Effect of Quercetin-Doped Hydrogen Peroxide Gels on Enamel Properties: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

This in vitro study evaluated the effects of incorporating quercetin (QC) at varying concentrations (0.25%, 0.5%, and 1%) into a 35% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) bleaching gel on esthetic outcomes, enamel hardness and roughness, and H₂O₂ transamelodentinal diffusion. Bovine enamel/dentin discs <i>(n</i> = 180; 12/per group for each analysis) were allocated into five groups: (1) negative control (NC), (2) 35% H₂O₂ (HP), (3) HP + 0.25% QC, (4) HP + 0.5% QC, and (5) HP + 1% QC. Treatments were applied for 40 min per session across three sessions with 7-day intervals. Color changes were evaluated using the CIELab* color system (ΔE_ab), with further analysis performed using the CIEDE2000 formula (ΔE₀₀) and the whitening index (ΔWI_D). Enamel surface hardness, roughness, cross-sectional hardness, and H₂O₂ diffusion were also evaluated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test, with statistical significance set at <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05. All experimental gels resulted in significant color changes (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), with similar ΔE_ab, ΔE₀₀, and ΔWI_D across QC groups. The HP group showed greater reductions in hardness and increased roughness compared to others (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001), while the HP/1%QC group resulted in no statistically significant alterations under the tested conditions. H₂O₂ diffusion was significantly greater in the HP group, while it was notably lower in the HP/1%QC group (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). The incorporation of 1% quercetin into a 35% H₂O₂ gel maintains its bleaching efficacy while protecting enamel properties and reducing hydrogen peroxide diffusion. Quercetin-enriched H₂O₂ gels may enhance bleaching safety by protecting dental tissues while maintaining esthetic benefits.