title: The use of scanning electron microscopy in evaluating the effect of a bleaching agent on the enamel surface.
abstract: In this paper we present the results of an experiment with a commercial gel containing carbamide peroxide (CP) 15% (Opalescence 15% PF), aimed to assess the effects of this bleaching agent on the enamel surface of extracted human teeth, by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Opalescence 15% PF was applied on two quadrants of twelve extracted permanent, decay-free, human teeth, for 3 hours or 8 hours; for four teeth the application was performed once, while for eight teeth the treatment was repeated daily for 14 days (in order to simulate the usual clinical protocol of at-home bleaching). One quadrant of each tooth was used for control and the remaining quadrant was etched for 40 seconds with a gel containing 37% phosphoric acid. No differences concerning the micromorphology of tooth surface were observed by SEM, on the samples treated with Opalescence 15% PF once, for 3 or 8 hours, when compared to the control. Various, mainly minor changes occurred in samples treated with Opalescence 15% PF for 3 hours or 8 hours daily, for 14 days. On the other hand, the acid-etched samples had an irregular surface, which suggests important alterations of the prismatic structure of the enamel. These are the first studies of this type performed in Romania.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Propaedeutics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. ddudea@umfcluj.ro
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dudea
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Florea
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mihu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Câmpeanu
authors.forename: Codruţa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nicola
authors.forename: Gh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benga
mesh_terms: D000077463:Carbamide Peroxide; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010545:Peroxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013499:Surface Properties / Q000187:drug effects; D014073:Tooth Bleaching; D014508:Urea / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D010545:Peroxides; D000077463:Carbamide Peroxide; D014508:Urea