Objective: to evaluate the effect of peroxide free versus peroxide containing whitening agents on color change and surface roughness of enamel.
Methods: A total of 30 bovine incisors were used for the current study. Teeth roots were sectioned and crowns were mounted in self-cured acrylic resin blocks. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups (n= 10) according to the whitening agent used: Group I: Control group (No treatment), Group II: Peroxide free whitening agent (BlanX White Shock toothpaste) and Group III: Peroxide containing whitening agent (White smile bleaching agent). The specimens were stained using black tea solution. BlanX toothpaste was used twice daily for 8 days while white smile bleaching material was applied for 3 sessions, 20 min each. Color change was assessed using VITA Easyshade spectrophotometer and surface roughness (Ra) was measured using a white light interferometer. Data were tabulated and statistically analyzed.
Results: Color change results revealed that both whitening agents were able to restore color comparable to the control group with no significant difference between them. Regarding surface roughness, no significant difference was reported between BlanX toothpaste and the control group which showed low surface roughness while white smile bleaching agent recorded the highest surface roughness value.
Conclusion: BlanX toothpaste was able to improve tooth color without altering enamel surface roughness. Although, white smile bleaching agent was effective in restoring tooth color, it negatively affects surface roughness.