Search Results (27)

Background: The aesthetic performance of single-shade polymer-based restorative materials (SPRs) can be compromised by extrinsic stains. Understanding the effects of novel whitening interventions on SPRs is crucial. Objective: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effects of different whitening interventions, including a novel purple tooth serum and charcoal-based whitening toothpaste with and without in-office bleaching, on the color of a new coffee-stained SPR. Materials and Methods: Seventy disc-shaped SPR specimens were prepared, stained, and then divided into seven groups (n = 10). Three groups were subjected directly to 2500 cycles of brushing simulation with regular toothpaste (control), charcoal toothpaste, or purple tooth serum. The rest were divided into bleaching groups, and the four groups underwent a simulation of bleaching and then brushing with the three products. The color parameters were recorded at the stained baseline, after brushing, after bleaching, and after post-bleaching brushing. The color change (ΔE00) was calculated, and the data were analyzed statistically using the Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn–Bonferroni pairwise comparisons (p < 0.05). Results: In-office bleaching without brushing had a statistically significantly higher ΔE00 value than all other groups (p < 0.001). Post hoc tests indicated that the ΔE00 values of the brushed specimens were not significantly different from each other when assessed with and without bleaching (p > 0.05). When using the charcoal toothpaste, the post-bleaching brushed specimens had a noticeable color change above the PT. Conclusions: Bleaching improved the stained SPR color initially, but other treatments may offer longer-lasting aesthetics. The charcoal toothpaste showed promising results when combined with bleaching. The purple serum showed limited effectiveness. Full article

Toothpaste is an essential oral hygiene product commonly used to sustain oral health due to its incorporation of antimicrobial agents. Numerous functional toothpastes enriched with antimicrobial agents have been developed and are available to consumers. This study evaluates the antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy of 12 commercially available toothpaste products, including those with specialized functions. Statistical significance was assessed to validate the differences observed among the toothpaste samples. Their effects on Streptococcus mutans, the primary pathogen responsible for dental caries, were evaluated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined, and bacterial growth was measured to compare antimicrobial activities. Toothpaste containing 1000 μg/mL fluoride and whitening toothpaste exhibited the strongest antimicrobial effects, effectively inhibiting S. mutans growth. Additionally, bamboo salt-enriched and tartar-control toothpaste demonstrated inhibitory effects on bacterial growth. Assays to evaluate the ability of cells to form biofilms and the expression of genes involved in biofilm formation revealed a partial correlation between biofilm formation and spaP, gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD expression, although some showed opposite trends. Collectively, this study provides valuable insights into the antimicrobial and biofilm inhibition capabilities of commercial toothpastes against S. mutans, offering a foundation for evaluating the efficacy of functional toothpaste products. Full article

Objective: To evaluate the color stability and microhardness of resin-based bioactive composites after brushing with over-the-counter whitening toothpastes. Methods: A conventional resin (Luna 2) and two bioactive resins (Stela Mix and Activa Presto) were tested. Four toothpastes were used: Colgate Fresh Gel (control), Colgate Max White, Yotuel, and Crest 3D White. Forty disks of each material were prepared and divided into four subgroups. The disks were brushed to simulate three months of daily brushing. Microhardness and color changes were measured before and after brushing. Color variation was calculated using the ΔE_ab, ΔE₀₀, and ΔWI_D indexes. Wilcoxon and two-way ANOVA tests were performed (p < 0.05). Results: In the Luna 2 and Stela groups, the b* parameter decreased significantly with all toothpastes (p < 0.05), while lightness and a* remained stable with no significant differences (p > 0.05). Stela Mix and Activa Presto exhibited color changes within the “moderately unacceptable” range according to ΔE₀₀ (>1.8 and ≤3.6). Based on the ΔWI_D index, Luna 2 showed the highest variation when treated with Colgate Max (2.14 ± 1.33) and the lowest in the control group (1.08 ± 0.56A), remaining within acceptable margins with all treatments. The microhardness values before/after treatment remained for Luna 2 between 77.44 and 76.97; for Stela Mix between 76.24 and 74.13; and for Activa presto between 74.5 and 71.33. Differences were not significant for any of the pastes within each composite (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The evaluated bioactive resins exhibited color changes within the moderately unacceptable range. Colgate Max White induced the most significant color changes. Microhardness was not affected by treatment with whitening toothpastes. Full article

