Effect of Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) Laser Enamel Pre-Treatment on the Whitening Efficacy of a Bleaching Agent

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are a number of different substances and treatments that are effective in mitigating the negative effects of tooth bleaching. It is essential, however, to consider whether or not the presence of these factors affects the efficiency of the bleaching agent. AIM: The purpose of this study is to determine how the pretreated enamel with a Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser affects the bleaching effect of hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 35%. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirty samples were prepared from human-extracted permanent anterior teeth and stained using a tea solution. Based on the pre-treatment protocol, the samples were split into two equal groups (n = 15): In Group I, samples were submerged in saline solution for five minutes, while in Group II, Nd:YAG laser treatment was performed. Following pretreatment, samples from both groups were bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide. Colour analysis of all samples was done before and after bleaching using a spectrophotometer. For the colour analysis, the CIE L*a*b* (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage) System of colour measurement was used. For statistical analysis, Student t-tests (two-tailed, unpaired) were used to compare the means of two groups on a continuous scale. RESULTS: Samples from both groups became lighter in colour following bleaching. After bleaching, there was no discernible difference in the total colour change between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The application of the Nd:YAG laser before bleaching did not influence the whitening efficacy of 35% hydrogen peroxide.