BLEACHING In vitro evaluation of tooth colour modifications using differing hydrogen peroxide concentrations By David Bardwell DMD, MS, Aikaterini Papathanasiou, DDS & Simone Deliperi, DDS Much of bleaching is still an unknown sci-
techniques include the dentist-prescribed in-office booster,
ence. In this study, the authors look at
the home-applied tray delivery system, or a combination of
products on the US market and evaluate
the two. The in-office bleaching technique employs a 15-
the effects of different levels of hydrogen
35% hydrogen peroxide bleaching agent (heated or non-
peroxide on tooth colour modification
heated), while the dentist prescribed home-applied tech-
nique most commonly uses a 10 or 15% carbamide perox-
One of the fastest growing areas of cosmetic dentistry
ide gel. The very slow response to NGVB in some cases
today is the management of the discoloured and/or
(Barghi, 1998) and patients’ demand for faster methods,
hypoplastic dentition. Bleaching is the most conservative
have pushed the clinician to look for easier, more rapid
treatment for discoloured teeth compared to resin-bond-
ed composites, porcelain veneers and crowns. Tooth
The advantage of the in-office procedure is that it does
bleaching has become dentistry’s most popular aesthetic
not require patient compliance and immediate results may
treatment.The exact mechanism of action is not complete-
be seen. The disadvantage is the chairtime and cost to the
ly understood, but theorised. Hydrogen peroxide diffuses
patient, as this procedure usually requires multiple visits.
through the organic matrix of the enamel and dentine
The introduction of very high intensity plasma arc lights
(Bowles et al 1987, 1986; Fuss et al, 1989). Because the rad-
and argon lasers in the market are a result of this increas-
icals have unpaired electrons, they are extremely electro-
ing demand. However, no study to date has demonstrated
phylic and unstable and will attack most other organic mol-
ecules to achieve stability, generating other radicals. These
The authors are based at Tufts
radicals can react with most unsaturated bonds, resulting in
University School of Dental
disruption of electron conjugation and a change in the
Medicine, Boston, USA. David
absorption energy of the organic molecules in tooth enam-
Bardwell DMD, MS is Director of
el. Simpler molecules that reflect less light are formed, cre-
Postgraduate Esthetic Dentistry,
ating a successful whitening action. This process occurs
and is an associate clinical
when the oxidising agent (hydrogen peroxide) reacts with
professor of Restorative
organic material in the spaces between the inorganic salts
Dentistry in the Divisions of both Fixed and Removable
in tooth enamel (Goldstein and Garber, 1995). Prosthodontics and Operative
Since the introduction of carbamide peroxide for home
Dentistry. Aikaterini
bleaching (Haywood & Heymann, 1989; Haywood, 1992)
Papathanasiou, DDS is an
approximately 12 years ago, continued development of
assistant professor of
new techniques and materials with improved properties
Restorative Dentistry. Simone
have occurred (Garber, 1997; Settembrini et al, 1998)
Deliperi, DDS is a visiting
spurning greater case acceptance amongst clinicians. Safety
instructor of Restorative
and effectiveness of Nightguard Vital Bleaching (NGVB) has
Dentistry at Tufts University
been widely reported in several studies (Leonard et al,
School of Dental Medicine
2001; Ritter et al, 2001; Haywood et al, 1994). Acceptable
RESTORATIVE & AESTHETIC PRACTICE VOLUME 4 NO. 6 JULY 2002
BLEACHING TABLE 1:VITA VALUE ORDER
has demonstrated encouraging results (Barghi, 1998; Kugel
by value order (lightest to darkest) and all shades will be
et al, 1997; Papathanasiou et al, 2001). The use of a more
recorded. A relative number was assigned to each Vita
stable and less caustic hydrogen peroxide bleaching mater-
shade (B1-1, A1-2, B2-3, etc., as seen in Table 1). Shades
ial, along with concomitant use of 10% carbamide peroxide
were selected by three independent evaluators precali-
containing fluoride and potassium nitrate may help to satis-
brated at 85% reliability.Teeth were removed from physio-
fy patients’ increasing demand to achieve whiter teeth
logic saline and cleaned with a prophycup and prophypaste
faster with more predictable results. Finally, current bleach-
without fluoride. After being rinsed and air-dried, all teeth
ing methods can offer a conservative, efficient, and eco-
were exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Group I samples
nomical approach to changing the colour of one’s teeth.
