Tooth Sensitivity With Desensibilizing-containing at-home Bleaching Gel-RCT

Objectives: This randomized clinical trial (RCT) evaluated the risk and intensity of tooth sensitivity (TS) and color change after at-home bleaching with a desensitizing-containing (3% potassium nitrate and 0.2% sodium fluoride) and desensitizing-free 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) gel (Whiteness Perfect, FGM).
Methods: A triple-blind, randomized, split-mouth RCT was conducted on 60 caries-free adult patients. The right and left sides of the upper maxillary arch of the patients were randomized to receive the desensitizing-containing and the desensitizing-free bleaching gels, which were instructed to be applied in the bleaching tray for 3 hours daily during 21 days. The absolute risk and intensity of TS were assessed daily through a 0-10 visual analog scale (VAS) and a numeric rating scale (NRS) scale for 21 days. Color change was recorded using shade guides (Vita Classical and Vita Bleachedguide) and the Easyshade spectrophotometer at baseline, and after each week and after 30 days of whitening treatment completion. The risk and intensity of TS were evaluated by the McNemar and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests, respectively. Color change (ΔSGU and ΔE) were evaluated by Mann-Whitney test and paired t-test, respectively (α = 0.05).
Results: In regard to the risk of pain, no significant difference in the TS (OR = 1.4; 95% CI 0.4 to 5.6; p = 0.77) was observed. Similarly, no significant difference was observed in the intensity of TS (p = 0.33), which did not exceed 0.2 ± 2.4 VAS units in none of the time assessments. Significant and similar (p > 0.05) whitening was observed in both groups
Conclusions: The incorporation of potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride in 10% CP at-home bleaching gel did not reduce the risk and intensity of TS.