Sônia Saeger Meireles

Objective: To evaluate hydrogen peroxide (HP) permeability into the pulp chamber, objective color change, and enamel surface morphology after overnight use of over‐the‐counter (OTC) whitening pens. Materials and Methods: Fifty sound premolars were assigned to five groups ( n = 10): control, Optic White Pen LED (OW), Colgate Luminous White Whitening Pen (LW), Equate Teeth Whitening Kit (EQ), and Whiteness Perfect 10% (WP). Fifteen molars were used for enamel surface analyses (microhardness and roughness). Products were applied for 8 h/day for 10 days. HP penetration (μg/mL) and color change (Δ E _ab , Δ E ₀₀ , and WI _D ) were measured by spectrophotometer. Initial HP concentration and pH were determined by titration and pH meter. Data were analyzed using ANOVA ( α = 0.05). Results: EQ showed the highest HP concentration and the lowest pH. HP penetration was significantly higher for EQ and lowest for WP ( p < 0.05). No significant differences in Δ E _ab and Δ E ₀₀ were observed among products, while WI _D increased over time in all groups. Enamel surface changes were similar, except for EQ, which showed reduced microhardness ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Overnight OTC whitening pens showed comparable cumulative bleaching efficacy. However, EQ resulted in greater pulpal HP penetration and enamel softening. Clinical Significance: Prolonged overnight OTC whitening pen use may increase pulpal exposure and enamel softening risk, reinforcing cautious use and professional supervision.

Objective: This randomized clinical trial evaluated the one‐year color stability and patient satisfaction regarding dental esthetic improvement after 37.5% hydrogen peroxide (37.5HP) in‐office bleaching with a reduced application protocol. Materials and Methods: Forty participants with a shade mean C2 or darker were randomly allocated into two treatment groups ( n = 20): two (37.5HP2) or three (37.5HP3) 8‐min applications per clinical session. Three bleaching sessions were performed at one‐week intervals. Tooth color was measured using a spectrophotometer at baseline, 1 week (1 W), 6 months (6 M), and 1 year (1 Y) post‐bleaching. Esthetic self‐perception was assessed using a 6‐point visual analogue scale. Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro–Wilk, Student's t ‐test, Tukey, Mann–Whitney, and Friedman tests ( p < 0.05). Results: No significant differences were observed between 37.5HP2 and 37.5HP3 for Δ, Δ E ₀₀ , or ∆WI _D across the evaluation periods ( p > 0.05). Although both treatment protocols remained effective at 1Y post‐bleaching, a significant color rebound was observed from the 6 M assessment ( p < 0.05). Patient satisfaction with dental esthetics was comparable between groups ( p = 0.3). Conclusions: Two and three 37.5% HP applications provided similar bleaching stability after one year. Patients remained highly satisfied with their smile, regardless of the number of gel applications. Clinical Significance: Clinicians may consider using a neutral 37.5% HP in‐office bleaching gel with two 8‐min applications per session, as it provides the same one‐year bleaching longevity as the manufacturer's recommended protocol of three applications.

Objective: This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the influence of a purple repositioning silicone guide on color assessment before and after at‐home tooth bleaching. Materials and Methods: Forty‐five individuals received 10% carbamide peroxide at‐home tooth bleaching using custom trays on both arches, 3 h per day for 2 weeks. Upper canines were evaluated with a spectrophotometer in two different ways: with and without (control) a purple silicone guide. Tooth color was assessed using the CIELab (Δ E * _ab ), CIEDE2000 (Δ E ₀₀ ), and the whitening index for dentistry (Δ WI _D ) at baseline, 2 and 4 weeks after the beginning of treatment. Data were analyzed using paired t tests for dependent samples ( p < 0.05). Results: At all evaluation periods, the use of the purple silicone guide resulted in lower b * values and higher WI _D values ( p < 0.001) compared with the control group. At 2 and 4 weeks, the repositioning guide resulted in lighter teeth (higher values of Δ E * _ab , Δ E ₀₀ , and Δ WI _D ) than the group that did not use the guide ( p < 0.04). Conclusions: The use of a purple repositioning guide with a spectrophotometer influenced the color measurement of upper canines before and after at‐home tooth bleaching.

