days. A bleaching gel with 35% HP was used as the positive control. Cell viability (MTT assay) and morphology (SEM) as well as the quantity of HP in the extracts were assessed.
Results:
Discrete cell viability reduction (21.9%) associated with slight alterations in cell morphology occurred after application of the extracts for 5 days to the MDPC-23 cells (Tukey's test; P < 0.05). Lower enamel/dentin diffusion of HP was observed after the use of the whitening strip compared with the bleaching gel (Mann-Whitney; P < 0.05).
