Colour Changes and Surface Roughness After Air-Polishing for Tobacco Stain Removal.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

We aimed to investigate the efficacy of air-polishing in restoring the original tooth colour of standardised tobacco-stained tooth specimens.

METHODS

Seventy-two specimens consisting of half dentine and half enamel were daily exposed to the smoke of five cigarettes in an automated smoking chamber. Four repetitions of a 14-day smoking cycle were performed. Specimens were cleaned after each cycle, either by air-polishing with erythritol or sodium bicarbonate powder, or with a rubber cup and pumice stone as control. Spectral photometric colour changes (ΔE) and profilometric surface roughness were measured before and after each cycle. All samples were stored for the entirety of the study period in artificial saliva to mimic oral conditions and to establish a pellicle layer on the samples.

RESULTS

The tested cleaning procedures effectively removed tobacco staining from dentine and enamel samples, however, none of the treatments could restore the original colour. Mean [SD] tooth colour of enamel specimens after four cycles was not statistically significantly different between erythritol (E = 77.6 [6.6]) and sodium bicarbonate air-polishing (E = 79.8 [7.0]) (P > .05). ΔE showed no significant differences between the air-polishing groups after four cycles (P > .05) but with the control group (P < .001). On dentine there was no statistically significant difference of ΔE between all three groups (P > .05). No significant differences in enamel and dentine roughness compared to baseline were observed after repeated air-polishing with erythritol (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Erythritol air-polishing removed smoker's discolourations just as effectively as air-polishing with sodium bicarbonate and polishing with pumice, without altering the roughness of the tooth structures. Tobacco stains do not reoccur faster or stronger after the use of air-polishing devices than after polishing with rubber cup and paste.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Air-polishing with erythritol emerged as a safe and efficient option for removing extrinsic tooth discolourations with the least abrasive character. These findings support the clinical relevance of incorporating air-polishing devices, particularly with erythritol powder, in dental practice for managing tobacco-induced tooth discolourations.