Effects of different whitening toothpastes on the color and surface properties of resin composites after staining

This in-vitro study aimed to assess the effects of whitening toothpastes on color and translucency changes and surface roughness of resin composites. Disk-shaped resin composite samples from each composite (Clearfil Majesty Esthetic, Palfique Estelite Paste, and Charisma Smart) were made and randomly allocated into five groups (n = 10): Crest Pro Health Whitening, Advance White Pro, Sensodyne Extra Whitening, a control group (distilled water), and a positive control group (exposed to only stain). The samples were exposed to a tea solution and brushed for 30 days. Surface roughness and color measurements were performed immediately and at 15 and 30 days. Data were evaluated using three-way ANOVA (α = 0.05). Significant differences were determined among the groups for ΔL, Δb, and ΔE00 values in each resin composite (p < 0.05). The positive control group presented considerably higher ΔL values than the other groups (p < 0.05). Color changes presented no significant difference among whitening toothpastes. The color change in all groups was above the clinically acceptable level (∆E00 > 1.8) after 30 days, except for the distilled water. Translucency changes remained below the clinically perceptible threshold (ΔRTP00 < 0.62) in most groups. For samples brushed with whitening toothpastes, Δb had the greatest impact on ΔE00, whereas in the distilled water and positive control groups, ΔL was the primary factor influencing ΔE00 changes. The surface roughness of the resin composites increased significantly over time (p < 0.001). Clearfil Majesty Esthetic showed the highest surface roughness above clinically acceptable limits (Ra > 0.2 μm), regardless of the whitening toothpaste used. Roughness values did not show significant differences among the toothpastes for each resin composite. Whitening toothpaste with blue covarine did not create a different color change. All whitening toothpastes tested increased the surface roughness, regardless of the type of resin composites evaluated. The type of resin composite had a minimal impact on color and translucency changes when exposed to brushing with various whitening toothpastes.