ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different in-office
and home bleaching gels on the surface mercury levels of dental amalgam.
Methods: Sixty disk-shaped amalgam specimens (GS-80, SDI- Australia) were prepared
and randomly divided into the following treatment groups: 1. Distilled water (control);
2. 15% home-bleach carbamide peroxide (Opalescence PF, Ultra dent, USA) applied for
6 h/day for 3 weeks; and 3. 35% in-office bleach carbamide peroxide (Opalescence Quick,
Ultradent) applied for 30 min/week for 3 weeks. Levels of mercury were measured as
weight percentages using an energy dispersive x-ray micro-analyzer detector connected
to an electron microscope. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and a post hoc Tukey
tests (P<.05).
Results: There were no significant differences between the surface mercury levels
measured following treatment with the tested home-bleach and in-office bleach products
(P=0.71). However, both materials yielded significantly more mercury levels than that
of the control group (P<.001).
Conclusions: The tested bleaching products significantly elevated the surface mercury
levels of amalgam in vitro. (Eur J Dent 2010;4:23-27)
Key words
Tooth bleaching - Dental amalgam - Carbamide peroxide - Mercury