الفهرس 
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Abstract
Aim: This study aimed at evaluating the bleaching potential of curcumin and strawberries used as
home remedies as compared to the conventional home bleaching agent carbamide peroxide gel. The
study assessed the resultant effects on morphology, surface roughness, micro-hardness, color change
and mineral content of human enamel.
Methodology: Twenty seven extracted sound human third molars stained by Nescafé solution were
randomly divided into three equal groups (n=9); Opalescence® (20% carbamide peroxide), do-it
yourself (DIY) strawberry paste and curcumin groups. Samples were assessed by spectrophotometer,
Vickers micro-hardness tester, 3D optical non-contact image analysis, scanning electron microscope
(SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). Measurements were recorded at baseline, after
Nescafé immersion and after treatment application. Comparisons between 3 groups were done using
the ANOVA for normally distributed variables and Kruskal Wallis test for non-normally distributed
variables.
Results: After treatment application, there was a significant difference among the three groups in
color changes; Opalescence® group recorded the highest mean value (17.44±2.35), followed by DIY
group (13.50
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±4.66) and then the curcumin group (12.63±4.26). There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in
enamel micro-hardness as compared to the baseline within each group; Opalescence® group was the
most affected (P=0.029), followed by DIY (P=0.017) and then the curcumin (P=0.033) group. The
surface roughness increased within each group (P= 0.0001); Opalescence® group recorded the highest
mean value (0.5519 ±0.0275), followed by DIY (0.5243 ±0.0278) and curcumin (0.4621 ±0.0124)
groups. Surface topographic alterations by SEM among the 3 groups were more evident in the
Opalescence® group.
Conclusion: Both strawberry and curcumin were shown to have a bleaching effect. The bleaching
effect of strawberry was stronger than curcumin though weaker than the conventional carbamide
peroxide.