Brazilian Dental Journal (2013) 24(3): 263-266 ISSN 0103-6440

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0103-6440201302155

E f f e c t o f C a r b a m i d e Pe r ox i d e Department of Dental Materials and

Prosthodontics, Araraquara Dental
School, UNESP - Univ Estadual
Bleaching Gel on Composite Resin Paulista, Araraquara, SP, Brazil

Flexural Strength and Microhardness Correspondence: Prof. Dr. Carlos

Alberto dos Santos Cruz, Rua Humaitá,
1680, 14801-903 Araraquara, SP,
Brasil. Tel: +55-16-3301-6425.
e-mail: [email protected]
Gabriel Rodrigues Hatanaka, Filipe de Oliveira Abi-Rached, Antonio Alves
de Almeida-Júnior, Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz

This study investigated the effect of 16% carbamide peroxide (Whiteness Perfect/FGM) on
the Vickers microhardness and flexural strength of the restorative composites Filtek Z100
(hybrid), Filtek Z350 (nanofill), Brilliant (micro-hybrid) and Opallis (micro-hybrid). Disc-
shaped (4x2 mm; n=5) and bar-shaped (12x2x1 mm; n=10) specimens of each restorative
material were randomly divided into 2 groups: (G1) 16 weeks stored in distilled water;
(G2) 16 weeks stored in distilled water, with 16% carbamide peroxide application during
6 h per day for the last 4 weeks. The mechanical properties were evaluated using a Vickers
microhardness tester and a mechanical testing machine. Data were analyzed by two-
way ANOVA and Tukey’s (HSD) post-hoc test (α=0.05). Filtek Z100 presented the highest
microhardness value, followed by Filtek Z350 and finally by Brilliant and Opallis (p=0.00).
Filtek Z100 and Brilliant exhibited the highest flexural strength value, followed by Filtek
Z350 and Opallis (p=0.00). Bleaching treatment decreased significantly microhardness Key Words: bleaching
of Brilliant and Opallis (p=0.00). The flexural strength of all studied materials was not agents, hardness, strength,
affected by the home bleaching (p=0.28). composite resins.

Introduction bleaching agents on several restorative materials used in

Dental bleaching has been widely used in dentistry the posterior region of oral cavity, such as amalgam (7),
as an effective and non-invasive aesthetic dental composite resins (8-13), glass ionomer cement (11,13,14)
treatment (1). Different techniques may be employed for and feldspathic porcelain (11,14). According to these
brightening discolored teeth, such as: home bleaching, studies, bleaching agents are able to modify the porosity
in-office bleaching or a combination of both (2). Since its (14), hardness (15), flexural strength (13) and color stability
introduction by Haywood and Heymann (3), home bleaching (16) of restorative composites.
has become an attractive treatment modality for patients Considering the increasing use of aesthetic restorative
and dentists due to its excellent clinical effectiveness, easy materials on posterior teeth, as well as the dental
application, lower cost and safety of the used materials bleaching procedures, it is important to evaluate the
(1,4). In general, as cited by Attin et al. (5), this technique effect of bleaching agents on the mechanical properties
uses low-concentration peroxide-containing agents of composite resin restorations. Thus, the aim of this study
generally with a low cost individual tray for 2-4 weeks was to investigate the effect of 16% carbamide peroxide
and application intervals of 4-8 h per day. A 10-17 years for 4 weeks by 6 h per day on the Vickers microhardness
follow-up study (4) showed that home bleaching provided and flexural strength of 4 restorative composites.
patient satisfaction with minimal side effects.
One of the products used for this procedure is the Material and Methods
carbamide peroxide at 10-16% concentrations, which The restorative materials evaluated in this study are
degrades into free radicals (OH-) when in contact with saliva. summarized in Table 1. Photoactivation was performed
The breakdown of large pigmented molecules into smaller with a visible light-curing unit (Optilight Plus; Gnatus
ones by these free radicals modifies the reflected wavelength Equipamentos Médico-Odontológicos Ltda, Ribeirão Preto,
of light and consequently changes the teeth color and SP, Brazil) at an irradiance of 500 mW/cm2, which was
translucency (6). As the bleaching agents are not able of assessed with a radiometer (DMC Equipamentos Ltda, São
influencing the optical properties of restorative materials, Carlos, SP, Brazil) prior to each use.
they must be replaced on the anterior teeth if aesthetically To prepare specimens for the microhardness test (n=5),
unsatisfactory (5). However, after dental bleaching, it is composite resins were inserted in a single increment into
not necessary to replace functionally acceptable posterior circular autopolymerizing acrylic resin matrices (4.0 mm
restorations. Thus, studies have investigated the effects of diameter and 2.0 mm deep). A glass slab and a metal disc
 Braz Dent J 24(3) 2013 

