To compare subjective occurrence of tooth sensitivity associated with tooth bleaching among subjects who brush with Sensodyne as a pre-treatment to tooth bleaching and during bleaching against those who brushed with a standard fluoride toothpaste.
Methods:
180 subjects completed this randomized, controlled, multi-centre, parallel group study involving 14 private dental practice sites. Subjects brushed with either Sensodyne® or Crest® toothpaste for two weeks prior to, and during, a 2 week bleaching regime using a professionally dispensed bleaching product. Subjects completed Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and patient satisfaction questionnaires during the course of the study. Vita Shade was assessed prior to and after bleaching.
Results:
The reduction in tooth sensitivity, as measured by VAS, during the two week bleaching period although directionally in favour of Sensodyne, was not statistically significant (p=0.2883). Patient Satisfaction Survey asked subjects if they had experienced tooth sensitivity. For the Sensodyne and Crest groups respectively, 49.5% and 66.3% indicated they experienced sensitivityn (the difference between groups was significant, p = 0.019). The second question asked how satisfied the subject was, considering the level of sensitivity he/she had experienced. There was a statistically significant difference between groups with subjects in the Sensodyne group expressing greater satisfaction (p = 0.013) in the bleaching procedure in terms of sensitivity. Brushing with Sensodyne before and during bleaching did not adversely affect bleaching efficacy (vita shade assessment) when compared to Crest (p= 0.6527).
Conclusion:
Use of Sensodyne prior to, and during bleaching significantly increased subject satisfaction of the bleaching treatment in terms of levels of perceived sensitivity when compared to Crest.