Human pulpal reaction to the modified McInnes bleaching technique.

Thirty-six human teeth were examined to histologically determine if the Modified Mclnnes Bleaching Technique had any adverse effects on the pulp. Under the conditions of this study, there were no significant pulpal reactions to the bleaching technique even when a substantial amount of the enamel was removed from the facial surface of the crowns. J. Craig Baumgartner 4 The Modified McInnes Bleaching Technique is one of the most commonly used methods for bleaching stained vital teeth. ihis technique has been specifically recommended and found successful for bleaching the teeth of patients with endemic fluorosis (1). The McInnes Technique was introduced by McInnes (2), and modified by Bailey and Christen (3), and Colon (4,5). The technique has been described as a combination of bleaching, disking, and chemical removal of the stain (3). Although the technique may provide clinical success in terms of stain removal and patient acceptability, its biological effect on the pulp has not been determined. Varying degrees of pulpal inflammation may be present even in the absence of symptoms (6), and long-term pulpal changes may culminate in pulpal degeneration or pulpal necrosis (7). Although previous studies have examined the effects of other bleaching techniques on the pulp (8,9), no studies are available that investigate pulpal reaction to the Modified McInnes Bleaching Technique. The purpose of this study is to histologically determine the effects of the Modified Mclnnes Technique on the pulp. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nine patients, ages 11 to 17, were selected for this study. Each patient presented with four premolars scheduled for extraction in preparation for orthodontic therapy. All of the premolars were free of caries, restorations, and staining. For each patient, one maxillary and one mandibular premolar were treated with the Modified Mclnnes Technique while the contralateral premolars served as controls.