of 1.0 kg were placed on top of the materials during their Ensaio Ltda, São José dos Pinhais, PR, Brazil) at a crosshead
photoactivation. The composite resins were polymerized speed of 0.5 mm/min.
for 40 s by the metal disc opening/aperture. During this Data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA
procedure, the tip of the light-curing unit was in contact and Tukey’s (HSD) post-hoc test at a significance level
with the glass slab surface. After that, all specimens of 5%.
were smoothed with 600- and 1200-grit silicon carbide
sandpapers in a polishing unit (Metaserv 2000; Buehler Results
UK Ltd, Coventry, UK). The microhardness and flexural strength data are
For the flexural strength test (n=10), bar-shaped presented in Tables 2 and 3, respectively.
specimens (12 mm long x 2 mm wide x 1 mm high) Filtek Z100 presented the highest hardness value,
were produced by a custom-made metal split matrix. followed by Filtek Z350 and finally by Brilliant and Opallis,
The restorative composites were inserted as previously which showed statistically similar hardness values (p=0.00).
mentioned and light-cured for 120 s (40 s in each length Bleaching treatment adversely affected only Brilliant and
of approximately 4 mm). Opallis (p=0.00).
The specimens of each restorative material were Filtek Z100 and Brilliant exhibited the highest mean
randomly divided into 2 groups: (G1) 16 weeks stored in flexural strength value, followed by Filtek Z350 and
distilled water, without bleaching agent application; (G2) Opallis (p=0.00). The bleaching agent did not produce any
16 weeks stored in distilled water, with 16% carbamide statistically significant influence on the flexural properties
peroxide (Whiteness Perfect; FGM Produtos Odontológicos, of the tested restorative materials (p=0.28).
Joinville, SC, Brazil) application during 6 h per day for the
last 4 weeks. The bleaching gel was applied directly on the Discussion
top of the bleaching surfaces with a 0.5 mm thickness. The results of the present study showed statistical
Throughout the experiment, all specimens were kept inside differences among the restorative materials. The mechanical
G.R. Hatanaka et al.

a lightproof recipient at 37 ± 1 ºC. properties of composite resins are determined by the

For the surface microhardness measurements, a Vickers interaction of several factors, such as composition, degree
microhardness tester (model 1600-6300; Buehler, Lake of conversion of polymer chains, filler volume-fraction, filler
Bluff, IL, USA) was used with a 0.98 N load and 30 s dwell particle size and distribution, and the interfacial properties
time. Eight microhardness measurements were obtained between the filler and resin matrix (17, 18). Thus, the higher
on the top surface of each specimen. Three-point flexural filler content (71%) of Filtek Z100 hybrid composite may
strength test was performed with a mechanical testing have contributed to the higher hardness performance (81.7
machine (EMIC DL2000; EMIC Equipamentos e Sistemas de VHN/81.5 VHN) of this composite in relation to the other

Table 1. Materials evaluated

Material Type Matrix Filler Shade Batch#

Filtek Z100 Zirconia/silica

3M/ESPE, St. Hybrid Bis-GMA/TEGDMA 4.5 µm (maximum size) A 3.5 7EP
Paul, MN, USA 71 vol%

Zirconia/silica
Filtek Z350
Bis-GMA/UDMA 0.005-0.02 µm
3M/ESPE, St. Nanofill A 3.5 9AK
Bis-EMA/TEGDMA (cluster size 0.6-1.4 µm)
Paul, MN, USA
59.5 vol%

Brilliant Silica
Coltène Whaledent AG Micro-hybrid Methacrylates 0.5 µm (mean size) A 3.5 0126172
Altstätten, Switzerland 58.5-59 vol%

Opallis
Silica
FGM Odontological Bis-GMA/UDMA
Micro-hybrid 0.5 µm (mean size) A 3.5 211107
Products, Joinville, Bis-EMA/TEGDMA
57-58 vol%
SC, Brazil

