Abstract

PINHEIRO, Helena Burlamaqui; COSTA, Karina Gemaque; KLAUTAU, Eliza Burlamaqui  and  CARDOSO, Paulo Eduardo Capel. Effects of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide on enamel morphology. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2011, vol.59, n.2, pp. 215-220. ISSN 1981-8637.

Objective This study used a scanning electron microscope to assess the effects of two bleaching techniques, one using hydrogen peroxide and another using carbamide peroxide, on the surface of human enamel. Methods Ten upper third molar teeth were selected and divided into two groups (n=5). Each tooth crown was sectioned in the mesiodistal axis. The buccal face was bleached and the lingual face was used as control. Thus, five specimens served as controls and their pairs were subjected to the following bleaching techniques: G1-external bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide (FGM, Whiteness HP, Joinville, Brazil) and use of a LED/Laser device (DMC Equipamentos, Whitening Lase II, São Carlos, Brazil) and G2-external bleaching with 16% carbamide peroxide (Whiteness Perfect-FGM). The specimens were kept in artificial saliva at 37ºC during the entire experiment. After the bleaching treatment for each group was completed, the specimens were analyzed by a scanning electron microscope. Results Scanning electron microscopy revealed nonuniform changes in the enamels treated with hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. The degree of morphological changes obtained by treatment with 35% hydrogen peroxide or 16% carbamide peroxide did not differ. Conclusion Bleaching agents in low and high concentrations were able to induce morphological changes on the enamel surface

Keywords : Adverse effects; Dental enamel; Microscopy electron scanning; Hydrogen peroxide.