Maintaining the cleanliness of orthodontic aligners is crucial for oral hygiene and preserving the optical properties of aligners. In this randomized clinical trial, we compared the effectiveness of different cleaning methods for the maintenance of Invisalign clear aligners. Twelve adult patients received five aligners, each worn for 10 days. The aligners were divided based on the cleaning method: tooth brushing with whitening toothpaste, vinegar, Fittydent Super Cleansing Tablets, Invisalign cleaning crystals, and only water. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to detect surface morphology changes; color changes (ΔE) were evaluated using a spectrophotometer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with a diamond hemisphere was used to study the aligners’ chemical compositions. Nanoindentation testing was used to assess changes in the elastic modulus. SEM confirmed the effectiveness of Invisalign cleaning crystals in maintaining cleanliness, revealing a surface similar to that of the control group with no adverse effects. Color stability analysis revealed significant ΔE value differences; whitening toothpaste had significantly lower ΔE values than water and Invisalign cleaning crystals. The elastic modulus and FTIR analyses indicated no significant differences between the cleaning methods. Therefore, Invisalign cleaning crystals and whitening toothpaste are safe for aligner maintenance, showing successful and aesthetically pleasing results. Full article

Background: Tooth whitening is a widely sought-after cosmetic procedure, with various at-home and professional treatments available. This study compares the whitening efficacy of an activated charcoal toothpaste and a 6% hydrogen peroxide whitening pen under controlled in vitro conditions. Methods: Twenty freshly extracted human teeth were stained with a coffee solution and divided into two groups. Group A underwent daily applications of activated charcoal toothpaste for 30 days, while Group B received a single 5 min application of a 6% hydrogen peroxide whitening pen. Tooth color was assessed using the VITA Classical A1-D4 Shade Guide at baseline, mid-treatment, and post-treatment for Group A and at baseline and immediately after treatment for Group B. Results: The activated charcoal toothpaste exhibited a gradual whitening effect, with the most significant improvements occurring within the first two weeks (p < 0.01), after which the whitening effect plateaued. In contrast, the hydrogen peroxide whitening pen produced immediate and substantial whitening (p < 0.001). Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann–Whitney U test confirmed the superior efficacy of the hydrogen peroxide treatment. Conclusions: The hydrogen peroxide whitening pen was significantly more effective in achieving rapid and substantial whitening compared to the activated charcoal toothpaste, which provided gradual but limited improvements. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the long-term color stability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Toothbrushing is a recommended daily practice that helps sustain oral health. However, if performed improperly, it can lead to loss of tooth structure and injury to soft tissues. We explored this topic with an extensive literature search. Methods: A literature search was performed across textbooks and journals for original research and review articles in Scopus, PubMed, PubMed Central, and Cochrane databases, published between 1967 and 2024. Results: The search result yielded 118 articles that were suitable to include in this review. Toothpaste abrasivity plays a major role in combination with toothbrush forces. Therefore, maintaining forces between 2 and 3 N may be gentler on the tissue. Electric toothbrushes are safer. Toothpastes with low RDA values are also less abrasive. Active ingredients in whitening and desensitizing toothpaste can induce tooth wear. Remineralizing agents have the potential to manage the associated lesions. Conclusions: Cervical abrasions and gingival recession occur frequently due to oral hygiene measures. Standards in oral hygiene aid to match patient needs can prevent hard and soft tissue loss. Full article

