Comparative clinical efficacy of two professional bleaching systems

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Dental Materials Science

Background:

• Vital tooth bleaching is a common cosmetic dental procedure.
• Professionally dispensed systems offer controlled whitening treatments.
• Comparing the efficacy of different bleaching modalities is crucial for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the whitening efficacy of Crest Professional Whitestrips versus Nite White Excel 2 tray system.
• To objectively measure tooth color changes using digital imaging.
• To assess the safety and tolerability of both bleaching systems.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, parallel, examiner-blind clinical trial with 20 subjects.
• Subjects were randomized to either the strip system (14 total contact hours) or tray system (28 total contact hours).
• Objective whitening was measured by comparing digital images of maxillary anterior teeth pre- and post-treatment.

Main Results:

• Both systems significantly reduced yellowness (delta b*) and increased brightness (delta L*) compared to baseline (P < 0.05).
• The strip system group showed significantly greater whitening improvements (62%–209%) in delta b*, delta L*, and delta E* compared to the tray system group (P < 0.03).
• Both systems were well tolerated, with no early discontinuations due to adverse events.

Conclusions:

• Crest Professional Whitestrips demonstrated superior whitening efficacy compared to the Nite White Excel 2 tray system under the tested conditions.
• A shorter contact time with the strip system yielded better results than a longer contact time with the tray system.
• Professionally dispensed vital bleaching systems can effectively and safely improve tooth color.