The Effect of Diode LASER Activated Tooth Bleaching versus Chemical Tooth Bleaching on surface morphology and chemical profile of Human Maxillary Central Incisor’s enamel (in vitro study)

Abstract

Teeth whitening procedures continue to grow in popularity due to the increased desire for whiter teeth with increasing number of articles being published on the subject in the popular press and on television in regular intervals. This has resulted in renewed interest from the dental profession in the process of teeth whitening, as the procedure itself is relatively simple and non-invasive to carry out. Current bleaching systems are based primarily on hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The chemical bleaching systems usually exist in a form of a gel which is applied on the tooth surface and activated to form free radical ions. Long-chained molecules that "stain" the tooth react with the free radicals, altering the optical structure of the molecule and creating different optical structure. Although tooth bleaching is effective in lightening tooth color, concerns have been expressed regarding to associate post-bleaching complications including alteration in the surface morphology of enamel, changes in its chemical composition, and notable changes in its mechanical properties. The patient population, always enthralled by LASER, was very keen to try LASER bleaching, which was promoted as a procedure superior to earlier bleaching methods. LASERs are intended to enhance the efficiency of bleaching materials. This serves to increase and speed the release of the oxygen ions into the stained tooth surface. The present study aimed to compare the effect of chemical tooth bleaching and diode LASER activated tooth bleaching on enamel surface and subsurface of extracted human maxillary central incisors through evaluating morphological and chemical profile changes of enamel surface and subsurface, using Scanning Electron Microscope attached with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analyzer.