Bis-GMA: bisphenol-A diglycidylether dimethacrylate. Bis-EMA: bisphenol-A ethoxylated dimethacrylate. TEGDMA: triethylene glycol dimethacrylate.
UDMA: uretane dimethacrylate.
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tested restorative materials. However, among the other possible negative effect of the aggregated zirconia/silica
composites, which present filler volume-fraction around cluster filler, which favored the crack propagation (11).
60%, was observed a higher hardness value of Filtek Z350 The literature has shown contradictory results for the
nanofilled composite (55.5 VHN/52.9 VHN) when compared effect of bleaching agents on microhardness of composite
to Brilliant (47.9 VHN/43.5 VHN) and Opallis (45.3 VHN/40.7 resins (20). Some studies reported an increase (9,21), others
VHN) micro-hybrid composites. This better behavior of Filtek a decrease (8,22,23) or no change (10,24) in composite
Z350 is possibly related to the effect of composition and surface hardness after application of carbamide peroxide
degree of conversion of the polymer matrix on hardness, agents, reflecting, aside the composition of composite
as well as the resin matrix greater mechanical strength, resins, the effect of specimen aging during the moment
as reported by Ferracane et al. (18). Another important of bleaching procedure (18).
factor that might have contributed to the higher hardness The softening effect of bleaching agent on Brilliant and
value of Filtek Z350 nanofilled composite was the higher Opallis microhardness may have occurred by the breakdown
resistance of the aggregated zirconia/silica cluster filler to of carbamide peroxide into free radicals which may induce
the Vickers indenter. oxidative cleavage of polymer chains (11,12). However,
For the flexural strength of the evaluated materials, the the same phenomenon was not observed for Filtek Z100
filler volume-fraction does not seem to be a decisive factor, and Filtek Z350, possibly by their different composition of
as Filtek Z100 hybrid composite (71%) and Brilliant micro- monomer resins, which are not susceptible to the previously
hybrid composite (around 60%) exhibited statistically mentioned oxidative reaction.
similar mean flexural strength values (141.7 MPa/127.7 The adverse effects of bleaching procedure for the
MPa and 145.7 MPa/119.2 MPa, respectively). Assuming that microhardness tests were not observed in flexural strength

Effect of bleaching gel on composite resins

during the flexural strength tests, the crack propagation in tests, perhaps because the resistance of the silane coupling
the specimen is intergranular (11), probably the chemical agent to the oxidative cleavage or by the short period of
bonds promoted by silane coupling agent at resin-filler exposure.
interface may also have influenced this mechanical property Finally, it should be taken into account the bleaching
(19), promoting a balance between the composite resins, treatment protocol, as home bleaching uses low-
despite their different volume of filler particles. Filtek Z350 concentration peroxide-containing agents. Studies that
nanofilled and Opallis microhybrid composites showed evaluate more intensive protocols, such as the combination
significantly different flexural strength values between between home bleaching and in-office bleaching, as well as
them (84.1 MPa/106.2 MPa and 85.2 MPa/83.7 MPa, the association with light and heat, should be conducted,
respectively) and lower than Brilliant (145.7 MPa/119.2 since these methods may enhance the adverse effects of
MPa), although these three composite resins contain similar the bleaching agents over the mechanical strength of
filler volume fraction. This fact demonstrates that the composite resins.
composition and degree of conversion of the resin matrix, Under the conditions of this study, the following
as well as the amount of filler particles are not the only conclusions can be drawn: 1. Filtek Z100 presented the
factors affecting the mechanical strength of restorative highest hardness value, followed by Filtek Z350 and finally
composites. The lower flexural strength value of Filtek Z350 by Brilliant and Opallis, which showed similar behavior;
nanofilled composite when compared to Filtek Z100 hybrid 2. Filtek Z100 and Brilliant exhibited the highest flexural
and Brilliant microhybrid composites was the result of a strength value, followed by Filtek Z350 and Opallis; 3. Home

Table 2. Mean microhardness values (VHN), standard deviations (±) Table 3. Mean flexural strength values (MPa), standard deviations (±)
and statistical results and statistical results

Composite resin G1 G2 Composite resin G1 G2

Filtek Z100 81.7±1.9 Aa 81.5±2.4 Aa Filtek Z100 141.7±19.8 Aa 127.7±32.4 Aa

Filtek Z350 55.5±1.6 Ba 52.9±1.9 Ba Filtek Z350 84.1±15.8 Ba 106.2±21.5 ABa

Brilliant 47.9±0.4 Ca 43.5±2.9 Cb Brilliant 145.7±18.3 Aa 119.2±21.5 Aa

Opallis 45.3±1.5 Ca 40.7±3.1 Cb Opallis 85.2±14.9 Ba 83.7±12.6 Ba

Standard error = 0.70. Critical value (5%) = 3.15. Different lowercase Standard error = 6.45. Critical value (5%) = 28.13. Different lowercase
superscripted letters indicate statistically significant differences in rows superscripted letters indicate statistically significant differences in rows
(p<0.05). Different uppercase superscripted letters indicate statistically (p<0.05). Different uppercase superscripted letters indicate statistically
significant differences in columns (p<0.05). significant differences in columns (p<0.05).
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