The source of irradiation is more relevant than the bleaching agent for efficient teeth whitening, according to a study in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery (October 22, 2010).
Researchers from the Rocasolano Institute of Physical Chemistry examined the whitening efficacy of three whitening agents -- Quick White, Ena White Power, and Opalescence Endo, all containing 35% hydrogen peroxide -- in combination with six different photoactivation systems on 126 extracted human incisors.
Each agent was stimulated by a halogen lamp, light-emitting diode (LED), low-power diode laser, Nd:YAG laser, second harmonic Nd:YAG laser, and Er:YAG laser. Teeth were evaluated for color change, pulpal temperature, and enamel morphological alterations.
The researchers found that the groups photoactivated with a diode laser, halogen lamp, and LED showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.005) in color change when compared with the control group (no photoactivation). They also found that all of the whitening protocols were safe with regard to the increase in pulpal temperature, with no effects on enamel integrity.
Photoactivation with the LED was found to be the best choice, they noted; it yielded significant change in color with only a minor increase in pulpal temperature.
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