were exposed to 7.5% hydrogen peroxide (Table 3), Group
MATERIALS AND METHODS TABLE 2: MEAN SHADE CHANGE
40 freshly extracted caries-free human teeth were used in
this in-vitro evaluation. All teeth were scaled before being
stored in physiologic saline. Teeth were randomly divided
into four groups of ten. Each tooth was coded with the
Group III
group and specimen numbers. All samples were evaluated
for initial shade according to the Vita shade guide arranged
Figures 1 & 2: Before and after bleaching - note shade change Figures 3 & 4: Bleaching on tetracycline-stained teeth
RESTORATIVE & AESTHETIC PRACTICE VOLUME 4 NO. 6 JULY 2001
TABLE 3: GROUP I SAMPLES EXPOSED TO 7.5% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE Baseline
II to 15% hydrogen peroxide (Table 4), Group III to 25%
When all test groups were compared, utilising the
hydrogen peroxide (Table 5) and Group IV to 35% hydro-
Kruskal-Wallis One Way Anova analysis, a p level of >0.1
was calculated, confirming no significant difference between
All bleaching materials were applied on the buccal/facial
surfaces of the teeth, limiting it to enamel only, for 30 min-
Results of this study showed no significant difference in
utes for three consecutive days. All specimens were stored
tooth colour modification when utilising these four different
in saline between treatments. After each whitening session,
concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (7.5%, 15%, 25% and
shade evaluation was conducted for each tooth and
35%).Results of all treated samples yielded an average
recorded, in the same manner as performed initially.
change in shade of 4.7±2.6 for Group I, 6.7±2 for Group II,
Statistically analysis was employed to evaluate results.
5.1±1.4 for Group III and 6.6±2.1 for Group IV. Shade
All groups were compared to determine if statistical differ-
changes were determined from the number of shade
changes on the Vita Shade Guide when arranged in value
order. Statistical analysis utilising the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
revealed no statistically significant difference (p>0.10)
Statistical analysis was employed to evaluate the mean
between all groups. In conclusion, the results of this study
shade change when all groups were compared
showed no significant difference in tooth colour modifica-
TABLE 4: GROUP II SAMPLES EXPOSED TO 15% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE Baseline
RESTORATIVE & AESTHETIC PRACTICE VOLUME 4 NO. 6 JULY 2002
BLEACHING TABLE 5: GROUP III SAMPLES EXPOSED TO 25% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE Group III Baseline
tion when utilising the four different concentrations of
hydrogen peroxide (7.5%, 15%, 25% and 35%).
NGVB using 10% CP has become the standard for
home bleaching and has been demonstrated to be safe and
DISCUSSION
effective when appropriately administered (Haywood,
35% hydrogen peroxide has been the standard for bleach-
1992; Haywood, 1994; Li, 1998; Swift & Perdigao, 1998;
ing of discoloured teeth for many years.
