Effect of different bleaching techniques on enamel surface microhardness

Conservative techniques for treatment of discolored human enamel include in-office bleaching with heat-activated 35% hydrogen peroxide, Nightguard vital bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide, and enamel microabrasion with 18% hydrochloric acid. Objectives: In this study, these bleaching techniques were performed on 30 extracted teeth to evaluate their effects on microhardness of enamel surfaces. Methods: The enamel surface microhardness measurements were performed 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours and 1 week after treatment. Paired t tests were performed in the statistical analyses. Results: No changes were found on specimens treated with carbamide peroxide. There was a significant decrease in the surface microhardness of enamel after 0 and 24 hours when the specimens were treated with 18% hydrochloric acid (softening 85.7 and rehardening 99.4) or with 35% hydrogen peroxide (softening 85.7). However, after 72 hours, significant rehardening was observed in these groups (P .001). Conclusion: According to the results, except Nightguard vital bleaching, all other techniques softened the enamel surface. Keywords: controlled microabrasion, enamel, microhardness, Nightguard vital bleaching, office bleaching