Whitening techniques using the diode laser and halogen lamp in human devitalized primary teeth

Abstract

The aim of this study was to make an in vivo assessment of 2 whitening techniques in deciduous teeth, with the variable being the source of energy activation. Ten upper central incisors darkened by trauma were selected and whitening agent used was a 35% hydrogen peroxide. The teeth were distributed into 2 groups: group 1—activation with an infrared diode laser (GaAlAs), and group 2—activation with a halogen lamp. Assessment of whitening was done by color analysis with the Vita 3D scale at 3 different times: before whitening, immediately after whitening, and 1 week after whitening. A Kruskal-Wallace test showed that there were no significant difference between the 2 groups when comparing group 1 and 2 and comparing 2 and 3 immediately and after 1 week of treatment. Laser activation of the whitening agent was not more effective than halogen light activation for root canal-treated deciduous teeth.