Effect of Chitosan on Mineral Content of Human Tooth After Bleaching: An SEM-EDX Study

Abstract

Aim and Background: 35% carbamide peroxide can cause adverse effects on the structure and composition of teeth. However, the addition of calcium and fluoride in bleaching agents may reduce enamel demineralization. The aim of the study is to evaluate the chemical changes in a tooth submitted to 35% of carbamide peroxide containing chitosan and carbopol as a carrier system using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). Materials and Methods: 30 freshly extracted anterior teeth were given root canal treatment. The teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group 1 was Opalescence PF (35% carbamide peroxide), group 2 was chitosan with 35% carbamide peroxide, and group 3 was a control group (no treatment). All canals were filled with 0.06 tapered gutta-percha and AH-plus sealer. Then, intracoronal bleaching was applied. SEM-EDX analysis was performed to determine whether bleaching procedures changed the mineral content of the tooth. While SEM-EDX analysis, the tooth was analyzed based on elemental content and elemental distribution from standardized points under 300× magnification. Statistical analysis was performed with one way analysis of variance. Results: There was no significant difference in C, O, Na, P, Mg, K, and S values and the Ca/P ratio obtained by SEM-EDX analysis among groups ( P > .05), whereas the Ca level was significantly lower in Opalescence PF group than the control group ( P < .05). Conclusions: The results of this study show that chitosan does not cause mineral loss and dissolution in the inorganic content of a tooth. Thus, chitosan can be used as an alternative carrier system in the bleaching agent.