| Abstract: | Oxygen is a polymerization inhibitor of 2,2‐bis4‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methacryloxypropoxy) phenyl]propane (Bis‐GMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, a basic constituent of most dental adhesive materials. Some hypothesis that oxygen remains in tooth mineralized tissues following some dental treatments and thus reducing adhesive forces and compromising the restorative treatments, have been advanced, but no experimental demonstration has been conducted. We used for the first time a confocal micro Raman technique to successfully identify the presence of oxygen generated by tooth bleaching products in tooth enamel surface, hence, helping to provide confirmation for this theory. This new data result from a multidisciplinary research approach between physics and dentistry is pioneering and could in the future support dental treatment protocol changes, increasing productivity and patient's benefits. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
