A QUANTITATIVE COMPARISON OF TRADITIONAL AND NON-PEROXIDE BLEACHING AGENTS

Single-rooted premolar teeth, stained with blood utilizing the techniq ue devised by Freccia & Peters (1981), were subjected to traditional a nd non-peroxide bleaching agents. Colour changes were recorded over a period of 7 days using a Speedmaster R75-CP Reflection Densitometer. T he most efficient removal of staining occurred after the application o f 30% hydrogen peroxide, with sodium perborate being 75% as effective. All bleaching agents realized their optimum efficacy within the first 3 days. A combination of three enzymes (amylase, lipase and trypsin) with disodium edetate was not as effective as the routine bleaching ag ents; however, the combination did have a modifying effect on the bloo d stains. It is suggested that other non-peroxide agents should be inv estigated to determine their efficacy in removing staining from experi mentally induced blood-stained teeth.