Influence of treatment duration on the efficacy of at-home bleaching with daytime application: a randomized clinical trial

• Published in: Clinical oral investigations 2019-08, Vol.23 (8), p.3229-3237
• Main Authors: L Darriba, Iria, Cabirta Melón, Paloma, García Sartal, Ana, Ríos Sousa, Ignacio, Alonso de la Peña, Víctor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bleaching; Canine teeth; Clinical trials; Color; Daytime; Dentin Sensitivity; Dentistry; Duration of Therapy; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Irritation; Medicine; Original Article; Peroxide; Peroxides; Side effects; Tooth Bleaching; Tooth Bleaching Agents; Treatment Outcome; Urea
• ISSN: 1432-6981; 1436-3771
• DOI: 10.1007/s00784-018-2744-z

Objective The aim of this study is to determine whether prolonging the daytime at-home bleaching treatment by 1 week increases the bleaching effect without causing more side effects. Materials and methods Fifty participants were randomly divided into two groups, (A) with a 14-day treatment and (B) with a 21-day treatment. A gel with 10% carbamide peroxide was applied for 2 h a day in custom trays. Color measurement was performed using a dental spectrophotometer on the right maxillary central incisor and the canine at baseline, at the end of treatment, and 1 and 6 months afterwards. Daily, participants recorded their tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation. Results At the end of the treatment, the Δ E 00 of group B (5.77 ± 2.15) was significantly higher than the Δ E 00 of group A (4.74 ± 1.94) ( p  = 0.005 (95% CI: − 2.13 to − 0.39)). After 6 months, tooth color was more stable in group B. The ΔSGU values between the different appointment times were higher in the 3-week group. Participants from group B reported more side effects, but statistically, there were no differences compared with group A ( p  = 0.225 for tooth sensitivity and p  = 0.758 for gingival irritation). Conclusions Daytime application of at-home bleaching for 3 weeks achieves greater bleaching results than for 2 weeks, immediately after treatment and 1 and 6 months afterwards. However, slightly more side effects could occur. Clinical relevance When daytime application of at-home bleaching is required, the treatment duration should be prolonged from 2 to 3 weeks to achieve greater and more stable results.