Objectives: To evaluate in vitro the effect of fluoride therapies on the surface roughness of human dental enamel exposed to bleaching agents.
Method and materials: Sixty-six specimens obtained from 33 third molars were centrally cut, mounted on acrylic resin supports, polished, and submitted to baseline surface roughness readings (RaB). Next, the specimens were distributed into 11 groups and exposed to one of the bleaching agents-16% carbamide peroxide (CP) or 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP)-and one of the fluoride therapies-0.05% NaF daily (DF); 0.2% NaF weekly (WF); 2% final topical fluoride (FTF); or 2% initial and final topical fluoride (IFTF). The positive control group specimens were exposed to neither bleaching agents nor fluoride therapies. The negative control group specimens were exposed to the bleaching agents but none of the fluoride therapies. After storage in artificial saliva for 7 days, final surface roughness readings (RaF) were taken. Percentage differences between RaB and RaF were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests at a P value of .05.
Results: The bleaching agents CP and HP increased the surface roughness compared with the control group; FTF and IFTF reduced the surface roughness of enamel exposed to CP and HP; DF and WF did not reduce the surface roughness of enamel exposed to CP and HP.
Conclusion: Both bleaching agents tested increased the surface roughness of dental enamel, and both topical fluoride therapies were effective at reducing the increase in enamel surface roughness after bleaching.