Analysis of the Color and Fluorescence Alterations of Enamel and Dentin Treated With Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydrogen peroxide whitening on fluorescence and color of bovine enamel and dentin. Twenty five dentin discs and 25 enamel discs, with 6 mm diameter and 1 mm thick, were obtained. Direct fluorescence (spectrofluorophotometry) and color (spectrophotometry) were assessed. After fluorescence and color baseline measurements, specimens were immersed in a 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) solution for 1 h. This procedure was repeated after 7 days. Final fluorescence and color measurements were performed after the second immersion. Chemical characterization of 5 additional specimens was also performed. Data were submitted to repeated analysis of variance and Tukey´s test for fluorescence and unpaired t-test for color and chemical components (p<0.05). Fluorescence decreased significantly in dentin specimens after whitening. Enamel presented lower fluorescence than dentin at baseline, but this parameter did not decrease after whitening. Color changes were observed for both substrates, with significantly greater whitening effect in dentin (ΔE=10.37) (p<0.001). Whitening by hydrogen peroxide induced significant decrease in fluorescence of tooth dentin and promoted significant color changes in dentin and enamel with more accentuated outcomes in dentin.

Key Words:
tooth whitening; color; fluorescence; hydrogen peroxide.

Resumo:

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do clareamento com peróxido de hidrogênio na fluorescência e cor do esmalte e da dentina bovina. Vinte e cinco discos de dentina e 25 discos de esmalte, com 6 mm de diâmetro e 1 mm de espessura, foram obtidos. A fluorescência direta (Espectrofluorometria) e cor (espectrofotometria) foram avaliados. Depois da leitura inicial de cor e fluorescência, os espécimes foram imersos em solução de peróxido de hidrogénio a 35% (HP) durante 1 h. Este procedimento foi repetido após 7 dias. E as medições de fluorescência e de cor finais foram realizados após a segunda imersão. A caracterização química de 5 espécimes adicionais também foi realizada. Os dados foram submetidos à ANOVA de medidas repetidas e teste de Tukey para a fluorescência Teste e teste t não pareado para a cor e os componentes químicos (p<0,05). A fluorescência diminuiu significativamente nos espécimes de dentina após o clareamento. O esmalte apresentou fluorescência mais baixa do que a dentina na leitura inicial, mas esse parâmetro não diminuiu após o clareamento. Foram observadas alterações de cor para ambos os substratos, com significativamente maior efeito de clareamento em dentina (AE=10,37) (p<0,001). O clareamento com peróxido de hidrogênio provocou diminuição significativa na fluorescência da dentina e promoveu alterações de cor significativas na dentina e esmalte com resultados mais pronunciados em dentina.

Introduction

Fluorescence is the property of a substance by which it absorbs light and spontaneously emits it at a longer wavelength. In dentistry, fluorescence has been assumed to be the absorption of ultraviolet light (UV) radiation by a substance and emission of visible light in the blue spectral region. According to Spitzer and Ten Bosch ¹ natural tooth emits a strong blue fluorescence under UV light.

In 1928, Benedict ² reported that the fluorescence of enamel and dentin could be obtained by excitation with UV light. Since then, many researchers have studied fluorescence. Hoerman and Mancewicz ³ reported that the phosphorescence of calcified tissues is derived mainly from organic content and the relative fluorescence intensity of enamel is 1/3 of that observed in dentin. Armstrong ⁴ suggested that the fluorescence in dentin may originate from inorganic complexes with some organic compounds. Foreman ⁵ found in dentin two fluorophores, tryptophan and other unknown amino acid. Hafstrom-Björkman et al. ⁶ found no differences in fluorescence between bovine and human enamel, and also that organic and inorganic components of enamel contributed to its fluorescence.

