Polishing vs Hydrogen Peroxide: effect on DIAGNOdent Readings in Stained Fissures

In this randomized, single‐blind, split‐mouth clinical study, 126 posterior teeth from 24adult participants with clinically visible occlusal fissure staining were evaluated. Foreach participant, opposing jaws were randomly assigned to receive either mechanicalpolishing with a fluoride‐free prophylaxis paste (30 seconds) or a 35% hydrogen peroxidegel (15 minutes). DIAGNOdent Pen laser fluorescence measurements were recorded at threetime points: baseline, after air‐water spray cleaning and drying, and after the assignedsurface procedure. Digital bite‐wing radiographs were obtained as a non‐invasive clinicalreference. Within‐group comparisons were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test,and between‐protocol comparisons were analyzed using a linear mixed‐effects model withpatient as a random effect and surface procedure as a fixed effect.