effectiveness of ozone gas as a bleaching agent and its influence on the enamel surface roughness

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this in vitro study was two-fold. First the effectiveness of ozone, as a bleaching agent, in comparison with other commercJaJJy available bleaching products was evaluated by measuring the change in color index of teeth. Second the presence of any surface damages, which may occur in enamel surface following bleaching, was investigated by measuring the surface roughness of enamel as this may have an implication on the functional properties of the surface. One bleaching gel with two different concentrations [Opalescence 10% and 20%], and an Ozone gas [O3] were used in this study. The Ozone was incorporated into 10% carbamide peroxide gel, neutral KY gel and distilled water. Twenty five intact maxillary first premolars were used. The teeth were randomly divided into five groups. Group J was treated with ozonated 10% carbamide peroxide, group fl was exposed to ozonated water, group III was treated with ozonated KY gel, group IV and V were subjected to 10% and 20% carbamide peroxide respectively. For each specimen, a photomicrograph was undertaken before and after treatment by a digital camera attached to a zoom stereo microscope. The tricolor index (RGB system) for brightness index measurement and the surface roughness (Ra) 'were automatically calculated using image analysis software. The value of the blue color parameter was specifically registered.