Testing the Effectiveness of Various in Office Hydrogen Peroxide Based Bleaching Agents: A Case Series Using Split Mouth Design

Abstract

A large variety of in-office bleaching agents are available in the market, causing confusion among the clinicians about selecting the most effective bleaching agent. The aim of the present study is to assess whether the composition, concentration and therapeutic protocols recommended by the manufacturers have any influence on the effectiveness of bleaching agents through an evaluation of 8 in-office bleaching agents in a case series using split mouth design. In total, 4 patients of the same age (22 years) and teeth colour (A2) were selected as study participants and eight bleaching agents were randomised among them between March and July 2019. Overall, 3 bleaching sessions were performed and the colour obtained was recorded using a digital spectrophotometer (Vita Easy Shade). The colour variation (ΔE) and lightness variation (ΔL) were calculated based on the CIELab system parameters, which is an objective assessment and assigns numerical values for colour variations. Colour measurements were made before and after tooth bleaching sessions. ΔE and ΔL were calculated from the difference between the last assessment and the baseline. Colour measurements were performed on the central portions of the upper central incisors (11 and 21). No colour differences were observed between the hemi-arches of the same patient treated with different bleaching agents. The different bleaching gels did not influence the bleaching result. Thus we conclude that the bleaching effect seemed to be related to the active component (hydrogen peroxide) and was not influenced by the other components of the bleaching gels.

Keywords

• aesthetics
• colour
• dental
• tooth bleaching