Leonard et al, 2001; Ritter et al, 2001). Conversely, issues of
Tooth bleaching procedures became widely available
safety and effectiveness are still controversial when higher
with the 1989 introduction of dentist prescribed
concentrations (greater than 10% CP) are used. Numerous
Nightguard vital bleaching (NGVB) (Haywood & Heymann,
brands of differing HP concentrations are now available in
1989). Since then, bleaching popularity has increased expo-
the market; with lower concentrations being used for den-
nentially with numerous products available in the market
tist prescribed home bleaching, and higher concentrations
containing differing concentrations of either carbamide
(CP) or hydrogen peroxide (HP). Dentists can choose to
This in vitro study evaluated the effectiveness of differ-
bleach teeth using 5-22% CP and 1-10% HP home bleach-
ing HP concentrations with regard to tooth lightening. Four
ing products, 15-35% HP in office bleaching materials and,
different concentrations were tested in this study. 7.5% HP
as of late, 15% HP and 35% CP waiting room tooth whiten-
(which can be equated to 20% CP) was the lowest con-
TABLE 6: GROUP IV SAMPLES EXPOSED TO 35% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE Baseline
RESTORATIVE & AESTHETIC PRACTICE VOLUME 4 NO. 6 JULY 2001
centration used. It was chosen as a starting point due to
which may result in increased tooth sensitivity. Moreover,
one product presently found readily available to dentists in
Weiger et al (1993) and Price et al (2000) stated that the
today’s market (Day White- Discus Dental). Secondly 15%
greater the HP concentration, the more acidic the pH of
HP (which can be equated to 44% CP) was developed by
the bleaching solution. Morphological alterations in enamel,
Dentsply/Professional for dentist-prescribed waiting room
dentine and cementum are common when teeth are sub-
use (Illumine - Dentsply Professional) (Papathanasiou,
jected to pH’s lower than 5.2 (Weiger et al, 1993; Driessens
2001). Next, 25% HP (not present in any product on the
et al, 1986; Rotstein & Friedman, 1991). Peroxides may also
market that this author is aware of) was considered an
increase microleakage (Crim, 1992; Barkhordar, 1997;
intermediate concentration that deserved consideration.
Bardwell, 2000) and reduce tensile and shear bond strength
Finally, 35% HP, presently the most popular chairside con-
(Stokes et al, 1992; Garcia-Godoy et al, 1993; Titley et al,
centration used for in office bleaching, (OpalesceneXtra -
1993; Perdigao et al, §998) and which may be time and
Ultradent; Hi Lite - Shofu) (Garber, 1997; Barghi, 1998) was
dose dependent. Some controversy does exist in the inter-
national literature with respect to peroxide concentration
The results of this study indicated that there was no
and pH. Are varied concentrations and/or pH responsible
statistically significant difference between the four groups
for these alterations? Future investigation is needed to
when teeth where exposed to differing concentrations of
answer these questions, and to better understand the influ-
HP for 30 minutes in three consecutive days. Even though
ence of HP on tooth structure and restorative materials.
not statistically significant, the individual tooth colour mod-
ifications may be significant from a clinical point of view. An
CONCLUSION
increasing number of patients are asking for dramatic tooth
This in vitro investigation helps us understand the effective-
colour modifications in only a few days. This may be
ness of differing HP concentrations with regard to tooth
achieved by using a combination of in office and home
bleaching, utilising 15% (Group II) and 35% (Group IV) HP
• 7.5% HP was less effective in producing tooth whitening
to boost the home bleaching program. This study demon-
than 15%, 25%, 35% HP, but can represent an alternative to
strated that teeth in groups II and IV yielded greater light-
ening than those in I and III. Average change in II and IV
• 15 and 35% HP produced the greater tooth colour mod-
were two shades lighter than those in group I and 1.5
ification and may be considered materials of choice in
shades lighter than those in Group III. At the time of this
writing we have no explanation for this result. It may be
• 25% HP was not as effective as 15 and 35% HP. Due to
hypothesised that there is more than one range of effec-
its higher concentration and lower effectiveness it might
tiveness with respect to concentrations in which HP is sup-
not be indicated in-office bleaching.
plied for tooth lightening.This may explain the lack of a 25%
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CURRICULUM VITAE BIELLI DATI PERSONALI Luogo e data di nascita: Angera (VA) 31/03/1965 Residenza: Via Adriatico, 23 28100 Novara (NO) Per qualsiasi comunicazione scritta scrivere presso: Ambulatorio Veterinario, V.le M. Buonarroti, 20/a 28100 Novara. Contatti: 0321/624480 (ambulatorio Novara) 335/6687471 (portatile) e-mail SCOLARITA’ Maturità scientifica conseguita presso il Liceo
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