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.