Randomized controlled trial of professional at-home tooth whitening in teenagers

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare two professional at-home tooth whitening systems in a teenage population. Informed consent and child assent were obtained from 60 teenagers aged 12-17 (mean age = 14.8). After baseline measurements, subjects were randomized to one of two groups, using either 14% hydrogen peroxide whitening strips or 10% carbamide peroxide in a custom bleaching tray. Strips were used for 30 minutes twice daily, while the tray was worn overnight. Treatment took place for 14 days sequentially, first on the maxillary arch and then on the mandibular arch; all use was unsupervised. Efficacy was measured objectively by L*a*b* color change from digital images obtained at baseline and end of treatment, using combined color measures for both arches. Both professional whitening systems had significant (p < 0.0001) reductions in yellowness (Deltab*) and increased lightness (DeltaL*) after two weeks of treatment on each arch. At the end of treatment, Deltab* or DeltaL* did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.28). Tooth sensitivity and mild oral irritation represented the most common adverse events, with only one subject discontinuing treatment as a result. Teenagers who used either bleaching method for two weeks experienced significant tooth whitening without serious adverse events.