Tooth whitening is a procedure that involves changing the optical properties of dental tissues, such as color, translucency and fluorescence (^{7 8 9}). Assessing fluorescence in teeth submitted to whitening procedures, Gotz et al.⁷ evaluated the effect of tooth whitening on enamel surface and subsurface, including the study of subsurface histomorphology, micro-chemical composition and changes in fluorescence. A decrease in fluorescence was observed after whitening, assessed by Raman spectroscopy combined with laser scanning confocal microscopy. The authors detected the phenomenon, reporting no reasonable explanation, suggesting further studies to understand it. Caneppele ⁸ also observed a decrease in fluorescence after tooth whitening. The indirect method of color assessment for inclusion and exclusion of the UV component of D65 illuminant was used. Jiang et al. ¹⁰ investigated the effect of 30% hydrogen peroxide on human enamel by Raman scattering and laser-induced fluorescence. That study observed a large reduction in fluorescence of enamel after immersion in 30% hydrogen peroxide and suggested that the organic component of enamel is strongly affected by hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide can be applied directly on tooth, diffuse trough tooth enamel to reach the enamel-dentinal junction and dentine regions (^{11 12 13}). In alkaline conditions, hydrogen peroxide acts as a strong oxidizing agent forming free radicals that may eliminate chromophores by either cleaving double bonds in organic molecules or oxidizing their chemical moieties, resulting in soluble molecules ¹⁴.

There is no consensus about the effect of whitening on fluorescence of dental tissues, as well as which components of enamel and dentin are responsible for the fluorescence.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of whitening on the fluorescence and color of the enamel and dentin substrates. The null hypotheses tested were: whitening with hydrogen peroxide does not affect color of enamel and dentin; whitening with hydrogen peroxide does not affect fluorescence of enamel and dentin.

Material and Methods

Specimen Preparation

Fifty extracted, non-damaged and intact bovine incisors were stored in 0.1% thymol solution at room temperature until required. A single enamel or dentin specimen, presenting 6 mm in diameter and 1 mm high, was obtained from the labial surface of each crown using a trephine mill (F.N. Moraes, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil) and polishing paper (Extec, Essington, PA, USA).

Fluorescence Analysis

Fluorescence measurements were performed with the RF-5301 PC (Shimadzu Corp., Kyoto, Japan) spectrofluorophotometer with excitation wavelength at 365 nm. The emission spectrum (400 to 600 nm) was obtained and the value of emission peak in Fluorescence Units (F.U.) and wavelength were recorded using the "peak pick" tool of specific software (RFPC - Shimadzu).

Color Analysis

Prior to treatment, the baseline color values of each specimen were assessed under standardized ambient conditions according to the CIE L*a*b* system, using a spectrophotometer (CM2600d; Konica Minolta, Osaka, Japan) with an integrating sphere. The device was adjusted to use the D65 standard light source with 100% UV included and specular reflection included (SCI). The observer angle was set at 2^o and the device was adjusted to a small reading area (SAV). The color of each sample was measured 3 times and averaged. The results of color measurements were quantified in terms of three coordinate values (L*, a*, b*), as established by the Commission Internationale de l'Eclariage (CIE), which locates the color of an object in a three-dimensional color space. L* axis represents the degree of lightness within a sample and ranges from 0 (black) to 100 (white). The a* axis represents the degree of green/red color, while b* axis represents the degree of blue/yellow color of the sample.

The color was measured over a white (L:84.95; a:-0.38; b:2.93) standard background.

From the color measurements at baseline and those after the whitening procedures, the values of the changes of L* (ΔL), a*(Δa) and b*(Δb) were calculated. Next, the total change color or the variation in color perception of each specimen was calculated, designated by the abbreviation ΔE*ab. This parameter was calculated according to the following formula:

∆E*ab = (∆L²+∆a²+∆b^2)1/2

Tooth Whitening

After baseline measurement of fluorescence and color, the specimens were immersed in a 35 % hydrogen peroxide solution for 1 h and were further washed in running water for 1 min. The whole process was repeated after 7 days.

In clinical situations, enamel surface is fully exposed to whitening agents, while exposure of dentin occurs via diffusion of hydrogen peroxide through the enamel-dentine junction to reach dentin region. In cases of defective restorations or whitening of non-vital teeth, dentin may be directly exposed to the whitening agent. For this reason, it is important to examine the effect of oxidizing agents on dentin and enamel. Thus, in this study was evaluated the effect of whitening on the fluorescence and color of enamel and dentin, by direct application of whitening agent over enamel and dentin.

