• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.295-300
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• 2010

The aim of this study were to elucidate effects of fluoridated bleaching agents and post-treatment fluoride application on the color and microhardness of enamel surface. Twenty freshly extracted human adult molar were each sectioned into halves, the specimens divided and treated according to four experimental groups: 1, untreated controls: 2, treatment with 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) bleaching agent; 3, treatment with 10% CP containing 0.11% fluoride; 4, treatment with 10% CP followed by a 0.9% sodium fluoride gel application. Group 2-4 were compared with the baseline data. treated 8 h per day for 14 days then immersed in distilled water for 2 weeks. Changes in enamel color and microhardness were evaluated on Days 7 and 14. All the bleached enamel specimens revealed increased whiteness and overall color value. Groups 2 and 4 showed significantly decreased enamel microhardness compared to their baseline. The specimens treated with fluoridated bleaching agents showed relatively less reduction in enamel microhardness than those treated with nonfluoridated agents during the bleaching treatment. The addition of fluoride did not impede the tooth whitening. The fluoridated bleaching agents reduced the microhardness loss of enamel.