Bleaching induced tooth sensitivity: do the existing enamel craze lines increase sensitivity? A clinical study

Area of Science:

• Dental materials science
• Clinical dentistry
• Oral health research

Background:

• Tooth sensitivity (TS) is a common concern following in-office dental bleaching procedures.
• The presence of pre-existing enamel defects, such as craze lines, may influence the occurrence or severity of TS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential association between enamel craze lines and the prevalence of tooth sensitivity after professional dental bleaching.
• To quantify the incidence and duration of tooth sensitivity following 15% hydrogen peroxide bleaching.

Main Methods:

• A clinical study involving 23 subjects undergoing in-office bleaching with 15% hydrogen peroxide.
• Screening for enamel craze lines on 460 teeth, followed by self-administered questionnaires to assess TS post-bleaching.

Main Results:

• 49% of teeth exhibited enamel craze lines.
• 91% of subjects reported TS on the first day, decreasing to 9% by the fourth day, with no reported TS thereafter.
• A weak positive correlation (r = 0.214) was observed between craze lines and TS; 15% of teeth with craze lines and 11% without showed TS.

Conclusions:

• Tooth sensitivity is a frequent side effect of 15% hydrogen peroxide in-office bleaching, often resolving within a week.
• While a weak association exists, enamel craze lines do not appear to be a primary predictor of tooth sensitivity post-bleaching.