Micromorphology of enamel surface after vital tooth bleaching.

The aim of the present study was to assess microroughness changes of enamel surfaces after bleaching procedures with 10% and 16% concentrations of carbamide peroxide by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Twenty caries-free incisors, extracted for periodontitis reasons, were sectioned into two halves of experimental and control specimens. The teeth were divided into two groups, and the experimental specimens were exposed to either 10% or 16% carbamide peroxide for 4 hours per 7 days. Measurements were made at three randomly selected 140 x 100 microm areas of 10 experimental and control specimens per group at the same crown level. Microroughness was measured in "total roughness" (Rt) and "average roughness" (Ra) descriptor values. The statistical analysis showed significantly higher microroughness according to Rt values and Ra values for both groups of carbamide peroxide exposed enamel surfaces.