A novel method of tooth whitening using cold plasma microjet driven by direct current in atmospheric-pressure air

We reported in this paper the tooth-whitening effect by a direct-current cold atmospheric-pressure air plasma microjet (PMJ) and saline solution (0.9%). All teeth were randomly divided into three groups, treated for 20 min with an air blow and saline solution, a PMJ and saline solution, and 35% hydrogen peroxide gel, respectively. Compared with the other groups, the teeth treated with the PMJ and saline solution showed the best tooth-whitening effect. The microhardness of the tooth enamel measurement showed no apparent differences among the three groups. A minor enamel surface morphological change was observed via SEM but was considered acceptable. Singlet oxygen ¹O₂ and hydroxyl (H) radicals were detected by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Atomic oxygen (O) was observed in the optical emission spectra of the PMJ. ¹O₂, (H) and O were considered to be the key agents during the tooth-whitening process. This novel method of tooth whitening has the potential to revolutionize the clinical tooth-whitening procedure.