IADR Abstract Archives
Effect of Activated Charcoal on the Color of Composite Resin
Objectives: The promotion of activated charcoal (AC) as a whitening dentifrice continues to intrigue viewers on social media with little to no scientific evidence of its efficacy in the literature. Those whitening their teeth with AC may also have restorations in the esthetic zone. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of activated charcoal powder on the color of composite resin.
Methods: Composite resin samples were fabricated in a plastic mold with a cut out center (1.0 cm in diameter). The prepared samples were randomly assigned into 2 groups (n=5/group) and stored in distilled water except when being treated or tested. The activated charcoal group was treated with activated charcoal (Aotto Teeth Whitening Activated Coconut Charcoal Powder, China) with an electric toothbrush according to manufacturer’s instructions for 14 days. A control group received the same brushing regimen but without the activated charcoal. All samples were tested for L*a*b* color coordinates using a spectrophotometer on Day 0, 7 and 14. The color differences were compared with a t-test.
Results: The mean(standard deviation) for L*a*b* values are listed in the table.
L*@Day0
a*@Day0
b*@Day0
L*@Day14
a*@Day14
b*@Day14
DE w/time
Composite without AC
66.6(0.3)
-1.7(0.1)
6.0(0.5)
68.1(0.8)
-1.5(0.1)
5.1(0.5)
1.8(0.7)
Composite with AC
67.2(0.4)
-1.5(0.2)
6.4(0.4)
59.9(1.6)
-0.8(0.2)
6.0(0.6)
7.3(2.0)
The DE between composite groups at Day 0 was 0.69, whereas at Day 14 it was 8.23 (clinically unacceptable).The composite treated with AC exhibited a significantly (p<0.001) greater change in color over time compared to the non-AC treated composite. The greatest change in L*a*b* coordinates was in L*, indicating a darkening of the composite.
Conclusions: Whitening teeth with activated charcoal may have the unintended consequence of dark staining composite resin restorations.
Methods: Composite resin samples were fabricated in a plastic mold with a cut out center (1.0 cm in diameter). The prepared samples were randomly assigned into 2 groups (n=5/group) and stored in distilled water except when being treated or tested. The activated charcoal group was treated with activated charcoal (Aotto Teeth Whitening Activated Coconut Charcoal Powder, China) with an electric toothbrush according to manufacturer’s instructions for 14 days. A control group received the same brushing regimen but without the activated charcoal. All samples were tested for L*a*b* color coordinates using a spectrophotometer on Day 0, 7 and 14. The color differences were compared with a t-test.
Results: The mean(standard deviation) for L*a*b* values are listed in the table.
L*@Day0
a*@Day0
b*@Day0
L*@Day14
a*@Day14
b*@Day14
DE w/time
Composite without AC
66.6(0.3)
-1.7(0.1)
6.0(0.5)
68.1(0.8)
-1.5(0.1)
5.1(0.5)
1.8(0.7)
Composite with AC
67.2(0.4)
-1.5(0.2)
6.4(0.4)
59.9(1.6)
-0.8(0.2)
6.0(0.6)
7.3(2.0)
The DE between composite groups at Day 0 was 0.69, whereas at Day 14 it was 8.23 (clinically unacceptable).The composite treated with AC exhibited a significantly (p<0.001) greater change in color over time compared to the non-AC treated composite. The greatest change in L*a*b* coordinates was in L*, indicating a darkening of the composite.
Conclusions: Whitening teeth with activated charcoal may have the unintended consequence of dark staining composite resin restorations.