SUMMARY: Objective: To evaluate the influence of pH on the bleaching effect of hydrogen peroxide on chromogen agents. Method: Hydrogen peroxide 50% was mixed with red wine or with an alcoholic solution of tobacco in glass cuvettes, resulting in final peroxide concentrations of 16.97% and 21.12%, respectively. The pH of this mixture was measured and adjusted with 3.3 M HCl solution or 2.5 M NaOH solution to obtain the final pH values of 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0. After mixing, the color of these solutions was evaluated in a reflectance spectrophotometer; readings were repeated after 10 minutes for the wine solution and 20 minutes for the tobacco solution. Ten samples were prepared for each solution at each pH. Color changes (Delta E) were calculated. The data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance one-way and Tukey tests, with a significance level of 5%. Results: There were significant differences among the different pH values for the wine and tobacco solutions (p=0.0001). The Tukey test showed that for both solutions, pH 9.0 resulted in a significantly greater bleaching effect than the other values tested. Conclusion: The efficacy of hydrogen peroxide bleaching is directly proportional to the increase in its pH.

SUMMARY: Objectives: People increasingly desire tooth whitening. Considering the wide range of whitening products on the market, this study evaluated the efficacy of whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses compared with the 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) whitening gel. Methods: We obtained 120 cylindrical specimens from bovine teeth, which were darkened for 24 hours in a coffee solution. The color measurement was performed by a spectrophotometer using the CIE L*a*b* system, and specimens were divided into six groups according to the use of the following agents: group 1, conventional fluoridated toothpaste; group 2, Close Up White Now; group 3, Listerine Whitening; group 4, Colgate Plax Whitening; group 5, experimental mouth rinse with Plasdone; and group 6, 10% CP Whiteness Perfect. After the simulation of 12 weeks of treatment for groups 1 to 5 and 14 days of treatment for group 6, the specimens were subjected to a new color reading. Results: Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (α=0.05), which showed significant differences among groups after 12 weeks for ΔE (p=0.001). Results of the Tukey test revealed that groups 3, 4, and 6 presented significantly higher color alteration than groups 1, 2, and 5. Conclusions: The whitening toothpaste Close Up White Now and the experimental mouth rinse with Plasdone showed similar color alteration as conventional toothpaste after a 12-week treatment simulation. These groups presented significantly lower color alteration compared with whitening mouth rinses Listerine and Colgate Plax Whitening, which showed similar results to those observed after 14 days of bleaching with 10% CP treatment.

The mineral and organic phases of mineralized dentin contribute co-operatively to its strength and toughness. This study tested the null hypothesis that there is no difference in nano-dynamic mechanical behavior (complex modulus-E*; loss modulus-E′′; storage modulus-E′; in GPa) of dentin hybrid layers (baseline: E*, 3.86 ± 0.24; E′′, 0.23 ± 0.05; E′, 3.85 ± 0.24) created by an etch-and-rinse adhesive in the presence or absence of biomimetic remineralization after in vitro aging. Using scanning probe microscopy and nano-dynamic mechanical analysis, we demonstrated that biomimetic remineralization restored the nano-dynamic mechanical behavior of heavily remineralized, resin-sparse regions of dentin hybrid layers (E*, 19.73 ± 3.85; E′′, 8.75 ± 3.97; E′, 16.02 ± 2.58) to those of the mineralized dentin base (E*, 19.20 ± 2.42; E′′, 6.57 ± 1.96; E′, 17.39 ± 2.0) [p > 0.05]. Conversely, those resin-sparse, water-rich regions degraded in the absence of biomimetic remineralization, with significant decline [p < 0.05] in their complex and storage moduli (E*, 0.83 ± 0.35; E′′, 0.88 ± 0.24; E′, 0.62 ± 0.32). Intrafibrillar apatite deposition preserves the integrity of resin-sparse regions of hybrid layers by restoring their nanomechanical properties to those exhibited by mineralized dentin.

SUMMARY: Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the staining behavior of demineralized enamel infiltrated by low-viscosity resin. Methods and Materials: Bovine enamel/dentin cylindrical samples (3 × 2 mm) were assigned into four groups (n=45) according to the enamel treatment: sound enamel (control), demineralization + artificial saliva, demineralization + daily application of 0.05% NaF, demineralization + resin infiltration (Icon, DMG). Artificial white spot lesions were produced in groups with demineralization. After the treatments, color was assessed by spectrophotometry, using the CIE L*a*b* system. The specimens (n=15) were then immersed in deionized water, red wine, or coffee for 10 minutes daily for eight days. Color was measured again, and the specimens were repolished with sandpaper discs. The final color was assessed. Data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests (α=0.05). A paired t-test was used for comparison between staining and repolishing conditions. Results: There were significant differences for surface treatment and dye after staining and repolishing. Immersion in wine and coffee resulted in significantly increased color alteration (ΔE) compared with water (p=0.001). The resin-infiltrated group exhibited the highest staining values (p=0.001). The repolishing procedures resulted in significantly decreased color change. Conclusion: The exposure of specimens to colored solutions resulted in significant color alteration. The demineralized enamel treated with resin infiltration showed significantly higher staining than all other tested groups; however, the repolishing of the specimens minimized the staining effect.