Comparison of 10% carbamide peroxide and sodium perborate for intracoronal bleaching

The purpose of this study was to compare 10% carbamide peroxide to the combination of sodium perborate and water as intracoronal bleaching agents. Forty-four extracted teeth were discolored in vitro. Bleaching agents were placed intracoronally to the level of the cemento-enamel junction for 12 days; solutions were replaced after four and eight days. Standardized slides were used to rank color changes; a colorimeter was used to quantify color change. After 12 days, 65% of the discolored teeth in the 10% carbamide peroxide group and 67% of the discolored teeth in the sodium perborate group had lightened to their original shade or lighter. While there was no statistical difference between the two treatments, sodium perborate was easier to use.