Effects of professional oral hygiene and teeth whitening on the microelement composition of enamel

Abstract

Aim: The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of professional teeth cleaning and the substances used in modern dentistry for whitening on the microelement composition of tooth enamel. Materials and methods: To study the morphology and microelement composition of the enamel, scanning electron microscopy was performed using the MiraLM microscope equipped with a Schottky field emission electron gun from Tescan. Results: A comparative analysis between the areas subjected to mechanical cleaning and those where it was not applied revealed a significant difference in the research results, particularly in carbon, which changed from 25.16±1.04 to 32.02±1.8. An analysis of the enamel’s chemical composition before and after whitening revealed a decrease in carbon from 45.91±1.20 to 42.46±1.74. The change in phosphorus content was determined to be from 9.77±0.39 to 9.56±0.75. A decrease in calcium from 15.96±0.64 to 15.21±1.22 and magnesium from 0.07±0.01 to 0.01±0.01 was also observed. Conclusions: Professional dental hygiene does not have a direct impact on the microelement composition of enamel, such as the levels of calcium, phosphorus, fluoride, and other microelements. However, it can have an indirect and temporary influence due to the use of abrasive materials that affect dental deposits, pellicle, and the surface layer of enamel. Teeth whitening can affect the microelement composition of enamel, but these changes are mostly temporary and associated with processes of demineralization/remineralization and oxygenation.