Tooth-whitening treatment with potassium sodium tartrate: a non-invasive method that preserves enamel integrity

Tooth-whitening treatments in modern dentistry often led to enamel demineralization and sensitivity. This study explored potassium sodium tartrate, a piezoelectric material which employs a piezoelectricity effect to gently remove stains, as a non-invasive alternative to traditional peroxide-based whitening methods which chemically oxidize extrinsic stains causing enamel demineralization and sensitivity. Specifically, the research measured stain removal, enamel integrity, addressing common drawbacks of peroxide treatments.

The research was focused on two in vitro studies assessed sodium potassium tartrate efficacy for whitening and enamel preservation compared to carbamide peroxide. In the first experiment bovine enamel blocks (n = 10/group) were stained and treated with prototype toothpastes (2% potassium sodium tartrate, 2% carbamide peroxide, base-only control, deionized water) via simulated brushing followed by a cumulative 3.5-hour immersion to model extended action. Stain Removal Index (SRI%) and Surface Microhardness Recovery (%SMHR) were measured. In the second experiment Stained human enamel (n = 8-10/group) was treated with commercial-type toothpastes, including those containing 2% potassium sodium tartrate, over simulated 1-week and 1-month periods. Whitening was quantified as VITA® Bleachedguide shade changes. Instrument calibration and ethical sample sourcing were as per standardized protocols.

In the first experiment the potassium sodium tartrate and carbamide peroxide groups showed statistically equivalent stain removal (SRI%: 30.06 ± 7.08 vs. 30.02 ± 6.58). However, carbamide peroxide significantly reduced enamel microhardness (%SMHR: -15.80 ± 4.38), whereas potassium sodium tartrate preserved it (0.08 ± 4.06), similar to non-whitening controls. In the second experiment after one month, the potassium sodium tartrate formulation with fluoride achieved comparable shade improvement (4.76 ± 1.51 shades) to the peroxide-fluoride control (4.38 ± 0.58 shades).

In vitro results indicate potassium sodium tartrate could provide an effective and enamel-safe alternative to peroxide-based whitening, meriting further clinical investigation.