Methods: After institutional review and informed consent, 49 adults with no history of previous bleaching and a Vita shade of A2 or darker on maxillary anterior teeth were randomized (2:1) to at-home strips or in-office whitening treatments. The experimental group was daily 2-hour application of 10% hydrogen peroxide high-adhesion whitening strips (Crest® 3D White 2-Hour Express Whitestrips®) for at-home use over 10 days. The positive control was professional light-assisted application of a 25% hydrogen peroxide gel (Zoom!® Advanced Power Chairside Whitening System) after soft tissue isolation following manufacturer's recommendations. Efficacy was measured objectively as L*a*b* color change using digital images at Baseline and Day 11, and safety was assessed by intraoral examination and subject report.
Results: Mean (SD) age was 36.6 (11.8), 57% of subjects were female, and treatments were balanced (p>0.54) on starting tooth color. At Day 11, both groups exhibited significant (p < 0.001) color improvement from baseline. After adjusting for baseline and age, Day 11 Δb* means (SE) were –2.1 (0.14) for the strip group and –1.8 (0.20) for the in-office group. Groups did not differ (p > 0.22) on post-treatment Δb* or ΔL* whitening at Day 11. Tooth sensitivity and oral irritation were the most common adverse events, with the latter more common (38% of subjects) in the professional control.
Conclusion: Daily use of take home whitening strips resulted in similar tooth whitening as a professional light-assisted whitening treatment.