Clinical evaluation of two in-office dental bleaching agents.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the bleaching efficacy and time required for color stability immediately after dental office bleaching. METHODS: 40 subjects were randomly divided into two groups, according to the bleaching agent used:GHP - 35% hydrogen peroxide gel and GCP - 37% carbamide peroxide gel. The color was measured with a spectrophotometer before and immediately, 24 hours, 72 hours, 7 days and 15 days after the bleaching procedure. The color parameters were evaluated and the ΔE*, ΔL*, Δa* and Δb* values were calculated for each evaluation period. The data was statistically analyzed with Student's T-test, one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Regarding the ΔE* values, in the assessed periods there were no significant differences between groups (P≥ 0.05). However, the luminosity (ΔL*) decreased considerably in both groups in the first 72 hours (P≤ 0.05), followed by an increase at 15 days (P≤ 0.05) in the hydrogen peroxide group. Regarding the Δb* values, the GHP showed higher negative alterations in the b* axis in the first 24 hours. The 37% carbamide peroxide gel and the 35% hydrogen peroxide gel were effective and there was no reversal of tooth color within 15 days; however a more accentuated bleaching effect was observed immediately after bleaching. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Rapid bleaching was observed immediately after the in-office bleaching treatment.

The influence of two home-applied bleaching agents on enamel microhardness: an in situ study.

OBJECTIVE: This in situ study evaluated the influence of two home-applied bleaching agents (10% carbamide peroxide and 7.5% hydrogen peroxide) on enamel microhardness. METHODS: Ninety enamel slabs were obtained from human third molars and baseline Knoop hardness measurements were recorded under a 50 g load for 5s. The specimens were attached to intra-oral devices delivered to 10 volunteers (donor of the teeth) who used the devices 24h/day throughout the experiment. The specimens were divided in three groups, two experimental and one control; in the last group, enamel slabs were not submitted to bleaching agents, but exposed only to the action of saliva. Two custom-made trays were made for each volunteer to recover the teeth and the appliances containing the enamel slabs. The bleaching regimen was 1h/day for 21 consecutive days. Subsequently, additional hardness measurements were recorded. RESULTS: The mean values of the baseline and final microhardness were: 348 and 352.2; 346.6 and 354.5; 342 and 340.8, for control, 10% carbamide peroxide and 7.5% hydrogen peroxide groups, respectively. One-way ANOVA of the microhardness mean values revealed no statistically significant differences among groups, the specimens treated with 7.5% hydrogen peroxide has shown a tendency (p=0.056) to microhardness decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggested that the tested home bleaching agents did not change the superficial enamel microhardness.

Flowable composites as "filled adhesives:" a microleakage study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the microleakage at dentin margins of a flowable resin composite associated with an adhesive, either light cured separately or co-cured, in Class V cavities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four recently extracted human molars were prepared with standardized box-shaped Class V cavities of 3.0 mm (mesial-distal), 2.0 mm (occlusal-gingival), and 2.0 mm depth with margins located on enamel and dentin/cementum on the buccal or lingual surfaces. The cavities were randomly assigned into three groups (n=8): Group I - Single Bond + Filtek Z250 (control); Group II - Single Bond + Filtek Flow (light cured separately) + Filtek Z250; and Group III - Single Bond + Filtek Flow co-cured (light cured simultaneously) + Filtek Z250. After being immersed in tap water for 24 h, the specimens were thermocycled (1000x, 5 degrees -55 degrees C, 30 sec dwell time) and immersed in a 0.5% basic fuchsine solution for 24 h. The restorations were sectioned longitudinally and gingival margins were evaluated for microleakage using a 0-4 scale. Data were subjected to the Kruskal-Wallis test at p<0.05. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference at p = 0.0044 between Groups 1 and 3 and Groups 2 and 3 was observed. Although Group 2 performed slightly better than Group 1, no significant difference was observed. CONCLUSION: The use of a flowable resin composite cured simultaneously with an adhesive yielded the worst results in this study. As no statistical differences were seen between Groups 1 and 2, the use of a flowable composite as a means of minimizing microleakage at dentin margins may be questioned.

Dentin bonding: effect of degree of mineralization and acid etching time.

This in vitro study verifies whether there are differences between bonding to hypermineralized dentin and normal dentin and if longer acid etching can improve the bond strength to this modified substrate without damaging the bond to normal dentin. Forty-two extracted human molars with chronic occlusal caries were transversally cut with a diamond saw under refrigeration. The occlusal surfaces were ground until the carious lesion was removed, exposing the sclerotic dentin in the center and polished to 600/grid. A 35% phosphoric acid (3M) was applied for 15 seconds in 15 specimens. SingleBond (3M) adhesive system was applied and a hybrid resin composite (Filtek Z250, 3M) was inserted in four 1-mm increments and light-cured. The remaining 15 molars were prepared in the same manner, but with an acid etching time of 30 seconds. After 24 hours in water, the specimens were cut in two perpendicular directions to obtain a cross section of approximately 0.7 mm2 (n=25). A visual examination was conducted to select sticks between the two groups: sclerotic dentin (G15S or G30S) and normal dentin (G15N or G30N). Sticks without 100% sclerotic dentin (translucent area) or those with normal areas were not tested. Two-way ANOVA computed the mu-TBS data taking into consideration dentin type and acid etching time. The dentin Knoop hardness number (KHN) of the sticks was verified. A t-test compared the KHN data between sclerotic and normal dentin. Twelve additional molars (n=6) were prepared to observe the interface under a SEM. The mean (+/- SD) microtensile bond strengths (mu-TBS) were: G15S=56.4(+/- 14.9), G15N=69.7(+/- 17.2), G30S=63.2(+/- 15.6) and G30N=67.7(+/- 13.3). Two-way ANOVA showed higher mu-TBS to normal dentin than sclerotic dentin. Duncan's Post Hoc showed G15N had higher mean mu-TBS than G15S. Other comparisons were not significantly different. The t-test showed statistically higher microhardness in sclerotic dentin than in normal dentin (p<0.0001). The hybrid layer (HL) formation was observed in all specimens without gap formation in any region. In sclerotic dentin (G15S), the HL was very thin, with minimal resin tags in the dentinal tubules and, when present, they were shorter. Doubling the etching time (G30S) resulted in more resin tags with an HL formation on peritubular dentin. The HL on normal dentin was thicker when it was acid etched for 30 seconds (G30N). Numerous resin tags were present with both etching times. The results suggest that the higher mineral amount in sclerotic dentin makes it difficult to bond to this substrate, resulting in a lower mu-TBS. However, doubling the etching time resulted in mu-TBS similar to normal dentin.

Using opaquers under direct composite resin veneers: an illustrated review of the technique.

UNLABELLED: In restorative dentistry direct composite resin materials can be used to conservatively resolve many esthetic problems. Opaque resins are often necessary to mask discolorations and/or dark backgrounds when restoring anterior teeth. This article presents a direct composite resin veneer technique using opaquers. Potential problems with the tone of restorations after the use of opaquers are discussed. Advantages, limitations, and the clinical technique are presented. Training, as well as attention to the technique, contributes to an acceptable result. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Resinous opaquers can be used as a valid adjunct to the direct composite resin veneer technique when conservatively restoring dark teeth.