Dental effects of home bleaching gels and whitening strips on the surface hardness of resin composites.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of two bleaching gels and two whitening strips on surface hardness of four resin composites in vitro. METHODS: 60 cylindrical samples of each composite (Surefil, Charisma, Admira, Flowline) were prepared (4 mm thickness and 6 mm diameter) and stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. These samples were randomly divided into six test groups (n=10). One group was selected for baseline and Vickers microhardness measurements (load= 100 g, dwell time 20 seconds) were taken immediately. The other groups were treated for 21 days with one of the following: distilled water (control), containing 10% carbamide peroxide bleaching gel (Perfect Bleach), 16% carbamide peroxide bleaching gel (Viva Style), 5.3% hydrogen peroxide whitening strips (Crest Whitestrips) and 14% hydrogen peroxide whitening strips (Crest Whitestrips Supreme). The treated samples were also subsequently subjected to the same microhardness testing by using the same method as applied to the baseline measurements. Data were analyzed statistically (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: Overall, the lowest surface hardness value was observed in baseline measurements. An increase in surface hardness was noted in all of the other groups. The higher surface hardness values were found in control, whitening strip (5.3% HP) and bleaching gel (10% CP) groups than whitening strip (14% HP) group. Bleaching gel (16% CP) was statistically different from only baseline measurements. In addition, regardless of the tested groups, statistically significant differences in surface hardness were observed between composite materials. Surefil showed the highest hardness values while Flowline presented the lowest hardness values.