Influence of Bleaching Agents on Surface Roughness of Sound or Eroded Dental Enamel Specimens

Purpose:  The aim of the present in vitro study was to assess the effect of bleaching agents on eroded and sound enamel specimens. Materials and Methods:  Enamel specimens prepared from human permanent anterior teeth were incubated with different bleaching agents containing active ingredients as 7.5 or 13.5% hydrogen peroxide or 35% carbamide peroxide, ranging in pH from 4.9 to 10.8. The effect of the tooth whitening agents on surface roughness was tested for sound enamel surfaces as well as for eroded enamel specimens. To provoke erosive damage, the enamel specimens were incubated for 10 hours with apple juice (pH = 3.4). Afterwards, pretreated and untreated dental slices were incubated wi…