Objective: To evaluate the influence of a 35% hydrogen peroxide gel on color and whiteness changes of resin-based composites (RBC).Materials and Methods: Discs (n = 10; shade A3.5 enamel; and 8 mm diameter and 2 mm thick) were fabricated from three RBC (DF-Durafill, Heraeus Kulzer; ED-IPS Empress Direct, Ivoclar Vivadent; and AP-Amelogen Plus, Ultradent Products). Three subgroups were obtained for each RBC: before bleaching (T 0 ) and after first (T 1 ) and second (T 2 ) bleaching applications. A dental spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade, Vita Zahnfabrik) was used to obtain CIELAB color coordinates and whiteness index for dentistry (WI D ) in all periods. CIELAB (ΔE * ab ) and CIEDE2000 (ΔE 00 ) color differences were also obtained. Perceptibility (PT) and acceptability (AT) thresholds were used to analyze values of ΔE * ab , ΔE 00 , and ΔWI D . Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA; for L*, a*, b*, and WI D ) and one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (for ΔE * ab and ΔE 00 ) were used to analyzed the results (α = 0.05).Results: L* and WI D values from all RBC did not change after bleaching applications (T 1 and T 2 ) (P > .05). There were no significant differences in color differences (ΔE * ab and ΔE 00 ) among all RBC evaluated after bleaching applications (T 1 -T 0 and T 2 -T 0 ; P > .05). Regardless of the RBC, mean values of ΔE 00 between all different periods were always below 50%:50% PT value.
Conclusions:The 35% hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel influences on color and whiteness of resin-based composites. However, color changes were not clinically perceived and whiteness variations were clinically acceptable.Clinical Significance: Patients should be advised that existing composite restorations might not match the natural tooth color after bleaching, and their replacement may be required.
K E Y W O R D Scolor, composite resins, hydrogen peroxide, tooth bleaching, whiteness index