Use of a calcium peroxide whitening agent for remineralization and recalcification of incipient lesions.
OBJECTIVE
This in vitro study examined the ability of Forté, based upon co-catalyzed calcium peroxide and carbamide peroxide (CaCP), to remineralize and recalcify pre-existing incipient lesions in tooth enamel, renewing the teeth while they are being whitened.


METHODS
Artificial lesions to 70-100 micrometers depth were created, simulating in vivo conditions. Calcium concentrations were determined by micro drill, and surface hardness was determined using a Leco Indenter. Remineralization and calcium uptake were determined by comparing the surface hardness and calcium concentration of subsurface incipient lesions in extracted human teeth before and after a whitening treatment, and also comparing to a non-whitening control (saliva).


RESULTS
Specimens treated with the CaCP whitening gels had a significant calcium uptake of 33,000 micrograms of calcium/gram of enamel measured to a depth of 100 micrometers, and had corresponding increases in surface hardness, from a Vickers Hardness Number of 40 VHN to a value of 83 VHN.


CONCLUSIONS
Recalcifying incipient lesions to clinically significant depths, and improving the surface hardness of enamel while performing a popular cosmetic bleaching service, compares favorably with losses of calcium and decreased enamel surface hardness, as reported in studies of many conventional whitening agents.
Schemehorn
Bruce R
BR
Dental Product Testing, Indiana University Emerging Technologies Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Novak
Edwin D
ED
D002118:Calcium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000077463:Carbamide Peroxide; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000378:metabolism; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005782:Gels; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D016877:Oxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010545:Peroxides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014073:Tooth Bleaching / Q000379:methods*; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000188:drug therapy; D014089:Tooth Remineralization / Q000379:methods*; D014508:Urea / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004338:Drug Combinations; C527757:Forte whitening agent; D005782:Gels; D016877:Oxidants; D010545:Peroxides; D000077463:Carbamide Peroxide; C403632:calcium peroxide; D014508:Urea; D002118:Calcium