There are concerns regarding the effects of tooth bleaching agents on amalgam and these have prompted significant research in recent years. However, much of this has focused on metal ion release, rather than the effects on the material itself.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a Carbamide Peroxide (C.P.) bleaching agent on the surface chemistry of dental amalgam.

Methods: Amalgam discs 10 mm x 2 mm (n=12)were prepared . Discs were then treated with either a Carbamide Peroxide gel (10%) or control substances including water. Treated discs were then immersed in distilled water (20 ml) for 24 hours at 37 ºC. Each disc was in turn analysed using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (LA ICP-MS). The surface roughness of the discs was measured using Talysurf.

Results: The data were analysed using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-hoc analyses. The results showed that the ratio of mercury from the samples treated with C.P. was significantly different than the mercury detected from the control groups (p<0.05). In all cases the greatest ion was mercury followed by silver and tin with copper being the lowest. There was no significant difference in roughness measurement between C.P. and the control groups.

Conclusion: Detection of metal at the surface generally reflected the bulk composition of the amalgam. Treatment with C.P. gel increased the proportion of mercury relative to other metal ions. However, the clinical relevance of these findings requires further work.

Back to the Dental Materials: VII - Others-Metallic Program
Back to the IADR/AADR/CADR 82nd General Session (March 10-13, 2004)

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