Biomimetic Whitening Effect of Polyphosphate-Bleaching Agents on Dental Enamel

Abstract

This in vitro study investigated the extrinsic tooth-whitening effect of bleaching products containing polyphosphates on the dental enamel surface compared to 10% carbamide peroxide (CP). Eighty human molars were randomly allocated into four whitening-products groups. Group A (control) was treated with 10% CP (Opalescence). The other groups with non-CP over-the-counter (OTC) products were group B = polyphosphates (iWhiteWhitening-Kit); group C = polyphosphates+fluoride (iWhite-toothpaste); and group D = sodium bicarbonate (24K-Whitening-Pen). L*, a*, b* color-parameters were spectrophotometer-recorded at baseline (T0), one day (T1), and one month (T2) post-treatment. Changes in teeth color (ΔEab) were calculated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and the Bonferroni test (α = 0.05). Groups A, B, and D showed significant differences in ΔL*&Δa* parameters at T1, but not in Δb* at T0. Group C showed no difference for ΔL*, Δa*, Δb* at T0 and T1. Group A showed differences for ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, at T2, while groups B, C, and D had no difference in any parameters at T0. At T1, ΔEab values = A > D> B > C (ΔEab = 13.4 > 2.4 > 2.1 > 1.2). At T2, ΔEab values increased = A > B > C > D (ΔEab = 12.2 > 10.6 > 9.2 > 2.4). In conclusion, the 10% CP and Biomimetic polyphosphate extrinsic whitening kit demonstrated the highest color change, while simulated brushing with dark stain toothpaste and a whitening pen demonstrated the lowest color change at both measurement intervals.

Keywords: CIELAB; color stability; enamel; hypersensitivity; tooth whitening.

Figure 1

Mean ∆E_ab values of the study groups. Bar indicates standard deviation (SD), dashed line represents perceptibility threshold (PT) limit and acceptability threshold (AT) limit. * indicates significant difference in mean ∆E_ab between T1 and T2 within the groups (p < 0.05).