Response of human pulps after professionally applied vital tooth bleaching

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate in vivo the microscopic pulpal response in sound human premolar teeth subjected to vital tooth bleaching with a 38% hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) bleaching gel (Opalescence X-tra Boost) catalysed or not by a halogen light source.

Methodology: Twelve pairs of sound maxillary and/or mandibular premolar teeth from 12 to 18-year-old patients were selected and randomly assigned to the following experimental (n = 10) and control (n = 4) groups: group 1: bleaching gel + halogen light; group 2: bleaching gel; group 3: no treatment (control). The teeth were extracted 2-15 days after bleaching and were subjected to routine laboratory processing for histological analysis of the pulpal response under light microscopy.

Results: In almost all specimens of the experimental groups, the pulp tissue exhibited histological characteristics of normality. Only one specimen in each group exhibited some dilated and congested blood vessels among a discrete number of mononuclear inflammatory cells in the peripheral pulp region related to the buccal surface of the tooth. These specimens had a slight disruption to the odontoblastic layer, which characterized discrete tissue disorganization. Some deposition of reactionary dentine occurred in only one specimen of group 2.

Conclusions: Professionally applied vital tooth bleaching with a 38% H(2)O(2) gel with or without activation by a halogen light source did not cause damage to the pulp tissue of sound human premolar teeth.