Background: There is high demand for white and healthy teeth. Therefore, various whitening toothpastes are commercially available. Hydroxyapatite and blue covarine are two ingredients used in whitening toothpaste formulations. Objectives: This in vitro study analyzed the stain-removing efficacy of two commercial whitening toothpastes: one containing hydroxyapatite and the other containing blue covarine. Methods: The stain-removing efficacy of both toothpastes was analyzed for different brushing times (30 and 180 s) using a staining model on human enamel. Photographic documentation and colorimetric measurements were performed after staining and after each brushing series. Colorimetric measurements were used to determine the stain removal efficacy in percentage. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a post hoc Tukey test and Levene’s test to assess the homogeneity of variances. The significance level α was set at 0.05. Results: The hydroxyapatite toothpaste demonstrated a significantly higher stain-removing efficacy compared to the blue covarine toothpaste after 30 s of brushing. The stain-removing efficacy was comparable between the two toothpastes after 180 s of brushing. Conclusions: Both hydroxyapatite and blue covarine toothpastes effectively cleaned stained enamel, with hydroxyapatite toothpaste showing a significantly higher stain-removing efficacy after 30 s of brushing. Full article

This study assessed the bleaching and abrasiveness levels of different kinds of toothpaste with various RDA values on nanohybrid and microhybrid composite samples using a novel Press-on Force-Guided brushing simulator. One hundred and forty disc-shaped samples were prepared using two nano-hybrid and three microhybrid composites and divided randomly into four subgroups (n = 7). The samples were immersed in a coffee solution for 144 h and then brushed using R.O.C.S. (Remineralizing Oral Care Systems) brand toothpaste with different RDA values [Sensitive Instant Relief (SIR), Sensation Whitening (SW), and their combination with PRO Polishing (PP) (once a week)] using a brushing simulator for 140, 280 and 560 strokes (140 strokes correspondence to one week of real-time brushing). The level of surface roughness and color change (ΔE) were measured before and after the simulated brushing. Color changes were evaluated in Photoshop CC software through ∆E₀₀* values generated from before and after L, a*, b* parameters on sample photographs taken by a mobile dental photography tool. The surface structure of samples was measured before and after the brushing using a profilometer. The measurements were analyzed in SPSS V23 software by Analysis of Variance and the Bonferroni Test, and the level of significance was set at <0.05. Regarding ΔE values comparisons, there were no significant differences between the toothpastes after 2 weeks of brushing. SW (2.82 ± 1.24), SIR + PP (2.78 ± 0.98), and SW + PP (2.84 ± 1.22) values were found to be similar after one month of brushing (p < 0.007). Regarding surface roughness comparisons between the toothpastes, two-week and one-month brushing values were found to be similar and statistically rougher than the initial values. Using R.O.C.S. PRO Polishing with low-abrasive toothpaste may increase the whitening effect by enhancing color recovery. Full article

Background: Orthodontic appliances increase biofilm accumulation by expanding plaque retention sites. Enamel demineralization and periodontal inflammation are considered to be the most prevalent consequences of biofilm formation in orthodontic patients, with reported prevalence rates of up to 50%. To date, there are different procedures and indications that have been used for the treatment of these conditions. Therefore, professionals may use different technologies and protocols to control bacterial biofilm. The aim of this study was to investigate the protocols and technologies used by Italian dental professionals to maintain good oral health in orthodontic patients before, during and after treatment. Methods: A total of 155 dental professionals, dentists, dental hygienist students and dental hygienists, attending the Italian Academy of Advanced Technologies in Oral Hygiene Sciences (A.T.A.S.I.O.) congress, completed a questionnaire to identify prevention technologies and protocols before, during and after orthodontic treatment. Results: The results show equivalent responses between dentists and dental hygienists, with most dental hygienists more likely to personalize treatment. Remineralization technologies and protocols are selected based on patient characteristics. During professional oral hygiene sessions, the most commonly used technologies before, during and after therapy are ultrasonic scaler and airflow with powders. Mouthwashes and toothpastes are customized and shared with the patient, with remineralizing technologies predominant in toothpastes. After treatment, aesthetics is evaluated and the whitening protocol is selected based on the patient’s characteristics. Conclusions: There is not a specific prevention program associated with each orthodontic therapy in the literature, so it is necessary to tailor the treatment to best manage the risks of orthodontic therapy and maintain healthy tissues. Full article

