Bleaching Gels Do Not Damage Enamel Surface

Authors of a recent study in the Journal of the American Dental Association have concluded that "home-use and in-office bleaching gels did not alter the concentrations of calcium and phosphorus on the enamel surface of teeth."

They studied 80 people, divided into four groups of 20, who had the bleaching agents applied to their enamel.  They collected enamel microbiology specimens of incisors before treatment, and then applied 10% and 20% carbamide peroxide (usual home use concentrations) and 35% or 38% hydrogen peroxide (in office concentrations.).  Enamel specimens were collected on days 7, 14 and 21 of treatment and again 7 and 14 days after treatment.

Spectrophotometric analysis of calcium and phosphorus concentrations found the bleaching gels did not alter the enamel surface.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP Inc.,
 Diplomat, American Board of Prosthodontics
5060 California Ave., #170
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(661) 325-1275
 www.drtupac.com  

Bleaching Gels Do Not Damage Enamel Surface

Authors of a recent study have concluded that "home-use and in-office bleaching gels did not alter the concentrations of calcium and phosphorus on the enamel surface."  They studied 80 people, divided into four groups of 20, who had the bleaching agents applied to their enamel.  They collected enamel microbiopsy specimens of incisors before treatment, and then applied 10% and 20% carbamide peroxide (usual home use concentrations) and 35% or 38% hydrogen peroxide (in office concentrations).  Enamel microbiopsy specimens were collected on days 7, 14 and 21 of treatment and again 7 and 14 days after treatment.  Spectrophotometric analysis of calcium and phosphorus concentrations found the  bleaching gels did not alter the enamel surface.  

Source:  JADA, June 2012

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309