Feasibility of nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma for intracoronal bleaching

Abstract

P>Aim To investigate the effect of nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma on intracoronal tooth bleaching in blood stained human teeth. Methodology Forty extracted single-root and blood stained human teeth were used. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups (n = 20): group 1 received 30% HP activated by nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma in the pulp chamber for 30 min, whilst group 2 received 30% HP alone in the pulp chamber for 30 min. The overall colour changes (Delta E) were assessed using the Commission Internationale de L&apos;Eclairage (CIE) Lab Colour System. The data were analysed using Student&apos;s t-test to determine the significant differences. Results The temperature of all teeth was maintained at approximately 37 degrees C during plasma bleaching. The plasma treatment with 30% HP resulted in significantly higher bleaching efficacy compared to 30% HP alone in discoloured teeth (P < 0.05). The average Delta E values of group 1 and group 2 were 9.24 (0.37) and 4.47 (1.62), respectively, at 30 min. Conclusions The application of nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma to intracoronal bleaching could be a novel and efficient therapy in the bleaching of haemorrhagically stained teeth.