Effect of cinnamon extract solution on tooth enamel color

• Published in: Journal of physics. Conference series 2018-08, Vol.1073 (3), p.32025
• Main Authors: Anggono, J, Damiyanti, M, Eriwati, Y K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibacterial materials; Cinnamaldehyde; Color; Dental enamel; Discoloration; Mouthwashes; Physics; Tannins; Teeth
• ISSN: 1742-6588; 1742-6596
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/1073/3/032025

Cinnamon extract solutions can be used as alternatives to standard mouthwash. Indeed, various compounds present in cinnamon, including cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and tannin, may have antibacterial effects. However, tannin can cause extrinsic tooth discoloration. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the effect of cinnamon extract solutions on tooth enamel color. To this end, 12 premolar teeth were immersed in a 4% or 12% cinnamon extract solution (each n = 6) for 60 min, 120 min, and 180 min. Then, the enamel color was evaluated using Vita Easy Shade, and the results were tested with repeated ANOVA and Friedman tests, with post-hoc Wilcoxon tests, to compare enamel color changes between the exposure time groups. Unpaired t-tests and Mann Whitney tests were, then, used to compare enamel color changes between the concentration groups. Greater changes were observed with longer times of immersion and greater cinnamon extract concentration. Regardless, all the samples demonstrated clinically unacceptable color changes (ΔE > 3.5). In addition, the assessment of exposure time groups showed significant changes (p < 0.05), while no significant changes were observed between the concentration groups (p > 0.05). In summary, while the antibacterial compounds found in cinnamon may have benefits for oral health, our findings indicate that cinnamon extract solutions cause clinically unacceptable color changes to tooth enamel.