Strengthening effect of flavonoid antioxidant on resin–enamel bond strength following tooth bleaching

This study aimed to assess the impact of flavonoid-based antioxidant application after in-office bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide on the shear bond strength of resin to bovine enamel, comparing it with 10% sodium ascorbate. Bovine enamel blocks (n = 10) were randomly assigned to one of five pretreatments: (i) no bleaching, (ii) bleaching without antioxidant application, and (iii) bleaching followed by a 1-min application of 10% sodium ascorbate, (iv) 5% naringin, or (v) 10% naringin. Color analysis was conducted using a digital spectrophotometer. Shear bond strength was assessed on two, 2-mm-diameter resin cylinders per block using a universal testing machine at 0.5 mm/min until fracture. Enamel surface morphology was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. Shear bond strength values and color parameters (ΔE_ab, ΔE₀₀, and ΔWI_D) were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, while t-tests were used for the individual color parameters lightness (L*), green-red (a*), blue-yellow (b*), and chroma (C*) . None of the antioxidants resulted in bond strength values as high as those observed without bleaching. However, application of sodium ascorbate and 5% naringin after bleaching significantly increased bond strength compared with bleached enamel without antioxidant. Antioxidants had no significant impact on color. The predominant failure modes were adhesive between the adhesive and enamel, and mixed.