1958 Zero Sensitivity Tooth Whitening
R.M. POHJOLA, W.D. BROWNING, S.T. HACKMAN, M.L. MYERS, and M.C. DOWNEY, Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry, Augusta, USA
Many bleaching products have claimed to produce whitening of the teeth with reports of little or no sensitivity.
Objective: Three commercially available dentist-prescribed home-applied bleaching systems were evaluated to identify the incidence of sensitivity and to compare the efficacy of whitening the maxillary anterior teeth of 18 patients. Methods: NiteWhite Excel 2Z (Discus Dental), fx (Challenge Products) and Rembrandt Xtra-Comfort (DenMat Corp) were randomly assigned to six patients each. The fx product was used as a control since it was not advertised as a zero sensitivity product. The manufacturer's instructions for tray fabrication and use were followed while the patients bleached for two weeks. The patients kept a diary and were recalled at 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. The shade change and the presence or absence of any sensitivity were evaluated at each recall.
Results: NiteWhite Excel 2Z was used for 83 total days of treatment with the following percentage of positive sensitivity reported: 0% hot and cold, 2.4% throat sensitivity, 2.4% tongue sensitivity and 25.3% gingival sensitivity. Rembrandt Xtra-Comfort was used for 84 total days and reported 0% hot and cold, 0% throat, 11.9% tongue and 27.4% gingival sensitivity. The fx product was used for 83 total days and resulted in 14.5% hot and cold, 7.14% throat, 1.2% tongue and 16.9% gingival sensitivity. All products lightened the teeth an average of 8 shade tabs on the Vita guide. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups when comparing the presence of sensitivity (Chi square: p<0.001), but not when comparing the shade tab change.
Conclusion: Of the products tested, all produced similar change in shade tab value, none were sensitivity free, but NiteWhite Excel 2Z and Rembrandt Xtra-Comfort did not produce thermal sensitivity. Seq #185 - Clinical Evaluations of Tooth Bleaching and Sensitivity 11:00 AM-12:15 PM, Friday, 8 March 2002 San Diego Convention Center Exhibit Hall C