The Effect of Delivery System and Light Activation on Tooth Whitening Efficacy and Hydrogen Peroxide Penetration

To evaluate the whitening efficacy of a new two-layer technology in-office system compared to a conventional gel-type system and determine hydrogen peroxide penetration (HPP) into the pulp cavity.

Extracted molars (n = 60) were assigned to group NC: glycerol gel; group QPRO: 20% HP varnish (Zoom Quick Pro, Philips Oral Healthcare); group ZOOM_NL: 25% HP gel (Zoom Chairside Whitening); and group ZOOM_WL: 25% HP gel (Zoom Chairside Whitening) with light-activation. HPP levels were estimated with leucocrystal-violet and horseradish-peroxidase. Instrumental color measurements were performed at baseline (T₀ ), 1-day post first whitening (T₁ ), 1-day post second whitening (T₂ ), 1-day post third whitening (T₃ ), and 1-month post whitening (T₄ ). One-way analysis of variance followed by post hoc Tukey's HSD test was performed to detect difference in ΔE* and HP penetration levels (α = 0.05).

ΔE* of NC was lower than other groups, whereas ΔE* of ZOOM_WL was greater than the other three groups, at T₃ and T₄ . Mean HPP level obtained from ZOOM_WL (1.568 ± 0.753 μg/mL) was significantly greater than those obtained from the other groups, whereas the mean HPP level observed in NC group (-0.131 ± 0.003 μg/mL) was significantly lower than the other groups.

Tooth whitening efficacy and HPP levels vary based on whitening systems used.

The two-layer technology in-office varnish system may be an alternative whitening option to reduce chair time in the office. (J Esthet Restor Dent 28:313-320, 2016).