Toxicity and efficiency study of plant extracts-based bleaching agents

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Dental Materials Science
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Tooth bleaching is a highly requested esthetic dental procedure.
• Commercial bleaching agents, primarily hydrogen peroxide, can cause adverse effects like oral irritation and tooth sensitivity.
• There is a need for safer, natural-based alternatives for tooth whitening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the biological effects and bleaching efficacy of four experimental tooth bleaching agents derived from fruit juices.
• To compare these novel agents against a commercially available product, Opalescence.

Main Methods:

• Experimental gels' organic acid composition was analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
• Bleaching efficiency was assessed spectrophotometrically on composite restorative materials.
• In vitro biological testing on human fibroblasts included viability (MTS assay), apoptosis (FACS), NF-kB activation, and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase).

Main Results:

• All tested gels demonstrated physical stability and effective dental bleaching capabilities.
• Experimental fruit juice-derived gels showed significantly better cell viability and apoptosis rates compared to Opalescence.
• These novel agents also exhibited lower lipid peroxidation and enhanced antioxidant defense in vitro.

Conclusions:

• The experimental gel formulations possess a favorable in vitro safety profile.
• These natural-based gels are effective for bleaching composite restorative materials.
• The findings suggest promising potential for natural products in developing dental bleaching treatments with improved safety and esthetic outcomes.