Considerations In Intracoronal Bleaching

Intracoronal tooth bleaching - A review and treatment guidelines

Intracoronal bleaching is a minimally invasive procedure that was introduced into dentistry in the 19th century. The role of that procedure in enhancing the colour of teeth subjected to internal discolouration while being conservative made it extremely popular amongst dental professionals. Different materials and techniques have been utilized over the years attempting to obtain predictable long-term results while minimizing any associated risks. Contemporarily, bleaching agents are mainly based on peroxide-releasing compounds in different formulations and delivery systems. Different theories have been formulated on the bleaching mechanism of such agents, but the exact mechanism is yet to be proven. The effect of hydrogen peroxide-based bleaching agents on the organic structure of enamel and dentine has been extensively investigated to address the effects of bonding of resin-based restorative materials to hard tooth structure. Multiple case reports raised a concern about the contribution of intracoronal bleaching in developing invasive root resorption. Modification of intracoronal bleaching techniques was thus necessary to address such concerns. This review will provide a summary of the important aspects of intracoronal bleaching, focusing on how it applies to the contemporary clinical setting. © 2023 Australian Dental Association.

External cervical resorption-a review of pathogenesis and potential predisposing factors

External cervical resorption (ECR) refers to a pathological state in which resorption tissues penetrate into the dentin at the cervical aspect of the root. Despite being latent in its initial phase, ECR could cause severe damage to mineralized dental tissue and even involve the pulp if not given timely diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, the etiology of ECR is still poorly understood, which adds to the difficulty in early diagnosis. ECR has received growing attention in recent years due to the increasing number of clinical cases. Several potential predisposing factors have been recognized in cross-sectional studies as well as case reports. In the meantime, studies on histopathology and pathogenesis have shed light on possible mechanisms of ECR. This review aims to summarize the latest findings in the pathogenesis and potential predisposing factors of ECR, so as to provide pragmatic reference for clinical practice.

Fracture resistance and failure pattern of teeth submitted to internal bleaching with 37% carbamide peroxide, with application of different restorative procedures

Objective.

This study investigated the compressive fracture strength and failure pattern in premolars submitted to endodontic treatment and internal bleaching with 37% carbamide peroxide for 21 days, with application of different restorative procedures.

Material and methods.

Six groups were employed (n = 10): 1) non-bleached teeth and pulp chamber sealed with IRM; 2) bleached teeth and pulp chamber sealed with IRM; 3) bleached teeth and pulp chamber filled with light cured composite resin; 4) bleached teeth, root canals prepared at 10mm, filling of the root canal and pulp chamber with IRM; 5) bleached teeth, root canals prepared at 10mm, luting of prefabricated metallic post with zinc phosphate and pulp chamber sealed with composite resin; 6) bleached teeth, root canals prepared at 10mm, luting of glass fiber post with resin cement and pulp chamber sealed with composite resin. After 24-hour storage in distilled water, the specimens were submitted to compressive fracture strength testing in a universal testing machine.

Results.

The following values were found: Group 1 – 56.23kgf; Group 2 – 48.96kgf; Group 3 – 53.99kgf; Group 4 – 45.72kgf; Group 5 – 54.22kgf; Group 6 – 60.12kgf. The analysis of variance did not reveal statistically significant difference between groups (p<0.05), suggesting that internal bleaching with 37% carbamide peroxide did not weaken the dental tissues. The largest number of unfavorable fractures was observed for Groups 2 (50%), 4 (40%), and 5 (30%). Group 6 exhibited the most favorable failure pattern.

Conclusions.

The results suggest that internal bleaching with 37% carbamide peroxide did not significantly weaken the teeth. Among the bleached teeth, those with temporary IRM restorations or metallic posts demonstrated the most unfavorable fracture pattern, whereas the most favorable fracture pattern occurred in teeth restored with composite resin and glass fiber posts.

External cervical resorption: a review

External cervical resorption (ECR) is the loss of dental hard tissue as a result of odontoclastic action; it usually begins on the cervical region of the root surface of the teeth. The etiology, predisposing factors, diagnosis, and management of ECR are reviewed. Effective management and appropriate treatment can only be carried out if the true nature and exact location of the ECR lesion are known. The role of cone beam computed tomography as a diagnostic adjunct for the management of ECR is also reviewed.