Objetivo: Levantar e caracterizar os Bancos de Dentes Humanos (BDHs) em instituições de ensino superior no Brasil, analisando aspectos éticos, legais e logísticos, bem como as formas de utilização dos dentes no contexto acadêmico e científico. Metodologia: Estudo transversal, descritivo e quantitativo, aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa (CEP) do Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS) da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB) (CAAE: 75679823.7.0000.5188). A coleta dos dados ocorreu entre 2024 e 2025 por meio de questionário eletrônico enviado via e-mail, com até quatro tentativas e ligações telefônicas complementares. Os dados foram organizados em planilhas do Excel e analisados descritivamente. Resultados: Das 583 instituições, 84 responderam, e 20 relataram possuir BDH. Destas, 16 tinham aprovação do CEP e 13 estavam cadastradas na Comissão Nacional de Ética em Pesquisa (CONEP). A captação dos dentes ocorre principalmente por parcerias com clínicas odontológicas, hospitais, Unidades Básicas de Saúde e doadores voluntários. A limpeza é realizada com soluções desinfetantes e a esterilização, majoritariamente em autoclave. O armazenamento ocorre em recipientes refrigerados e individualizados. O uso abrange ensino, pesquisa e extensão (n=10), pesquisa e extensão (n=4), apenas ensino (n=4) e exclusivamente pesquisa (n=2). Conclusões: O estudo revelou escassez de BDHs no Brasil, embora os existentes atuem em conformidade com as normas éticas e legais. Os BDHs são fundamentais para o uso seguro e regulamentado de dentes humanos, contribuindo para a formação acadêmica e o avanço científico.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of active at‐home bleaching gel application through brushing on hydrogen peroxide (HP) penetration and color change compared to passive application.Materials and Methods: Thirty‐five premolars were divided into five groups: no treatment; passive application of 10% carbamide peroxide gel (10% CP) 28 times for 180 min (28 AH); and active brushing of 10% CP once (1 TB), 28 times (28 TB), and 120 times for 90 s each (120 TB). Brushing was performed using soft‐bristled toothbrushes on stabilized specimens. HP penetration was assessed by UV–VIS spectroscopy, and color change was assessed by spectrophotometer. ANOVA, Tukey's, and Dunnett's tests were used (α = 0.05).Results: The 120 TB group showed the highest HP penetration (0.022 ± 0.023 μg/mL) (p < 0.05), while the 28 AH (0.009 ± 0.008 μg/mL) and 28 TB groups (0.003 ± 0.003 μg/mL) yielded intermediate, similar results. A similarly high color change was observed in the 28 AH (ΔE _ab = 12.8 ± 1.2; ΔE ₀₀ = 11.2 ± 1.4; ΔWI_D = 22.8 ± 3.2), 28 TB (ΔE _ab = 13.2 ± 4.5; ΔE ₀₀ = 9.5 ± 2.7; ΔWI_D = 16.7 ± 2.0), and 120 TB groups (ΔE _ab = 10.8 ± 1.8; ΔE ₀₀ = 7.5 ± 3.2; ΔWI_D = 19.3 ± 3.4), significantly greater compared to the 1 TB (ΔE _ab = 1.8 ± 0.2; ΔE ₀₀ = 1.2 ± 0.4; ΔWI_D = 1.7 ± 0.7) (p < 0.05).Conclusions: This in vitro study demonstrates that the active application of 10% CP for 42 min can achieve HP penetration and bleaching efficacy comparable to a passive four‐week regimen (28 × 180 min).Clinical Significance: This preliminary study suggests that brushing with at‐home bleaching gel can achieve a similar hydrogen peroxide penetration into the pulp chamber and color change as traditional at‐home bleaching, but in shorter application times.

