title: High-efficiency tooth bleaching using non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma with low concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
abstract: Light-activated tooth bleaching with a high hydrogen peroxide (HP; H2O2) concentration has risks and the actual role of the light source is doubtful. The use of conventional light might result in an increase in the temperature and cause thermal damage to the health of the tooth tissue.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the efficacy of tooth bleaching using non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NAPP) with 15% carbamide peroxide (CP; CH6N2O3) including 5.4% HP, as compared with conventional light sources.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty human teeth were randomly divided into four groups: Group I (CP+NAPP), Group II (CP+plasma arc lamp; PAC), Group III (CP+diode laser), and Group IV (CP alone). Color changes (∆E) of the tooth and tooth surface temperatures were measured. Data were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey's tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group I showed the highest bleaching efficacy, with a ∆E value of 1.92-, 2.61 and 2.97-fold greater than those of Groups II, III and IV, respectively (P<0.05). The tooth surface temperature was maintained around 37°C in Group I, but it reached 43°C in Groups II and III.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NAPP has a greater capability for effective tooth bleaching than conventional light sources with a low concentration of HP without causing thermal damage. Tooth bleaching using NAPP can become a major technique for in-office bleaching in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Anatomy, School of Dentistry, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seoul Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: Hyun Woo
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Soo Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Jae Koo
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young Chan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Gyoo Cheon
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor; D008027:Light; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000737:chemistry*; D011897:Random Allocation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014073:Tooth Bleaching / Q000379:methods*; D058205:Tooth Bleaching Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D058626:Plasma Gases; D058205:Tooth Bleaching Agents; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide