Differences in effectiveness and tooth sensitivity between modern bleaching techniques: clinical experiences

Abstract

Dental whitening is a popular method among patients who want to improve the aesthetics of their smile. It is a relatively inexpensive technique and it has a significant impact on the patient’s confidence. Because of the popularity of this procedure, the scope of modern techniques is to minimize both the duration and the eventual adverse effects, such as postoperative sensitivity. A review was performed in order to compare the effectiveness between in-office conventional bleaching treatment and laser activated bleaching. Another aim of the study was to assess the dental sensitivity following these techniques. Three patients were treated using in-office conventional and diode laser-activated bleaching methods. Even though multiple studies have been concluded that the sensitivity levels are not higher using the conventional method in comparison to modern methods, the postoperative sensibility is related to the concentration and the contact time of the bleaching agent. Therefore, we concluded that laser activated bleaching is not significantly more efficient than the conventional method. However, in comparison to the latter method, the former one minimizes the duration of the procedure and decreases the number of sessions, as well as the dose of bleaching agent. Thus, it causes a lower sensitivity to the patient.