Ex-vivo evaluation of the intrapulpal temperature variation and fracture strength in teeth subjected to different external bleaching protocols.

This study evaluated the influence of bleaching protocols on intrapulpal temperature and fracture strength of the bleached teeth. Ninety maxillary incisors were assigned to 9 groups (n=10): G1: 35% carbamide peroxide (35% CP), G2: 38% hydrogen peroxide (38% HP), G3: halogen light, G4: LED-laser, G5: 35% CP + halogen light, G6: 38% HP + halogen light, G7: 35% CP + LED-laser, G8: 38% HP + LED-laser, and G9: no treatment (control). Pulp space was widened, a thermocouple was introduced through the apex up to the pulp chamber and the temperature was recorded (°C). The fracture strength (kN) was determined using an Instron machine. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). The halogen light alone (1.10 ± 0.24) (G3) and associated with 38% HP (1.15 ± 0.30) (G6) produced the highest temperature increase, statistically different (p<0.05) from the other groups. G1 (0.15 ± 0.06) and G6 (0.19 ± 0.07) produced the lowest values, statistically different (p<0.05) from G5 (0.65 ± 0.49). The bleaching protocols increased the temperature, but no increment exceeded the critical value of 5.6°C. Neither 35% CP nor 38% HP or the light sources alone altered the fracture strength of the teeth.