Influence of dentifrices containing tricalcium phosphate on dental enamel microhardness, color, and topography

Abstract

Objetives: To evaluate the effect of using dentifrices containing tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) on microhardness, enamel color, and topography before bleaching treatment with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP). Material and Methods: Fifty bovine incisor enamel/dentin blocks (4 × 4 × 2 mm) were randomized into five groups (n=10): negative control (no treatment; C), positive control (35% HP), Colgate Total 12 then 35% HP (CT 12 + 35% HP), Elmex Sensitive then 35% HP (ES + 35% HP), and Bianco Pro Clinical then 35% HP (BPC + 35% HP). Knoop microhardness (KHN) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. The color was evaluated using CIELAB and CIEDE 2000. A significance of 5% was used. Results: KHN was significantly higher in the BPC + 35% HP and ES + 35% HP groups than in the C and 35% HP groups (p=0.0295). ∆L was greater in the groups that received 35% HP than in the C group 24 hours after bleaching (p=0.0001). There was no significant difference between groups in ∆Eab* (p=0.0679) and ∆E00 (p=0.1463) 24 hours after bleaching. Conclusion: Using dentifrices containing β-TCP before bleaching treatment with 35% HP increases enamel microhardness but does not significantly alter tooth color. Clinical Relevance: Dentifrices containing β-TCP in their formulation increase enamel microhardness without interfering with substrate color when used with previous in-office tooth bleaching.