2023 Volume 36 Issue 1 Pages 12-18
Purpose : This retrospective study examined the effect of home bleaching in five patients concurrently undergoing orthodontic bracket treatment. We also examined whether there was a difference in color tone between the brackets and the surrounding enamel after the brackets were removed. After bracket removal, we performed home bleaching again to examine its effectiveness and usefulness for orthodontic patients with brackets.
Materials and Methods : The subjects were five patients who underwent home bleaching (HW1) with Opalescence Go (OPG) during orthodontic treatment with brackets, followed by bracket removal and further home bleaching (HW2) with OPG. OPG is a bleaching material applied via pre-filled trays. The main component of the bleaching material is 6% hydrogen peroxide. The changes in color tone before and after bleaching were evaluated by spectrophotometric and visual colorimetric methods. We also examined whether there was a difference in color tone between the tooth surface to which the brackets were bonded and the surrounding tooth surface.
Results : The mean color difference (ΔE) on the incisal or cervical side before and after HW1 was 4.3 (±1.7), and before and after HW2 was 5.5 (±1.7). The mean ΔE at the crown center after before and after HW2 was 4.8 (±1.6). Before HW2, the mean ΔE between the incisal side (Inc) and the crown center (Bon) was 3.2 (±1.2), and the mean ΔE between Bon and the cervical side (Cer) was 3.0 (±0.9). After HW2, ΔEInc-Bon was 2.9 (±0.3), and ΔEBon-Cer was 2.9 (±0.7). The mean difference in score between pre-bleaching and HW1 was 2.6 (±0.6) and the mean difference between pre-bleaching and HW2 was 4.7 (±1.5).
Discussion and Conclusion : Home bleaching with 6% hydrogen peroxide in pre-filled trays was performed on orthodontic patients wearing bracket devices, and a noticeable improvement in color tone was observed. After bleaching, there was a slight difference in color tone between the bracketed area and the surrounding area.
