VAS vs EPT: Evaluating Sensitivity Caused by In-Office Bleaching Procedures

Objectives: To evaluate and compare different methods of measuring sensitivity caused by in-office bleaching procedures.
Methods: A convenience sample of 34 patients from the dental clinics of Nova Southeastern University participated in the study upon IRB approval, signing Consent Forms and complying the inclusion/exclusion criteria. All procedures were provided by the same operator according to the manufacturer’s instructions using Opalescence^® Boost^® PF 40% (Ultradent, South Jordan, Utah). No additional treatments were provided for desensitization. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess the level of sensitivity during the procedure, at 1-hour, 24-hours, 48-hours, 1-week and 2-weeks intervals. An Electric pulp test (EPT) was also used before and after the bleaching and at 2-weeks follow-up. Both of these tests were compared to evaluate if there is a correlation, and which method was more accurate in providing a better understanding of the patients’ experience. Pairwise correlations using a Bonferroni adjustment were used to examine the association between VAS and EPT values. A mixed, general linear model with Tukey-adjusted pairwise comparisons were used to compare changes in VAS and EPT values over time. Statistical significance was found at p<0.05.
Results: Statistically, no significant correlation was found between VAS and EPT when compared during the procedure and 2-weeks follow up (p=0.824, and p= 0.160). Also, EPT did not show any difference in sensitivity during each time period (p=0.168, and p= 0.121). VAS results are displayed in Table. Differences were at p=0.0001.
Conclusions: VAS showed greater value in assessing patients’ sensitivity level throughout the procedure, even though VAS is a subjective tool. On the other hand, EPT showed no correlation to patients’ experience nor VAS outcome.