Effect of Actilux - Activated Whitening Toothpaste and Marine Salts on Color Change and Microhardness of Bovine Enamel

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of Actilux-activated whitening toothpaste and Marine salts powder on color change and microhardness of bovine enamel. Methods: Thirty intact bovine incisors were used in this study to produce enamel specimens. The specimens were randomly distributed into three groups (n= 10) according to the tested whitening agents as follows: Group I: BW; BlanX LED White Shock (Actilux-activated), Group II: MS; Marine salts whitening powder and Group III: CR; Crest regular fluoridated toothpaste. The specimens were stained using black tea solution for 5 days. Each specimen was brushed twice daily for 8 then 15 days. The color was assessed according to CIE (Lab) color system using a VITA Easyshade spectrophotometer. The microhardness was assessed using Digital Display Vickers Microhardness Tester at baseline, after staining, after 8 days, and 15 days brushing. Data were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results: After 8 days brushing, BW showed the highest mean (ΔE) while MS and CR both showed lower mean (ΔE). BW and MS showed the highest mean (ΔE) after 15 days brushing with no statistically significant difference between them. After 15 days; BW showed the highest mean microhardness followed by MS while CR showed the lowest mean microhardness. Conclusion: Both Actilux-activated toothpaste combined with LED device and Marine salts powder were effective in tooth whitening as well as increasing enamel microhardness. The whitening efficacy and microhardness is time dependent.