Influence of a TiF4-loaded scaffold on the aesthetic efficacy, cytotoxicity and microstructure of enamel submitted to in-office dental bleaching.

• Grant number: 23/17703-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Dental Materials
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Alberto de Souza Costa
• Grantee: Alex Pedro Furquim Pereira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to assess the impact of coating enamel with a nanofibrillar scaffold (SN) containing titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) on both the aesthetic efficacy (EE) and cytotoxicity (CT) associated with in-office whitening therapy. To achieve this, standardized enamel/dentin discs will be integrated into artificial pulp chambers. Following the application or non-application of the scaffold on the enamel, a 35% H2O2 whitening gel will be administered for a duration of 45 minutes, resulting in the formation of distinct groups: G1: no treatment (negative control); G2: 35%H2O2 (positive control); G3: 35%H2O2 + SN; G4: 35%H2O2 + SN/1% TiF4; G5: 35%H2O2 + SN/2% TiF4; G6: 35%H2O2 + SN/4% TiF4. The presence of TiF4 in the SN will be confirmed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Upon completion of the bleaching process, the EE (”E00 and ”WI; n=8) and the diffusion of H2O2 through the discs (leucocrystal violet/peroxidase, n=8) will be quantified. The extracts, comprising the culture medium and diffused bleaching gel components, will be applied to MDPC-23 cells, and their viability (Vi; MTT, n=8) and oxidative stress (EOx, n=8) will be assessed. For the enamel surface of the whitened discs, microhardness (n=8) and morphology will be examined through Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis (SEM n=4) and Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS, n=4). The resulting data will undergo specific statistical analyses.