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Comparative Evaluation of Mineral Content and Surface Topography of Teeth After Bleaching Using Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): An In Vitro Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This in vitro study evaluated the impact of various bleaching systems on enamel surface topography and mineral composition (calcium and phosphate) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight human enamel specimens (N=48) were divided into five groups: Group 1a (positive control; untreated), Group 1b (negative control; 37% phosphoric acid etching), Group 2 (37.5% hydrogen peroxide, Pola Office+, SDI, Bayswater, Victoria, Australia), Group 3 (22% carbamide peroxide, Pola Night, SDI, Bayswater, Victoria, Australia), and Group 4 (phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP), Toothsi Spark, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China). Following group-specific clinical regimens, specimens were stored in artificial saliva and evaluated using SEM-EDS. Data were analyzed via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni tests (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Calcium levels differed significantly among the five groups (one-way ANOVA; F(4,43)=27.88; p<0.001). Group 1a showed the highest mean calcium level, whereas Group 1b showed the lowest. Among the bleaching groups, Groups 2 and 4 showed significantly higher calcium levels than Group 3 on Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparison. Phosphorus levels did not differ significantly among the groups (one-way ANOVA; F(4,43)=0.52; p=0.720). CONCLUSION: Extended application timelines render 22% carbamide peroxide more detrimental to enamel mineral content than brief, high-concentration hydrogen peroxide or light-activated PAP.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.117510