title: Low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced tooth whitening: the next-generation technology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the plasma pencil (PP) device in conjunction with H2 O2 gel. The purpose of this study was to determine whether LTAPP delivered using the PP would enhance the tooth-whitening process while causing no thermal threat.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study consisted of thirty extracted human teeth that were randomized into two groups: Group I received LTAPP plus 36% H2 O2 gel at 10, 15 and 20 min and Group II received 36% H2 O2 gel only at the same time intervals. Tooth surface temperature was measured periodically throughout the experiment using a non-contact thermometer. Digital photographs were taken pre- and post-treatment and transferred to Adobe Photoshop for comparison, using the CIELAB Color Value System. Only L* (lightness) values were evaluated in this study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test at the 0.05 level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed a statistically significant difference in mean CIE L* values after exposure to LTAPP plus 36% H2 O2 gel, compared with 36% H2 O2 only, in the 10- and 20-min groups (P = 0.0003 and 0.0103, respectively). The temperature in both treatment groups remained under 80°F throughout the study, which is below the thermal threat for vital tooth bleaching.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Utilizing PP device in conjunction with 36% H2 O2 safely accelerates and enhances the tooth-whitening process.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Hygiene, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Claiborne
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCombs
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lemaster
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Akman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laroussi
mesh_terms: D003116:Color; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012449:Safety; D013696:Temperature; D013821:Thermometers; D013997:Time Factors; D014073:Tooth Bleaching / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D058205:Tooth Bleaching Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058626:Plasma Gases; D058205:Tooth Bleaching Agents; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide
keywords: atmospheric pressure plasma; dentistry; tooth whitening