Effect of Microabrasion on Colour of in Vivo Central Incisors

Objectives: Enamel microabrasion has become accepted as a conservative, nonrestorative method to improve the appearance of teeth with superficial demineralization and decalcification defects. There is no information about in vivo spectrophotometric colour evaluation of natural tooth treated with microabrasion. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of microabrasion on color changing on enamel surfaces in vivo. - Methods: Twenty patients (40 teeth; right and left maxillar central incisors) who had white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment were randomly selected for this study. Microabrasion method contents mixture of %18 hydrochloric acid, gliserine and pumice. The method was applied four times for each teeth for one and half minutes. The spectrophotometric data on the labial surfaces of teeth were recorded with Easyshade (Vita Zahnfabrik) at the center of incisors before and after microabrasion. In vivo spectrophotometric colour evaluation was adopted for all the patients and all measurements were performed in the same clinic room with standardized lighting conditions. Colour on the surfaces of individual teeth measured for L*, a*, b* according to CIELAB colour spaces. The data were analyzed by paired- t test. Means were calculated at the 0.05 level of significance. - Results: Significant differences were seen among L*, a*, b* values before and after microabrasion (p<0.05). L* values were increased after microabrasion processing. a* and b* values was decreased after microabrasion processing. The mean ΔE values were 2.76. ΔE values showed that the color differences were at the acceptable level (ΔE<3.3). - Conclusion: The results of this in vivo study showed that the microabrasion which is an effective treatment approach for the cosmetic improvement of long standing postorthodontic demineralized enamel lesion, constituted clinically acceptable color change on teeth.