Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026
Development of Amelogenin-chitosan Hydrogel for In Vitro Enamel Regrowth with a Dense Interface
Published on: July 10, 2014
Stain removal effect of novel papain- and bromelain-containing gels applied to enamel
Eliseu A Münchow1,2, Henry J Hamann3, M Teresa Carvajal4
1Department of Biomedical and Applied Sciences, Division of Dental Biomaterials, Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD), Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
Objectives:
The aims of the study are to prepare novel stain removal gel-based formulations containing papain or bromelain and to investigate their stain removal effect when applied to enamel.
Materials And Methods:
Experimental bromelain- and papain-based stain removal gels were prepared. Next, enamel/dentin tooth samples (6 × 6 mm2, 4 mm in thickness) were obtained from bovine teeth, stained in coffee solution for 1 week, and measured with a digital spectrophotometer (Easyshade, Vita Zahnfabrik) for color assessment (baseline). The samples were then randomly allocated into four groups (n = 7), according to the stain removal agent applied: ContrastPM+ (Discus Dental, LLC), which is based on 20 wt.% carbamide peroxide (positive control); bromelain-based; papain-based; and no agent (negative control). The materials were applied once a week, three times per day, during 4 weeks, and following the directions of use from positive control. The samples were measured again with the Easyshade and using the CIEL * a * b * color system. The color change (ΔE *) results were obtained by subtracting the baseline values from the final color values obtained at each time point. The data were statistically analyzed using two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and Student Newman Keuls's test as a post hoc test (α = 5 %).
Results:
All stain removal agents produced greater color change than the negative control (p < .001), with the positive control demonstrating greater ΔE * values when compared to the experimental gels (p ≤ .004). The second application of all gels resulted in greater ΔE * values compared to the first application (p ≤ .025), although no color change was observed after the third application (p ≥ .051), regardless of the material evaluated.
Clinical Significance:
The proposed gels containing proteolytic enzymes (bromelain or papain) of vegetal origin may hold significant clinical potential as active agents for the preparation of stain removal agents free of hydrogen/carbamide peroxide.
