Background In this study was evaluated the effect of carbamide peroxide (CP) and hydrogen peroxide (HP) in different concentrations on hardness, roughness, and color parameters (color change - ΔE, lightness - ΔL, and yellow-blue axis - Δb) of bovine teeth. Material and Methods Fifty square dental blocks (7 x 7 x 2 mm) were submitted to initial readings of Knoop hardness, surface roughness (Ra), and color parameters. Specimens were divided into 5 groups (n = 10): control group was kept in artificial saliva during the experimental period; CP 20% was bleached for 2 h daily for 14 days, HP 9.5% was bleached for 30 min daily for 14 days, HP 38% the bleaching gel was applied for 15 min, gel was removed and it was reapplied for two more times, the bleaching session was repeated for another 2 times every 7 days, totaling three sessions, and in CP 45% three sessions of 30 min each were performed of 7 in 7 days. All groups after the bleaching procedures had the bleaching gel removed, washed, and kept in artificial saliva. At the end of bleaching treatment, the hardness, roughness, and color parameters (ΔE, ΔL, and Δb) were re-evaluated. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, Tukey, and Dunnett tests (α = 0.05). Results Bleaching promoted a reduction in hardness, the CP 45% showed the lowest hardness and the CP 20% the highest, the HP 9.5% and HP 38% showed intermediate values of hardness. Bleaching agents did not affect the roughness. CP 20% and HP 38% promoted the highest values of ΔE and higher reduction of yellowish tone of tooth. Lightness increase after bleaching treatment for all groups. Conclusions All the bleaching agents tested showed effectiveness, but with reduced hardness. Key words: Carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, tooth whitening, hardness, roughness.

Background: In this study was assessed the surface roughness and chemical composition of tooth enamel and composite resin after bleaching treatment, immersion in acidic beverages, and simulated toothbrushing. Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty dental blocks (10 x 10 x 3 mm) were randomly assigned (n = 10) according to surface treatment [none (N), bleaching (B), toothbrushing (T), and B+T] and storage medium [saliva (S), whiskey (W), and orange juice (O)]: experimental groups -N+S, N+W, N+O, B+S, B+W, B+O, S+T, W+T, O+T, B+S+T, B+W+T, and B+O+T. Two bleaching sessions were conducted using 38% hydrogen peroxide (3 applications). Surface roughness was measured using a roughness tester and composition was determined by micro energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (µ-EDXRF) before and after treatments. Calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio in enamel and silica (Si) content in composite were evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Results: Overall, increased values of surface roughness for enamel and composite were observed mainly after immersion in orange juice and bleaching/toothbrushing association. Moreover, this association and immersion in whiskey resulted in lower Ca/P ratio and after aging methods, bleached and bleached/toothbrushed groups showed decreased in Ca/P ratio compared to initial values. All groups showed Si content decrease at the end, except the group without surface treatment and immersed in saliva, and bleaching followed by immersion in orange juice and toothbrushing caused the highest Si reduction. Conclusions: Bleaching and toothbrushing combination strengthened the effects caused by acidic drinks on roughness and chemical composition of enamel and composite.

Background In this study was assessed the degree of conversion (DC) of amine-free resin cements light cured through lithium disilicate-reinforced ceramics at different thicknesses and translucency. Material and Methods Specimens were divided into 21 groups (n = 5) according to luting agent used: Variolink Esthetic LC (Light shade), RelyX Ultimate (A1 shade), and Filtek Z350 XT Flow (A1 shade); the ceramic translucency: low (LT) and high (HT); and the ceramic thickness: no ceramic (control), 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm. A Teflon mold with (5 x 5 x 0.5 mm) was used to standardize the cement and over it the ceramic block from each group was placed. Set was cured using a polywave LED light (1200 mW/cm2 - Bluephase G2) for 40 s. FTIR spectra of uncured and cured materials was obtained and DC calculated from the height of the peaks 1610 and 1640 cm-1. Data were submitted to ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Results There was a significant difference for luting agents ( p < 0.0001) and translucency ( p = 0.025), but not for thickness ( p = 0.73). Dual amine-free RelyX Ultimate showed the lowest DC values and higher translucency promoted higher DC. Conclusions Dual amine-free cement showed the lowest monomer conversion and higher translucency ceramics promoted a higher DC. Key words: Ceramic, degree of conversion, resin cement, thickness, translucency.

Background Different materials have been incorporated into the polymethylmethacrylate matrix to improve its performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion (DC), the flexural strength (FS), the elasticity modulus (EM), and the effect of exposure to food-simulating liquids prior to brushing simulation on the gloss loss (GL) of experimental acrylic resins modified by nanoparticles. Material and Methods Three different types of nanoparticles; silicon oxide (SiO2), cerium oxide (CeO2) and titanium oxide (TiO2) were added to a poly (methylmethacrylate) matrix, in proportions of 0.5wt%, 1wt% and 3wt% each, forming nine experimental groups. The acrylic resin was also tested as a control group. DC was investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A three-point bending test was used for FS and EM. GL after chemical degradation and simulated brushing was evaluated using a glossmeter. Data were submitted to one and two-way ANOVA followed by Duncan’s post hoc test (α=0.05). Results All nanoparticle-modified groups showed higher values of DC. Ce1% showed higher values of FS and EM. All other groups showed similar or lower physical-mechanical properties (FS, EM, GL). Regarding type and wt%, CeO2 and TiO2 groups had better performances and were similar to each other. Conclusions Incorporating metal nanoparticles, especially CeO2, could improve the physical properties of the dental materials. Key words: Polymethylmetacrylate, degree of conversion, flexural strength, elasticity modulus, gloss loss.