Vital tooth bleaching using different techniques

Abstract

Objectives: This clinical trial aimed to evaluate dental color stabilization after different bleaching techniques. Methods: Four dental bleaching techniques were tested in 60 healthy volunteers aged from 25 to 35 years randomly assigned to four groups. Group 1 (G1): conventional in-office bleaching using 35% hydrogen peroxide. Group 2 (G2): in-office application of 3% hydrogen peroxide followed by in-office bleaching using 35% hydrogen peroxide. Group 3 (G3): in-office application of 3% hydrogen peroxide and activation with a light emitting diode (LED) lamp. Group 4 (G4): at-home bleaching using 10% carbamide peroxide. The color of canines and incisors was scored using a digital spectrophotometer to analyze lightness, chroma and hue. Results: All groups resulted in shade change. Lightness increased in all groups with no statistical difference among groups 60 days after finishing the treatment regardless of the technique used (p > 0.05). Differences were found in a short-term evaluation between some groups (p < 0.05). Chroma showed no statistical differences for central incisors after bleaching (p > 0.05). Analyzing canines, G4 showed higher chroma compared to G1 (p < 0.05) and G2 (p < 0.05). For hue, only G2 behaved differently for canines and incisors (p < 0.05). In other groups, hue scores decreased after bleaching. Conclusions: All techniques improved lightness. The addition of 3% hydrogen peroxide to conventional in-office whitening only increased appointment time, but no further benefits were noticed. Clinical relevance: This study is important to help clinicians deciding which is the most suitable dental bleaching for each patient in the current high aesthetic demanding world.