Comparison of efficacy and outcome satisfaction between in-office and home teeth bleaching in Chinese patients

This in vivo study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of in-office and home teeth bleaching in Asian patients. Moreover, the correlation between tooth color change and patient's outcome satisfaction was investigated. Overall, 40 Chinese patients were randomly divided into two groups and prescribed in-office (OB) or take-home bleaching (HB). The color of the maxillary central incisor and canine were recorded at baseline, immediately after first treatment, 1 week, and 3 months after treatment by using a spectrophotometer. Bleaching sensitivity and outcome satisfaction were assessed using Likert and visual analogue scale (VAS), and the results were analyzed using independent t-test and Pearson correlation (P < 0.05). ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, and ΔE* values of HB were greater than those of OB. Color changes observed in canines were generally greater than those in incisors. Moreover, HB was generally associated with less tooth sensitivity than OB. Patients were satisfied with both treatments, but VAS scores were greater for HB. Furthermore, the correlation between ΔE* and VAS was significant for canines immediately after the first treatment and 1 week after HB. In conclusion, HB was more effective in lightening teeth and reducing chromacity in Chinese patients. The correlation between tooth color change and outcome satisfaction was generally insignificant and weak.