ABSTRACT
Objective:
Considering that different sources of carbamide peroxide bleaching agent may cause greater or lesser damage to the enamel and may have reduced effectiveness in dental whitening, the aim of this study was to compare the effects on the structure of enamel of two bleaching agents, drugstore-compounded and commercial carbamide peroxide bleaching agents.
Methods:
The specimens in the first group (drugstore-compounded carbamide peroxide) and second group (commercial carbamide peroxide) were treated with to 16% carbamide peroxide for 4 h per day for 20 days. The third group served as a control and was kept in artificial saliva during the test period. After the treatments, all specimens were examined via scanning electron microscopy.
Results:
Changes in the enamel morphology were similar in both experimental groups, but these changes were greater than those observed in the control group. The changes were mild and included only pores.
Conclusion:
There were no differences regarding damage to the enamel between drugstore-compounded and commercial carbamide peroxide bleaching agents.
Indexing terms:
Dental enamel; Microscopy, electron, scanning; Tooth bleaching
