The susceptibility of bleached enamel to staining as measured by Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence (QLF).
OBJECTIVE
To report the use of Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence (QLF) to determine if there was a tendency for bleached enamel to take up extrinsic stains more than unbleached enamel.


METHODS
Bovine teeth devoid of stains were selected, the roots removed and enamel gently pumiced. Each tooth was sectioned into two and each half randomly assigned to two groups (bleached or unbleached). Windows were created on each half using clear acid resistant varnish. 38% Hydrogen peroxide gel was applied to the exposed windows of the bleached group for 1 hour. The teeth were rinsed and dried. Bleached and unbleached halves of the same teeth were then mounted on glass rods attached to pot lids using green stick. QLF images were taken. The teeth were subjected to a cycle of artificial saliva, chlorhexidine and tea (2 minutes in each solution). This was repeated 5 times. QLF images were taken at the end of each cycle.


RESULTS
The uptake and progression of stain was detected in all the sections by QLF. Using paired t- test (SPSS) there was no significant difference between the two groups for the change from baseline to the final stain cycle (p > 0.05), however there was variability in stain uptake within the groups as the cycles progressed.


CONCLUSIONS
Bleaching of enamel in vitro does not appear to increase the susceptibility of enamel to extrinsic staining.
Adeyemi
A
A
School of Dental Sciences, The University of Liverpool, UK. A.A.Adeyemi@liverpool.ac.uk
Pender
N
N
Higham
S M
SM
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005453:Fluorescence; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D008027:Light; D016877:Oxidants / Q000009:adverse effects; D011897:Random Allocation; D012464:Saliva, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D013662:Tea / Q000009:adverse effects; D014073:Tooth Bleaching / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*
D016877:Oxidants; D012464:Saliva, Artificial; D013662:Tea; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002710:Chlorhexidine