Efectos del blanqueamiento dental sobre el tejido pulpar

Abstract

Tooth bleaching is a dynamic process that seeks the removal of stains from tooth structure by using chemicals, mainly hydrogen peroxide and its derivatives, which was first used by 1884 and up to date remains the main active chemical component of many products used for tooth whitening therapies, and is used in its pure or as a final product of the breakdown of other substances used for bleaching, such as carbamide peroxide. Upon contact with the dental tissues, hydrogen peroxide dissociates into free radicals such as reactive oxygen species, which can diffuse through the enamel, dentin and even reach the pulp tissue, causing undesirable effects such as tooth sensitivity, damage to the cellular components and altered blood flow; this deleterious effects are related to the number of sessions, product concentration, time of placement and type of activation (chemical, light, heat and laser).