Effects of bleaching on color stability of enamel lesions treated with resin infiltrant

Background and Aims: Considering the preventive and therapeutic effects of resin infiltration (RI) and the unknown effect of bleaching on the enamel treated with this method, this in-vitro study aimed to assess the effect of bleaching on color stability of enamel lesions treated with RI. Materials and Methods: In this in-vitro, experimental study, enamel-dentin samples measuring 5×5×3 mm were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of 30 extracted humans third molars with no caries, cracks or enamel defects by a microtome. The specimens were divided into three groups of 10 specimens: 1) sound enamel (control), 2) demineralized enamel, 3) demineralized enamel plus RI. White spot lesions were artificially created by immersing the samples in hydroxyethyl cellulose demineralizing gel with a pH of 4.5 for 4 days. Next, Icon RI was applied on the samples in group 3. The baseline color of the specimens was measured using a spectrophotometer. Then, 35% hydrogen peroxide was applied on the specimens in three cycles and time interval of 10 min. After the end of the last cycle, the samples were completely washed for 1 min and then, underwent colorimetry again. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results: The results of this study showed that the highest level of color change (ΔE) in the demineralized group was 6.3±2.003, while the least amount of ΔE in the enamel lesion group treated with resin infiltration was 3.54±0.98 and in the control group ΔE was 4.13±1.14. Therefore, there was a significant difference between demineralized and treated by infiltratant groups (P=0.005). However, there was no significant difference between control group and treated with resin infiltration group (P=0.54). Conclusion: Bleaching induced a less change in the color of the enamel lesions treated by resin infiltration compared with that of the demineralized teeth.