Clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of two in-office bleaching techniques using a hydrogen peroxide based product

Abstract

Purpose: To clinically evaluate the capacity of a halogen curing-light to act as a catalyst of a 37.5% hydrogen peroxide based product used to lightening teeth. Materials and Methods: Thirteen human subjects had their upperarches (premolar to premolar) bleached and evaluated. Split-arch design using centrals, laterals, canines and premolars on one side treated with bleach (Whiteness HP Maxx, FGM, Joinvile, SC/Brazil)plus light, was compared with contralateral teeth using bleach alone. Pre and pos-operatory pictures were taken under the same light conditions. Then the pictures were analyzed with commercial software to compare the degree of lightening obtained on the right and left cervical area of the upper central incisors. Data were analyzed using paired Student-T test (p≤0.05). Results: Pairs of means for brightness and RGB blue channel showed no statistically significance differences at baseline and immediately after the third session of bleaching, despite of the use of the halogen light for gel activation. Clinical significance: The halogen curing-light does not improve the final result of the in-office bleaching technique using a 37.5% hydrogen peroxide gel.