Effect of Tooth-whitening Procedures on Stained Nanohybrid Composites: Spectrophotometric Analysis

Ab s t r Ac t Aim: To evaluate and compare the staining of a nanohybrid composite resin by coffee and turmeric powder and to determine the degree of lightening that could be achieved by using contemporary self-applied at-home products and in-office whitening techniques. Materials and methods: Thirty-six samples of standardized dimensions (10 mm diameter, 2 mm thick disks) were fabricated using GC solare sculpt A2 shade. The color of each specimen was measured (L, a, b values) at baseline with SpectroShade Micro. Samples were randomly allocated into three groups of coffee, turmeric solution, distilled water, and placed in 50 mL of each test solution. The color of each specimen was measured (L, a, b values) after 7 days to determine the color change. Each group was further divided into four subgroups according to the whitening treatment. Subgroup A—crest 3D white toothpaste (applied twice daily for 7 days), subgroup B—Polanight (45 minutes a day for 4 days), subgroup C—polaoffice (8 minutes each for three times), and subgroup D—Shofu polishing kit (applied once). After placing all specimens in distilled water for 24 hours, the color was measured again using a spectrophotometer. The effectiveness of whitening protocols was assessed by subtracting baseline color index values from those measured after whitening. Results: Group II (turmeric solution) showed greater color change (ΔE) after staining for 1 week. There was significant difference in color changes imparted following whitening treatments with crest 3D white toothpaste after staining with coffee and turmeric solution. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it was observed that the whitening treatment with crest 3D white toothpaste is an effective method for reversing the color changes imparted by coffee and turmeric on the nanohybrid composite resin. Clinical significance: A composite resin stained by coffee and turmeric can be lightened to a clinically perceptible level by crest 3D white toothpaste.