Abstract

Purpose:  To evaluate the clinical response of a low peroxide concentration bleaching system with a desensitizing agent relative to a marketed control.  Materials and Methods:  After balancing for baseline color and age, 34 healthy adult volunteers were randomized to one of two marketed bleaching systems, 5% carbamide peroxide bleaching gel + potassium nitrate in a custom tray (Colgate Platinum Gentle Plus) or 6.0% hydrogen peroxide bleaching strips (Crest Whitestrips).  Daily contact time was 6-8 hours for the tray system compared to 1 hour for the strip system, following manufacturers’ instructions.  Whitening was measured objectively using digital image analysis to assess L*a*b* after 7 days, while tolerability was assessed through interview and examination. Results:  The predominantly female (85%) and non-smoking (91%) study population ranged from 20-47 years of age.  Both treatments yielded a statistically significant (P< 0.001) whitening benefit with respect to reduction in yellowness (b*) and improvements in other color endpoints (L*, E*, and a new parameter, W*) compared to baseline.  The strip group experienced greater color improvement on average for all color parameters in the study.  After 7 days treatment, the adjusted mean b* was –1.24 in the strip group and –0.65 in the tray group, with these groups differing significantly (P= 0.04).  Tooth sensitivity was reported by 13% of subjects using the hydrogen peroxide strips, compared to 22% of subjects using the carbamide peroxide potassium nitrate tray system.  No subjects discontinued treatment early due to an adverse event.  (Am J Dent 2002; 15:19A-23A).