Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of experimental bleaching gels containing chitosan and theobromine compared with BioWhiten ProHome and FGM Whiteness Perfect bleaching gels on tooth surface roughness, microhardness, and colour change.
Materials and methods: One hundred-forty-four upper central incisors were used for microhardness, surface roughness, and colour analysis (n=12). Before bleaching, surface roughness was measured using a profilometer, microhardness was analysed using a Vickers test, and colour was measured using a spectrophotometer. Group 1, an experimental gel containing chitosan-theobromine (16% CP); Group 2, an experimental gel containing chitosan-theobromine (6% HP); Group 3, BioWhiten ProHome (6% HP), and Group 4, FGM Whiteness Perfect (16% CP). Microhardness and surface roughness tests were performed under the same conditions before and after bleaching and 14 days after the bleaching. Colour analysis was performed before the bleaching, during the application, 24 hours after bleaching, and on days 7 and 14. p <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Although there was no statistically significant increase in microhardness values after bleaching in any group (p>0.05), effective bleaching was detected in all groups, and the highest efficacy was observed in Group 4 (p<0.05).
Conclusions: The experimental gels containing theobromine and chitosan produced effective bleaching and did not have any negative effects on surface roughness or microhardness.
Clinical Relevance: Bleaching agents lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species, which have genotoxic effects. Theobromine and chitosan can provide clinicians with positive results for bleaching, such as the ability to use lower HP concentrations and avoid side effects.