An In Vitro Evaluation of Human Enamel Surfaces Subjected to Erosive Challenge After Bleaching.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate whether tooth enamel bleached with hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) is more susceptible to erosion when compared with unbleached tooth enamel; and whether the presence of calcium (Ca) in the bleaching gel influenced this process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Enamel blocks were prepared from human molars, and submitted to surface microhardness analysis (baseline). Blocks were prepared and randomly divided into four treatment groups (n = 20): G1 and G2-bleached with 7.5% H2 O2 , with and without Ca, respectively; G3 and G4-bleached with 35% H2 O2 , with and without Ca, respectively. After bleaching, these groups were submitted to an erosive challenge with 1% citric acid. G5 and G6 (n = 20, each) were the negative (without bleaching) and positive controls (without bleaching, but with erosion), respectively. The percentage of surface hardness loss (%SHL), the 3D non-contact profilometry and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed.

RESULTS: G2 showed the highest %SHL after bleaching. G1 presented the lowest %SHL in comparison with G2, G3, G4, and G6 after erosion (p < 0.05), which was confirmed only by the SEM analysis.

CONCLUSION: It is suggested that low concentration of H2 O2 with calcium can be recommended for at-home bleaching agents, which may avoid the mineral loss of bleached enamel after an erosive challenge.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Low concentration of H2 02 with calcium can be recommended for at-home bleaching agents, which may avoid the mineral loss of bleached enamel after an erosive challenge. (J Esthet Restor Dent 29:128-136, 2017).