Purpose:
To examine the effect of different bleaching agents on the solubility and percentage of inorganic components of human dentin and cementum.
Materials/Methods:
Intact teeth were crushed, pulverized, and separated to dentin and cementum powders. The pulverized tissues were exposed to treatments for 15 min and 1, 24, and 72 h with the following:
- 30% H202
- 3% H202
- 2% sodium perborate in 30% H202
- 2% sodium perborate in 3% H202
- 2% sodium perborate in bidistilled water
Results:
- 30% H202 and 2% sodium perborate in 30% H202 treatments significantly increased the solubility of dentin and cementum
- The degree of dissolutions and the percentage of inorganic material remaining in the undissolved dentin and cementum increased with time progression
The greatest increase occurred with 30% H202 and 2% sodium perborate in 30% H202 after 24- and 72-h treatments.
Clinical Significance:
30% hydrogen peroxide treatment may cause alteration in the chemical structure of the dentin and cementum making them more susceptible to degradation.