title: Role of fluoridated carbamide peroxide whitening gel in the remineralization of demineralized enamel: An in vitro study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of self-administered carbamide peroxide bleaching gels has become increasingly popular for whitening of discolored vital teeth. Studies have reported that its use may induce increased levels of sensitivity and surface roughness of the tooth due to demineralization. This study evaluates the effect of fluoride addition to the bleaching agent - its remineralizing capacity and alterations in the whitening properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four extracted lower third molar teeth, with the pretreatment shade determined, were taken up in the study. Each tooth was sectioned into four and labeled as groups A, B, C, and D. The tooth quadrants in group A-C were demineralized; groups A and B were treated with 10% carbamide peroxide gel (group-A without fluoride and group-B with 0.463% fluoride addition) (no further treatment was carried out for group c) group-D remained as the control. The post-treatment shade was determined. The tooth samples were sectioned (approximately 200 μm) for evaluation under a light microscope. The depth of demineralization was analyzed at five different equidistant points. Statistical analysis was carried out with t-tests, accepting ≤0.05 as significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Addition of fluoride caused remineralization of demineralized enamel. The tooth whitening system showed that the remineralization properties did not affect the whitening properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Drs. Sudha and Nageswara Rao, Siddhartha Institute of Dental Sciences, Gannavaram, India.
authors.forename: Swetha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bollineni
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Drs. Sudha and Nageswara Rao, Siddhartha Institute of Dental Sciences, Gannavaram, India.
authors.forename: Ravi Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Janga
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Srikakulam, India.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Venugopal
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Saraswathi Dhanwantari Dental College and Hospital, Parbhani, Maharastra, India.
authors.forename: Indukuri Ravikishore
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, CKS Teja Institute of Dental Sciences, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: P Ravisekhar
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Babu
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, CKS Teja Institute of Dental Sciences, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Sunil S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kumar
keywords: Carbamide peroxide whitening gel; demineralization; remineralization; white spot lesions