RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the volume and depth of enamel loss promoted by 37.5% and 7.5% hydrogen peroxide (HP) gels, and quantify the loss of calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) ions by using ion chromatography (IC) analysis after bleaching. METHODS: Sixty bovine enamel specimens were randomly divided into three groups: Control - no bleaching gel; HP37.5%, application of HP 37.5% for 45 minutes for 14 days; and HP7.5%, application of HP 7.5% for 3 applications of 8 minutes. The surface analysis (n=5) was performed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and dispersive energy system (EDS) to calcium and phosphorus dosage. The micro-CT was used for the enamel loss analysis (n=5). IC was used to analyze extracted Ca and P (n=10). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and two-way repeated measures ANOVA, followed by Tukey and Dunnett's tests (α=0.05). RESULTS: Significantly higher volume and depth of enamel loss were found for bleached groups compared with the control group. HP7.5% had significantly higher enamel change than HP37.5%. SEM showed higher enamel porosity for HP37.5% and HP7.5% compared to control. The IC demonstrated a significant increase of Ca incorporated into the gel, however, only HP7.5% had a higher P presence than the control group. The HP7.5% showed higher Ca and P ion exchange than HP37.5% (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: HP37.5% and HP7.5%, caused enamel mineral changes compared with the control group. The IC method was demonstrated to be an effective methodology for detecting enamel mineral loss by the bleaching gel.