Between immersions in 35% hydrogen peroxide, specimens were stored in deionized water and 24 h after the second application of hydrogen peroxide, final color and fluorescence measurements were performed.

Chemical Characterization

In order to determine concentration of chemical elements in the specimens, 5 additional specimens of ach group were submitted to energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) (JSM-5310; JEOL, Tokyo, Japan) before and after the whitening procedure. Operating conditions were as follows: 20 kV accelerating voltage, 30-45 s counting times with a 35 mm working distance. The atomic percentage of the following elements was recorded: carbon (C), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and oxygen (O). The following element ratios were calculated for each substrate: C/Ca, C/P, O/C and Ca/P.

Statistical Analysis

For fluorescence, repeated measures analysis of variance and Tukey's test were conducted. For color, ΔL, Δa, Δb and ΔE data were statistically analyzed using unpaired t-test to compare enamel and dentin results. For chemical characterization, t test was used to assess differences after whitening therapy within substrates for each ratio. The significance level was set at p<0.05.

Results

Fluorescence

The overall fluorescence measurements of the specimens at baseline and after whitening for all experimental conditions are shown in Table 1. The cross-product substrate vs whitening as well as the factors substrate and whitening were statistically significant (p=0.001).

Table 1
Mean and standard deviation of fluorescence (F.U.) before and after whitening and results of Tukey's test

• * Different capital letters mean significant differences within rows (p<0.05). Different lowercase letters mean significant differences within columns (p<0.05).

Figures 1 and 2 show averaged fluorescence emission spectrum of enamel and dentin, before and after whitening, at 365 nm excitation.

Figure 1
Averaged fluorescence intensity values of enamel, at excitation in 365 nm.

Figure 2
Averaged fluorescence intensity values of dentin, at excitation in 365 nm.

In both substrates an emission peak of fluorescence was observed in the 440-450 nm region, wavelengths that are near to blue (410-460 nm).

Color

The application of unpaired t-test revealed significant differences of Δa (p<0.05), Δb (p<0.05) and ΔE (p<0.05) for the enamel and dentin substrates, with greater variation of Δb and ΔE for dentin specimens. ΔL was not significantly different (p>0.05). Table 2 shows the color coordinates and differences of all tested substrates.

Table 2
Mean and Standard deviation (SD) data of L*, a*, b*, ΔL, Δa, Δb and ΔE for enamel and dentin

Figures 3 and 4 show the spectral curves of mean values of all specimens, before and after whitening, where an increased reflection in the range of wavelengths near the blue (410-460 nm) can be observed.

Figure 3
Averaged spectral curves of enamel before and after whitening with hydrogen peroxide.

Figure 4
Averaged spectral curves of dentin before and after whitening with hydrogen peroxide.

Chemical Characterization

Enamel and dentin elemental analysis with SEM-EDS was used to assess changes in C/Ca, C/P, O/C and Ca/P ratios after whitening treatment. Table 3 presents the ratios before and after the bleaching procedure. Only Ca/P ratio for enamel substrate presented reduction after the bleaching therapy. The other ratios remained similar after the whitening.

Table 3
Elemental ratios for dentin and enamel before and after whitening procedure and results of t test. Asterisk (*) denotes statistical differences.

Discussion

It remains unknown why and how fluorescence of teeth may change with whitening ⁷, so the effect of whitening on the fluorescence of dental tissues was studied in this report. Dentin samples presented decrease in fluorescence values after whitening. Fluorescence intensity of enamel was 1/3 of that from dentin and it was not affected by the whitening process.

Some previous studies ^{1 15} reported that organic components of dental tissues are responsible for fluorescence. Foreman ⁵ identified two fluorophores extracted from normal dentin and indicated that they are primarily bonded to the organic constituent with possible secondary bonding to calcium. However, Spitzer and ten Bosch ¹ found that enamel has different luminescing entities, which depend on emission wavelength and they concluded that hydroxyapatite does not play an important role in enamel luminescence and tryptophan is responsible for fluorescence. Armstrong ⁴ suggested that the fluorescence in human dentin may originate from inorganic complex with some organic components. In the present study, the significant reduction of minerals detected on enamel and similar mineral content in dentin, after the bleaching therapy, corroborates previous findings that report no influence of hydroxyapatite on fluorescence ¹ and fluorescence in dentin depends on its organic contents ⁴. On the other hand, the mineral loss observed in enamel might have contributed to tooth whitening, as previously reported ¹⁶.

