A clinical evaluation of a bleaching agent used with and without reservoirs

This in vivo study evaluated the variation of tray fabrication (trays constructed with or without reservoirs) on the degree of color change of teeth and sensitivities associated with using a 15% carbamide peroxide bleaching agent for two hours once daily for 14 days. Patients returned in one, two, three, six and 12 weeks. Color changes were evaluated by subjective shade matching, comparing clinical photographs and through measurements obtained using a color-measuring device. Subjects were asked to keep a daily record of any tooth and gingival sensitivity on the right and left side of their maxillary dental arch for three weeks. Colorimeter data showed that teeth lightened with agent with reservoirs were significantly lighter than teeth lightened with the same agent without reservoirs. However, the amount of lightening was below the threshold of visual differentiation. Shade guide and slide photography data showed no significant differences between teeth lightened with agent with reservoirs compared to teeth lightened with the same agent without reservoirs. In addition, no significant differences in tooth and gingival sensitivity were found between the tray side with reservoirs and those without reservoirs.