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Long-term use of 6.5% hydrogen peroxide bleaching strips on tetracycline stain: a clinical study
Gerard Kugel1, Robert W Gerlach, Ayman Aboushala
1Department of Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Unlabelled:
This study evaluated the clinical response following extended daily use of a trayless 6.5% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) tooth bleaching gel in patients with tetracycline stains.
Materials And Methods:
In this clinical trial, participants (N = 30) were assigned to a strip product following screening for tetracycline staining. Subjects used the product for 6 months, with clinical safety and efficacy measurements assessed at the end of each month. The strips were used for 30 minutes twice daily (maxillary arch only). Treatment efficacy was determined by the tooth color change from baseline using an expanded VITA shade guide. Additional shades were added on either side, representing colors whiter than B1 and darker than C4.
Results:
The strips averaged shade reduction in Months 1, 2, and 3 visits, respectively. Of all the subjects, 65% reached B1 color by Month 6. Treatment was generally well tolerated. Mild and transient tooth sensitivity (46.7%) and oral discomfort (43.3%) were the most common adverse events associated with daily bleaching, yet neither affected study participation.
Conclusions:
The 6.5% H2O2 bleaching strip provided significant tooth whitening in subjects with tetracycline stains.
Clinical Significance:
When used daily for 6 months, a 6.5% H2O2 bleaching strip can be effective in whitening tetracycline stains. The professional strip was well tolerated throughout the 6-month period. This extended use provides additional evidence of clinical safety associated with the use of this product for vital bleaching.
