The Effect of Bleaching on the Morphology of Enamel

摘要

Enamel of the teeth is the hardest tissue in the human body which protects them. The composition of enamel is 94-96% inorganic, 1% organic, and 4-5% water. Discoloration of the enamel which may be caused by chemicals, medicine or trauma has a psychological impact in person, characterized by lack of self-confidence. The bleaching material will produce free radicals and interact with the source of the discoloration causing compounds and break down the discoloration molecular bonds into simple compound forms resulting in elimination of discoloration and reaching the saturation point. If continue this process (over bleaching), it will damage the tooth structure. Bleaching materials give unwanted side effects on the enamel tissue, particularly changes in enamel morphology such as porosity, crater, depression, increased enamel depth, and missing asprimatic layers. Lack of attachment between hydroxyapatite crystals after exposure to bleaching materials can occur due to the enamel experiencing protein characterized by the formation of larger crystal gaps, altered crystalline shapes, and increased porosity. This article will also describe a mixture of sweet potatoes with a solution of hydrogen peroxide during the bleaching process in order to reduce free radical resulting in reduced risks on the morphology of enamel such as morphological surface irregularities, reduced groove, and no crater.