Tea and Coffee Discoloration in the Simulated Remineralization Process of Tooth Structure: Investigating the Influence of In-Office Bleaching Material on Arrested Stains

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of an in-office dental bleaching agent (with 40% H2O2) on the simulated stained remineralized lesions of teeth using tea and coffee as staining solutions. Forty-eight sound premolar teeth were selected, root amputated, and embedded in a self-curing acrylic resin. Half of the samples were immersed in a tea solution and the remaining half were immersed in a coffee solution for 4 days (n = 24). From each study group, half of the samples went through the bleaching process, and the remaining half served as a control. The color change was observed with a paired t-test and two-way ANOVA (α = 0.05). The ANOVA findings observed a significant effect on the ΔΕ value (p =< .001) due to independent factors. Additionally, individual stages, i.e., time points such as baseline, demineralization, staining, re-mineralization, and bleaching had a significant effect on ΔΕ value (p =<.001). The t-test results observed significant variations between ΔΕ values of bleached and not bleached groups after the staining and remineralization process, irrespective of the staining solution used. It’s crucial to abstain from coffee and tea during and shortly after bleaching until thorough remineralization therapy is completed.