Division of Operative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Piracicaba School of Dentistry, University of Campinas, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil
Rochelle D. Hiers
Division of Dental Biomaterials, Department of Restorative Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
Yan D. Zhao
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
Mayara Z. D. Picolo
Division of Operative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Piracicaba School of Dentistry, University of Campinas, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil
Jessica Hsieh
Division of Dental Biomaterials, Department of Restorative Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
Sharukh S. Khajotia
Division of Dental Biomaterials, Department of Restorative Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
Fernando L. Esteban Florez
Division of Dental Biomaterials, Department of Restorative Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
Vanessa Cavalli
Division of Operative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Piracicaba School of Dentistry, University of Campinas, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil
The present study reports on the development and testing of novel bleaching agents containing co-doped metaloxide nanoparticles (NP; 0%, 5%, 10% v/w) and hydrogen peroxide (HP, 0%, 6%, 15%, and 35%). Bovine blocks (n = 200, A = 36 mm2) were obtained and randomly distributed into experimental groups (n = 10/group). NPs were incorporated into gels before bleaching (3 sessions, 7 days apart, 30 min/session, irradiated with violet light-LT). Color changes (ΔE00, ΔWID), mineral content (CO32−, PO43−), and topography were assessed (spectrophotometer, ATR-FTIR, and AFM) before and after bleaching procedures (14 days). Metabolic status and three-dimensional components of non-disrupted Streptococcus mutans biofilms were investigated using a multimode reader and confocal microscopy. The results indicate that ΔE00 and ΔWID significantly increased with NPs’ concentrations and LT. The enamel’s mineral ratio was adversely impacted by HP, but alterations were less pronounced when using NP-containing gels. The enamel’s topography was not damaged by the bleaching protocols tested. The bioluminescence results show that bleaching protocols do not render latent antibacterial properties to enamel, and the confocal microscopy results demonstrate that the 3-dimensional distribution of the components was affected by the protocols. The proposed nanotechnology improved the bleaching efficacy of experimental materials independent of hydrogen peroxide or irradiation and did not adversely impact the enamel’s surface properties or its chemical content.
