Effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser and ascorbic acid on the bond strength and microleakage of bleached enamel surface

Background: The available evidence of Er,Cr:YSGG lasers on bleached enamel is limited and controversial. It is assumed that Er,Cr:YSGG laser will be effective in reversing the effect of bleaching on adhesive bond integrity of enamel to resin composite. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Er,Cr:YSGG laser on bond strength and microleakage of bleached enamel. Materials and methods: From the 80 samples, 60 samples were bleached (40% hydrogen peroxide) and divided into three subgroups. Twenty bleached samples in each subgroup were exposed to 10% sodium ascorbate (Gp A), Er,Cr:YSGG laser (50 Hz and 4.5 W) (Gp L), and no treatment (Gp B), respectively. Twenty samples were not bleached (Control-C). Using etch and rinse technique, resin composite was built-up on enamel and photopolymerized. Ten specimens in each group were tested for shear bond strength at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Ten specimens in each group were tested for microleakage using 2% methylene blue. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post hoc multiple comparisons test. Results: The mean bond strength of specimens in group L (30.83 ± 1.7000) was comparable with group A (31.38 ± 2.03) and was significantly higher than bleached specimens (9.49 ± 0.86) (p < 0.001). The highest mean microleakage values were observed in bleached group (630.32 ± 156.58). The mean microleakage among control (36.66 ± 27.33) and laser group specimens (55.32 ± 34.98) was comparable (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Treatment of bleached enamel with erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser showed a significant reversal effect on the enamel bond strength and microleakage scores. Clinical Significance: Er,Cr:YSGG laser (50 Hz, 4.5 W) treatment has the potential to restore the bond strength of bleached enamel to resin composite.