Initial and pulp chamber concentration of hydrogen peroxide using different bleaching products

Abstract

Objective: This study’s aim was to quantify the hydrogen peroxide (HP) penetration into the pulp chamber of teeth submitted to different protocols of bleaching. Material and Methods: Ninety premolars were randomly divided into nine groups according to the bleaching agent protocol (n = 10): control (no bleaching), carbamide peroxide 10% [10% CP], carbamide peroxide 16% [16% CP], carbamide peroxide 22% [22% CP], hydrogen peroxide 4% [4% HP], hydrogen peroxide 6% [6% HP], hydrogen peroxide 7.5% [7.5% HP], hydrogen peroxide 10% [10% HP] and hydrogen peroxide 35% [35% HP]. The penetration of HP was measured via spectrophotometric analysis of the acetate buffer solution from the pulp chamber. The absorbance of the resulting solution was determined in a spectrophotometer and converted into equivalent concentration of HP (μg/ mL). To analyze the concentration of HP, the titration of bleaching agents with potassium permanganate was used. Data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey’s test for pairwise comparison (α = 0.05). Results: Higher concentration of HP in the pulp chamber was found in the HP 35% group (p < 0.0001). No significant difference between at-home protocols were observed (p = 0.64). Titration values showed that the concentration of the products was similar to that claimed by the manufacturer. Conclusion: It follows that the amount of HP that reaches the pulp chamber is not proportional to the concentration of whitening gels, but depends on the application time recommended by the manufacturers. KEYWORDS At-home bleaching; Dental enamel permeability; Inoffice bleaching; Tooth bleaching.