ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of temperature on external tooth bleaching. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Human molars and premolars were internally stained and assessed using a standardized tea solution. The mesial aspects of the teeth were assigned to the treatment group (bleaching at 45 degrees C), and the distal aspects of the teeth were assigned to the control group (bleaching at 37 degrees C). An electronic chromometer with a tristimulus color analyzer was used to measure color change. The mean changes in the values of L*, a*, and b* from baseline to posttreatment were recorded, as were the overall color differences of the specimens in each group (DeltaE*). RESULTS: Increasing the temperature to 45 degrees C significantly (P < .05) increased the bleaching efficacy and reduced the time needed to gain a lighter tooth shade. CONCLUSION: A controlled increase in the temperature of the bleaching agent might be useful in achieving better tooth bleaching in a shorter period of time.
Subject(s)
Tooth Bleaching/methods , Tooth Discoloration/therapy , Bicuspid , Colorimetry , Dental Enamel/drug effects , Dentin/drug effects , Hot Temperature , Humans , Hydrogen Peroxide/pharmacology , Molar , Oxidants/pharmacology , Tea/adverse effects , Tooth Discoloration/etiologyABSTRACT
Previous research has shown that the production of volatile sulfide compounds (VSC) by oral bacteria is associated with oral malodor. In the present study, we report a novel technique (microscopic sulfide assay (MSA)) for the quantification of VSC-producing oral microorganisms. The MSA was performed by overnight incubation of saliva samples in the presence of ferrous sulfate and sodium thiosulfate, followed by digital analysis of cells stained black due to cell-associated precipitation of ferric sulfide. This method was found to correlate significantly with oral malodor parameters, including mean odor judge scores (two judges, r = 0.48 and p = 0.001) and Halimeter® readings (r = 0.53 and p < 0.001), in a group of 42 subjects. As compared with odor judge scores as the gold standard, the new MSA technique yielded a diagnostic accuracy of 0.7 (ROC, p = 0.023). Results indicate that the MSA may serve as a diagnostic technique for assessing oral malodor levels and aid in identifying the particular bacteria involved in this condition.
