Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine - Department of Oral Biology

Aim: This study aimed at evaluating the bleaching potential of curcumin and strawberries used as home remedies as compared to the conventional home bleaching agent carbamide peroxide gel. The study assessed the resultant effects on morphology, surface roughness, micro-hardness, color change and mineral content of human enamel. Methodology: Twenty seven extracted sound human third molars stained by Nescafé solution were randomly divided into three equal groups (n=9); Opalescence® (20% carbamide peroxide), do-it yourself (DIY) strawberry paste and curcumin groups. Samples were assessed by spectrophotometer, Vickers micro-hardness tester, 3D optical non-contact image analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). Measurements were recorded at baseline, after Nescafé immersion and after treatment application. Comparisons between 3 groups were done using the ANOVA for normally distributed variables and Kruskal Wallis test for non-normally distributed variables. Results: After treatment application, there was a significant difference among the three groups in color changes; Opalescence® group recorded the highest mean value (17.44±2.35), followed by DIY group (13.50 vii ±4.66) and then the curcumin group (12.63±4.26). There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in enamel micro-hardness as compared to the baseline within each group; Opalescence® group was the most affected (P=0.029), followed by DIY (P=0.017) and then the curcumin (P=0.033) group. The surface roughness increased within each group (P= 0.0001); Opalescence® group recorded the highest mean value (0.5519 ±0.0275), followed by DIY (0.5243 ±0.0278) and curcumin (0.4621 ±0.0124) groups. Surface topographic alterations by SEM among the 3 groups were more evident in the Opalescence® group

Issued also as CD