Objetivos: Avaliar a eficácia preventiva do adesivo dentinário (AD) contra descoloração causada por diferentes pastas antibióticas. Metodologia: Cento e quarenta dentes bovinos foram acessados e seus tecidos pulpares foram removidos. Após a medição inicial do espectrofotômetro de cor, 60 dentes foram submetidos ao AD antes da inserção das pastas antibióticas. Em seguida, os dentes foram alocados aleatoriamente em seis grupos (n = 20): PTA (Metronidazol, Ciprofloxacina e Minociclina), PTAM (Metronidazol, Ciprofloxacina e Amoxicilina), PDA (Metronidazol e Ciprofloxacina), AD + PTA, AD + PTAM e AD + PDA. Vinte dentes compuseram os dois grupos controle: um sem procedimentos e outro com aplicação de AD. As amostras foram descoloridas com pastas antibióticas durante um período de quatro semanas. As leituras espectrofotométricas foram obtidas nas superfícies vestibulares da coroa no dia 1 até 4 semanas após o preenchimento, e o valor de E foi calculado. Os dados foram analisados com os testes ANOVA de duas vias, Tukey post-hoc e teste t para amostras independentes (p = 0,05). Resultados: O grupo PTA induziu mais descoloração coronária quando comparado aos outros grupos testados (p < 0,05). A aplicação do AD diminuiu os valores de E apenas no grupo PTA, após a primeira semana (p < 0,05); no entanto, o escurecimento ainda foi clinicamente perceptível. Nos demais grupos, a aplicação do AD não interferiu na variação da cor nos diferentes momentos avaliados (p > 0,05). Conclusões: A pasta antibiótica contendo minociclina causou a maior descoloração coronária. A aplicação prévia do AD não contribuiu para prevenir a descoloração.

This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of whitening toothpastes and at-home bleaching for the treatment of tooth discoloration.

Introduction. Universal single-shade composite resins are characterized by a property that enables the creation of restorations that mimic tooth structure to the extent possible with fewer shades of color. Objectives. This study aimed to instrumentally and visually evaluate the color correspondence of two single-shade composite resins in extracted human teeth multishade composite resins. Methods. Upper central incisors and upper and/or lower molars with intact buccal surfaces were selected. The study consisted of a control group (n = 20): Z250 XT (3M ESPE) (G1) multishade composite resin in colors A1 to A4, and a test group (n = 20) divided further into two equal groups, consisting of single-shade composite resin Omnichroma (Tokuyama Dental) (G2) and single-shade composite resin Vittra APS Unique from (FGM) (G3). Instrumental evaluation was performed using a spectrophotometer, and visual evaluation was performed by three observers. Descriptive measurements related to the differences in color obtained through instrumental means were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, wherein the means were compared using ANOVA, applying the Bonferroni post hoc test. Results. A statistically significant difference was observed among the groups (G1, G2, and G3) (ANOVA: ). For the visual assessment, regardless of the assessment group, 77.49% of the teeth were within the acceptable color-match classification, with the single-shade resins showing better correspondence than the multishade resins. Conclusion. Single-shade composite resins showed different color-matching results when compared to multishade resins, both in spectrophotometry and visual evaluations. Clinical Significance. Single-shade composite resins simplify the shade-selection process and are promising materials for use in dental practice.

Objetivo: Revisar a literatura sobre a importância dos Bancos de Dentes Humanos (BDHs). Metodologia: Foram utilizadas as bases de dados BBO, Lilacs, SciELO, Google acadêmico e PubMed. Foram coletados artigos científicos completos relacionados ao tema, publicados entre os anos de 2013 e 2023, nos idiomas português e inglês. Os descritores em português e inglês respectivamente foram: “Bioética”/ ”Bioethics”, “Obtenção de Tecidos e Órgãos”/ “Tissue and Organ Procurement”, “Dente”/ ”Tooth” e “Educação em Odontologia”/ “Education, Dental”. Resultados: Foram selecionados 80 estudos, 24 foram excluídos por excederem o tempo delimitado de 10 anos. Após a leitura, 40 estudos foram descartados pelos critérios de exclusão, resultando em 16 artigos. Os BDHs são entidades autônomas de grande impacto no processo didático-científico dentro das instituições de ensino Odontológico e são fundamentais na aplicação da legislação vigente que tange a doação de órgãos no país. São competências dos BDHs: a arrecadação, a limpeza, o armazenamento e a distribuição dos dentes, assim como, a formulação de campanhas de conscientização e divulgação. Conclusão: A importância dos BDHs consiste em desempenhar função educativa de valorização do órgão dental e em disponibilizar elementos dentários humanos, que foram concedidos voluntariamente, para utilização em estudos anatômicos, treinamentos pré-clínicos e pesquisas científicas. A concessão e a utilização dos elementos extraídos permitem uma formação acadêmica prática e efetiva. Adicionalmente, são necessários mais estudos sobre BDHs para divulgação e conscientização da população em geral.