Background/Objectives: Whiter teeth are widely accepted as the most beautiful. With the growing demand for whiter teeth, several manufacturers have launched different brands of whitening toothpaste claiming to be effective in removing tooth stains and whitening teeth. The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the whitening effect of eight over-the-counter available toothpastes by measuring the changes in color using a digital colorimeter in a simulated staining–brushing cycle model. Methods: A total of 32 extracted bovine enamel were polished with 1000–2000 grit SIC paper and immersed in a tea staining solution for 30 min at 37 °C to create extrinsic staining. The specimens were randomly divided into eight groups (n = 4) and subjected to a staining–brushing cycle for 2 weeks. During this period, the specimens were stained for 5 min twice, brushed for 2 min twice per day, and immersed in artificial saliva for the remaining time. The colors of the enamel surfaces L*, a*, and b* were recorded, and the color difference (ΔE) was measured before the treatment and after 1 and 2 weeks of the staining–brushing cycle. Results: The repeated measures showed a significant reduction of (ΔE) after 1 week of the staining–brushing cycle in all eight experimental groups (p < 0.05). The (ΔE) was significantly reduced after the second week of the staining–brushing cycle in groups 1, 3, and 5 (p < 0.05). However, it was insignificant in groups 2, 6, 7, and 8 (p > 0.05). Among the tested materials, group 1 showed the highest and group 8 showed the lowest teeth-whitening effects. Conclusions: The over-the-counter toothpaste used in this study showed effective teeth-whitening. Charcoal-based toothpaste showed the highest efficiency in teeth whitening. Full article

Injectable resin composites offer flowability while providing enhanced mechanical properties, making them suitable for both posterior and anterior restorations. However, their susceptibility to discoloration and the efficacy of toothpaste in removing stains have not been extensively studied. This study aimed to evaluate the color stability of injectable (G-ænial Universal Injectable), flowable (3M™ Filtek™ Supreme Flowable, 3M, St. Paul, MN, USA), and conventional composite (3M™ Filtek™ Z350 XT Universal Restorative, 3M, MN, USA) after red wine exposure and to compare the stain removal efficacy of whitening (Colgate^® Optic White™ Volcanic Mineral Whitening Toothpaste, Colgate-Palmolive, Chonburi, Thailand) versus daily (Colgate^® Cavity Protection Toothpaste, Colgate-Palmolive, Chonburi, Thailand) dentifrice. Disc-shaped (7 mm in diameter and 2 mm in height) samples (n = 30) in A3 shade were prepared using injectable, flowable, and conventional composites. The samples were polymerized for 40 s on each side using a curing device set at 1500 mW/cm² and immersed in red wine for 7 days. After staining, they were brushed with either whitening or daily dentifrice using 4950 strokes. Color measurements were taken at baseline (T1), after staining (T2), and after brushing (T3), using a spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA. Results showed that conventional composites exhibited the highest color change (ΔET1-T2 = 5.50) compared to injectable (ΔET1-T2 = 3.60) and flowable composites (ΔET1-T2 = 3.36). While whitening dentifrice facilitated a greater recovery of discoloration in stained samples (ΔET1-T3 = 1.38–3.67) compared to daily dentifrice (ΔET1-T3 = 2.01–4.28), the observed difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, all composite types are prone to staining from red wine, and both whitening and daily dentifrices show no difference in efficacy in reducing discoloration. Full article

This in vitro study evaluated the effects of brushing with activated charcoal powder or toothpaste on enamel surface properties, including color change (ΔE), Knoop microhardness (HK), roughness (Ra), and the characteristics of the resulting brushing slurry [pH, fluoride (F⁻), and calcium (Ca²⁺) concentration]. A total of 48 enamel samples were stained and divided into 4 groups (n = 12): activated charcoal toothpaste (AC-T), activated charcoal powder (AC-P), hydrogen peroxide-based whitening toothpaste (HP-T), and conventional toothpaste (C-T, positive control). The samples were subjected to a brushing cycling model, and ΔE, HK, Ra and enamel morphology were analyzed at baseline (T0) and after brushing cycle (T1). Additionally, the pH, soluble F⁻, and Ca²⁺ concentrations of the slurry were analyzed. Data were analyzed using ANOVA/Tukey and paired t-tests (α = 0.05). After brushing, AC-T and AC-P (p < 0.05) showed a decrease in HK, an increase in Ra, and no ΔE variation was observed between groups (p = 0.163). All products had alkaline slurries (>7), and AC-P had no detectable F⁻ (p = 0.00) with significantly higher calcium loss (p = 0.015). Fewer enamel topographical changes were observed in C-T. In conclusion, brushing with CA toothpowder and toothpaste does not promote color change, but toothpowder increases surface Ra, decreases enamel HK, lacks F⁻, and causes greater Ca²⁺ loss. Full article