After whitening, fluorescence intensity of dentin samples decreased. Eimar et al. ¹⁷ observed that hydrogen peroxide oxidizes organic structure. Thus, whitening promoted oxidization of proteins and the resulting oxidized proteins could have lost their fluorescence capacity.

Enamel presented lower fluorescence than dentin at baseline, as previously reported by others ³. Moreover, whitening on enamel did not affect its fluorescence. Ten Bosch and Booij ¹⁵ observed that fluorescence in enamel is not due to any specific single component, and fluorescence change may be ascribed to interactions between different fluorophores within the dental tissues.

Some studies about fluorescence of dental materials have been conducted using an indirect method of assessment. The fluorescence is assessed by color measurement with the inclusion and exclusion of UV component of the illuminant D65 ^{18 19}. Thus, fluorescence was evaluated for its influence on color of the substrate. In this study, a direct method (spectrofluorophotometer) was used a. The advantage of this method is that it is possible to choose a specific excitation wavelength and obtain emission spectra for that particular wavelength. Here was chosen the 365 nm excitation wavelength, since emission spectra near the "blue region" (440-460) could be observed (Figs. 1 and 2) ²⁰. Da Silva et al. ²¹ also used a direct method, but they used a spectrometer coupled to optical fiber.

To know the influence of whitening on the color and fluorescence of dental substrates, enamel and dentin were separately analyzed in the present study. The values of ΔL were positive in all whitened groups, which means that L* values increased during the course of the experiment. As with regards to b* values, were observed negative changes, i.e., b* values diminished during the course of the experiment, reflecting in a reduced specimen yellowness in the specimens. Hydrogen peroxide promoted a whitening of enamel and dentin substrates. As expected, strong changes of b* values were observed in dentin and enamel specimens. This is in agreement with previous studies, which observed that both enamel and dentin could be whitened by whitening agents in different degrees ^{8 22}. Moreover, the outcomes also demonstrated that dentin experienced larger color changes than enamel, indicating that dentin was easier to be whitened in direct contact with whitening agent. However, Ma et al. ²³ observed more efficacy of enamel whitening than dentin. And some studies observed whitening effects of dentin specimens, but application of whitening gel was through the enamel ^{22 24}.

The spectral curves of mean values presented for each experimental group before and after bleaching (Figs. 3 and 4) show an increased reflection in the range of wavelengths near the blue, especially in the enamel specimens. These data confirm the higher values of the b* coordinate, as previously observed ^{9 25}. The coloring pigments within an object will absorb different wavelengths of light, allowing other wavelengths to scatter out the object. This selective wavelength absorption and reflection is the color source of the objects. Since blue-green lights are absorbed by the yellowish chromogens within enamel, the reflectance in these wavelengths is lower in unbleached teeth ²⁵. A previous study showed a gradually increased reflectance in the 400-500 nm wavelengths for bovine enamel after the bleaching process ²⁶.

Previous studies found different wavelength excitation and emission of fluorescence for dentin and enamel ²⁷. As regards the tooth, whitening shifts tooth color from yellow to white and reflectance increases in the 400-500 nm wavelengths ²⁶. In the present study, a decrease in fluorescence after bleaching therapy was observed. That decrease, from the perspective of apparent tooth color, would present contrary effect than the one obtained with tooth bleaching. The ideal scenario would be represented by the sum of light emission in the blue range, a fact that would improve bleaching outcomes. Further studies should be performed to understand the interaction of tooth self-fluorescence and color, and also to develop products and techniques able to sum the above-mentioned effects of dental tissues reflectance.

Both null hypotheses were rejected, since whitening by hydrogen peroxide induced significant decrease in fluorescence of tooth dentin and promoted significant color changes in dentin and enamel with more accentuated outcomes in dentin.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Oct 2015

History

• Received
  29 Apr 2015
• Accepted
  31 July 2015