Effects of Bleaching Associated with Er:YAG and Nd:YAG Laser on Enamel Structure and Bacterial Biofilm Formation

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of bleaching associated with Er:YAG and Nd:YAG laser on enamel structure and mixed biofilm formation on teeth surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight enamel samples were randomly divided into four groups (n = 17), control, Opalescence Boost only, Opalescence Boost plus Er: YAG laser, and Opalescence Boost plus Nd:YAG laser. The structure was observed using SEM after bleaching. Subsequently, the treated enamel samples were also cultured in suspensions of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Actinomyces viscosus, and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) for 24 and 48 h. Biofilm formation was quantified by crystal violet staining, and the structure was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis method. RESULTS: The enamel structure significantly changed after bleaching. There was no obvious difference in the biofilm formation after 24 h; however, after 48 hours, the amount of biofilm increased significantly. Remarkably, the amount was significantly higher on enamel bleached only, however, there was no significant difference between samples bleached with Er:YAG or Nd:YAG laser compared to the control. CONCLUSIONS: Bleaching only appeared to markedly promote biofilm formation after 48 h, and the biofilms on samples bleached with Er:YAG or Nd:YAG laser did not change significantly, showing that bleaching with Er:YAG or Nd:YAG laser can be safely applied in clinical practice.