Objectives: Using toothpaste with activated carbon might increase the decay of orthodontic elastomeric chains’ (ECs) tensile strength, thereby compromising orthodontic treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of activated charcoal toothpaste on orthodontic ECs. Materials and Methods: A total sample of 180 EC segments from 3M Unitek^®, Ormco^® and Ortho Classic^® brands were equally divided into 12 groups, each comprising 15 specimens. These pieces were kept in artificial saliva at 37 °C and brushed twice daily for 28 days, with three distinct types of toothpaste: Colgate^® Total, Colgate^® Max White, and Dr Organic^® Extra Whitening Charcoal Toothpaste. The latter two toothpastes contain activated charcoal. Tensile strength, resistance to rupture and colour variation were evaluated at time zero and day 28. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests were performed at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Toothpaste with and without activated carbon significantly reduced the tensile strength and resistance to rupture of the ECs, and altered EC colour (p < 0.0001). There was inconsistency in the effect of the activated carbon on EC characteristics, most probably due to the different compositions of the ECs and percentages of whitening agents in the toothpastes. Conclusions: The material composition of ECs contributes to their tensile strength decay, resistance to rupture and colour change over time. The variable percentage of activated carbon in a toothpaste likely underlies the different effects observed, depending on the EC brand. Clinical Relevance: It might be reasonable to advise patients wearing ECs to avoid using toothpaste with activated carbon until further evidence becomes available. Full article

The aim was to evaluate the effect of different whitening toothpastes on the enamel surface roughness and color variation. Twenty-four molars were sectioned and divided into eight groups (n = 3) considering the following two factors under study: toothpaste type (Colgate^® Total Original, Oral B^® 3D White Luxe Perfection, Curaprox^® Black is White, and Signal^® White Now) and brushing protocol (short- and long-term). Surface roughness was examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and color change (ΔE) was measured using the CIE L*a*b* system. Data were statistically analyzed using comparative parametric tests at a 5% significance level. In the short-term protocol, only the Signal^® White Now toothpaste increased surface roughness (p = 0.038) compared to the Colgate^® Total Original group. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in surface roughness in the long-term protocol. Regarding color variation, no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in either protocol. Overall, the whitening toothpastes did not affect enamel surface roughness or color, except for Signal^® White Now, which caused increased roughness in the short-term protocol. However, all toothpastes induced a visual change in color. Full article

The objective was to systematically review studies that evaluated the effect of charcoal-based dentifrices (CbDs) and conventional whitening toothpastes (CWTs) on the color stability (CS) and/or surface roughness (SR) of composite resin (CR). The question we focused on was “Do CbD and CWT affect the CS and/or SR of CR?” Indexed databases were searched without language and time restrictions up to and including May 2023 using different keywords. Original experimental studies were included. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for In Vitro Studies. Ten in vitro studies performed on CR were included. The number of CR samples assessed ranged between 18 and 200. In one study, CbDs altered the CS and SR of CR, whereas another study showed no difference in changes in the SR and CS of CR when CbDs were compared with CWTs. One study showed that compared with CWTs, CbDs caused changes in the CS of CR but changes in SR were similar between the two dentifrices. One study showed that CbDs and CWTs improved the overall color and enhanced the SR of CR. Three studies had a high RoB, five had a medium RoB, and two had a low RoB. Compared to CWTs, CbDs appeared to affect the CS of CR, but the SR of CR induced by both dentifrices remained consistent. Further well-designed and power-adjusted studies are needed. Full article