Objectives: To evaluate the effect of 30% hydrogen peroxide on the surface changes and nanomechanical properties of intertubular dentine.
Methods: Five freshly extracted human premolars were sectioned and two specimens were obtained from each tooth. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of dentine were taken. Baseline hardness and Young's modulus of intertubular dentine were determined using nanoindentation testing and recorded. The specimens were then treated with either 0.5 ml of Hank's balanced salt solution (control group) or 30% hydrogen peroxide at 24 degrees C for 24 h. AFM imaging and determination of hardness and Young's modulus of intertubular dentine were then repeated. The images were compared and statistical analyses of hardness and Young's modulus were carried out using paired sample t-tests.
Results: The AFM images showed recession of the intertubular dentine surface post-bleaching. For the control group, there was no significant change in hardness (p=0.124) and Young's modulus (p=0.438) of intertubular dentine. However, a significant decrease in hardness (p=0.002) and Young's modulus (p=0.001) of intertubular dentine was observed for the experimental group.
Conclusions: Exposure to 30% hydrogen peroxide for 24 h caused surface changes to intertubular dentine and significantly decreased the hardness and Young's modulus of intertubular dentine.