Comparison of Surface Hardness of Two Resin Composites after Exposure to Three Different Staining Agents and Four Different Bleaching Agents - an in Vitro Study

Abstract: To compare the surface hardness of two resin composites Esthet_X and filtek supreme after exposure to three different staining agents coffee, tea and red wine and two different dentist prescribed at home bleaching agents colgate platinum & opalescence and one over the counter bleaching agent (Colgate Platinum).

Methodology: 60 specimens, 9mm×2mm each of Filtek Supreme and Esthet-X were prepared. The 60 specimens were divided into 4 groups:

Group 1: coffee group

Group 2: tea group

Group 3: red wine group

Group 4: control group (distilled water)

Results: The results showed that in case of Filtek Supreme a statistically significant difference in surface hardness was noted when subjected to coffee and tea and the tea group when subjected to OTC bleaching agent. In case of Esthet-X, significant difference in surface hardness was observed when subjected to tea and the same tea group when treated with Opalescence 20%.