Surface hardness and color change of dental enamel exposed to cigarette smoke

Abstract

Background: Tooth susceptibility to discoloration can be attributed to defects in enamel and dentin due to pigments penetration into the cracks and tubules present in the dental substrates Aims & Objectives: This in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate the microhardness and the color change of dental enamel exposed to cigarette smoke. Materials & Methods: Fifteen bovine enamel fragments (25mm2) were submitted to exposure to the equivalent of cigarette smoke from 50 cigarettes over a period of five days. Initial and final readings of microhardness and colorimetric evaluation were performed. The results were analyzed statistically with the one-way ANOVA and Tukey test (p≤0.05). Results: The samples presented a significant color change and a decrease in the values of microhardness. Conclusion: In conclusion, the exposure to cigarette smoke can significantly alter the microhardness of enamel and its coloring.