Effect of Glutaraldehyde-Based Desensitizer on Control of Tooth Sensitivity and Tooth Color Post-bleaching: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objectives:  This randomized, controlled, single-blind, split-mouth clinical study evaluated the effect of the application of a glutaraldehyde-based desensitizer on the prevention of tooth sensitivity (TS) and the changes in the color of the teeth after bleaching.

Materials and methods:  Twenty-five patients were selected for participation in the study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients' right and left hemiarches were randomized into two groups: the placebo group, which received distilled water application and whitening treatment, and the Gluma group, which received Gluma application, followed by whitening treatment. The patients were examined after three bleaching sessions with 35% hydrogen peroxide. TS was measured using a numerical rating scale for 21 days from the beginning of bleaching. The tooth color was monitored using a spectrophotometer at times T0 (baseline) and T1 (after 21 days). The color analysis results were recorded using the CieLab system; the CIEDE2000 formula was applied to obtain the ΔE⁰⁰ and ΔL values.

Statistical analysis:  For statistical analysis, the Friedman analysis of variance test was used for intragroup evaluation, and the Wilcoxon test was used for a between-group comparison of the TS results. Student's t-test paired the ΔE⁰⁰ and ΔL values of the groups. A 5% significance level was adopted.

Results:  Intragroup analysis of the sensitivity results showed a statistically significant difference between the pain levels evaluated through days 1 to 21 (p < 0.001), and the highest median values were observed on the days when the whitening sessions were performed (days 1, 8, and 15) and right after the sessions (days 2, 9, and 16). However, in the intergroup analysis, no statistical difference in sensitivity was found between the placebo and Gluma. No statistical difference was found between the influences of the placebo and Gluma treatments on the color obtained after tooth whitening using parameters ᐃE⁰⁰ and ᐃL (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:  The use of Gluma prior to bleaching does not prevent TS and does not interfere with the color results obtained by tooth bleaching.