Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026
05:30
Roughness Impact of Piezoelectric Dental Scaler on Two Distinct Flowable Composite Filling Materials
Published on: January 10, 2025
1.2K
In-office bleaching effects on the pulp flow and tooth sensitivity - case series
Andrés Felipe Cartagena1, Sibelli Olivieri Parreiras1, Alessandro Dourado Loguercio2
1Posgraduate Program in Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil.
Brazilian Oral Research
|January 29, 2015
Summary
Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) can measure pulp blood flow (PBF) changes during in-office bleaching. This study found a temporary PBF reduction after bleaching, which quickly returned to normal levels.
Area of Science:
- Dental materials science
- Biomedical engineering
- Oral physiology
Background:
- In-office bleaching is a common cosmetic dental procedure.
- Assessing pulp vitality and blood flow changes post-bleaching is crucial.
- Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is a noninvasive tool for measuring pulp blood flow (PBF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in pulp blood flow (PBF) using Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) after in-office dental bleaching.
- To assess the correlation between tooth sensitivity and PBF changes.
- To determine the reversibility of PBF alterations post-bleaching.
Main Methods:
- A case series involving three patients undergoing in-office bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide.
- Pulp blood flow (PBF) was measured using Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) at baseline, immediately after, and one week post-bleaching.
- Tooth sensitivity was recorded verbally, and tooth color was assessed using a Vita shade guide.
Main Results:
- A whitening degree of 3-4 shade guide units was observed.
- All participants reported moderate to considerable tooth sensitivity.
- PBF decreased by 20-40% immediately after bleaching, returning to baseline or increasing slightly within one week.
- Tooth sensitivity also returned to baseline levels within one week.
Conclusions:
- Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) effectively detects reversible changes in pulp blood flow (PBF) following in-office bleaching.
- The observed decrease in PBF is temporary and does not appear to cause lasting effects.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of these findings.
