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LED/laser photoactivation enhances the whitening efficacy of low concentration hydrogen peroxide without
Joatan Lucas de Sousa Gomes Costa1, João Felipe Besegato1, Joissi Ferrari Zaniboni1
1Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Araraquara, São Paulo State University - UNESP, 3rd floor, Humaitá Street, 1680 - Centro, Mail Box: 331, Araraquara, São Paulo 14801-903, Brazil.
Background:
The association of low concentration hydrogen peroxide (HP) and a light source has been widely used to achieve efficient bleaching. We investigated the colorimetric and microstructural changes of bovine enamel bleached with 6% HP associated or not with a hybrid light source system of violet light and laser (LED/laser).
Methods:
Twenty bovine crowns were used to obtain specimens of 7 × 7 × 2 mm. Then, they were randomized in two groups (n=10): 6% HP and 6% HP + LED/laser. After staining with dark tea solution, three bleaching sessions were performed. Colorimetric evaluation (∆L*, ∆a*, ∆b*, ∆E00 [CIEDE2000] and WID) after 24 hours of each session and 7 days after the final bleaching session was performed. Enamel Vickers microhardness at baseline, 24 hours and 7 days after the last bleaching session were also evaluated. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-test was used at a significance level of 5%.
Results:
6% HP and 6% + HP LED/laser showed satisfactory bleaching results. The group photoactivated showed higher WID values (p<0.05). Differences between groups were observed for ∆E00, ∆L* and ∆a* (p<0.05), except for ∆b* (p>0.05). Intra-group differences were also found (p<0.05). Regarding microhardness, no inter or intra-group differences were observed (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
The photoactivation with LED/laser enhanced the whitening efficacy of 6% HP compared to the group without photoactivation. Thus, the LED/laser activation appears to be a good option when using low concentration HP-based agents. In addition, both bleaching protocols did not cause changes on enamel microhardness.
