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Effect of various tooth whitening modalities on microhardness, surface roughness and surface morphology of the enamel

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of four whitening modalities on surface enamel as assessed with microhardness tester, profilometer, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Whitening was performed according to manufacturer’s directions for over-the-counter (OTC), dentist dispensed for home use (HW) and in-office (OW) whitening. Do-it-yourself (DIY) whitening consisted of a strawberry and baking soda mix. Additionally, negative and positive controls were used. A total of 120 enamel specimens were used for microhardness testing at baseline and post-whitening. Following microhardness testing specimens were prepared for SEM observations. A total of 120 enamel specimens were used for surface roughness testing at baseline and post-whitening (n = 20 per group). Rank-based Analysis of Covariance was performed to compare microhardness and surface roughness changes. Tests of hypotheses were two-sided with α = 0.05. There was a significant difference in Knoop hardness changes (ΔKHN) among the groups (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.0001). Significant hardness reduction was observed in the positive control and DIY group (p < 0.0001). Mean surface roughness changes (ΔRa) were significantly different among the groups (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.0001). Surface roughness increased in the OTC group (p = 0.03) and in the positive control (p < 0.0001). The four whitening modalities—DIY, OTC, HW and OW induced minimal surface morphology changes when observed with SEM. It can be concluded that none of the four whitening modalities adversely affected enamel surface morphology. However, caution should be advised when using a DIY regimen as it may affect enamel microhardness and an OTC product as it has the potential to increase surface roughness.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Ultradent Products Inc and Philips Oral Healthcare for kindly providing the bleaching materials used in this study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA

    So Ran Kwon

  2. Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA

    Steven R. Kurti, Udochukwu Oyoyo & Yiming Li

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  1. So Ran Kwon
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  2. Steven R. Kurti
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  3. Udochukwu Oyoyo
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  4. Yiming Li
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Correspondence to So Ran Kwon.

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Kwon, S.R., Kurti, S.R., Oyoyo, U. et al. Effect of various tooth whitening modalities on microhardness, surface roughness and surface morphology of the enamel. Odontology 103, 274–279 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10266-014-0163-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10266-014-0163-4

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