The use of desensitizing agents during in-office bleaching might not decrease tooth bleaching sensitivity: a...

Due to controversial results in relation to the influence of desensitizing agents on sensitivity during bleaching, the present study evaluated the degree of tooth bleaching sensitivity, color change, and patient acceptability of desensitizing agents containing potassium nitrate/sodium fluoride (PNF) or nanostructured calcium phosphate (N) associated with in-office bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP).

Seventy-five patients were randomly distributed into three groups (n = 25): 1) Group W - in-office bleaching (Whiteness HP Maxx - three sessions of 45 min); 2) Group WD - associated with PNF desensitizing gel (Desensibilize KF 2%) applied for 10 min before each session; 3) Group WDN - associated with N desensitizing paste (Desensibilize Nano P) applied after bleaching for 5 min. The degree of sensitivity and patient acceptability of the desensitizing treatments were evaluated using a visual analog scale. Color change evaluations were made over different time intervals.

The three groups showed no significant difference in sensitivity between the time intervals throughout the evaluation, except for the one of 24 h after the second bleaching session, in which group WD showed lower bleaching sensitivity than group W (P < 0.05; Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests). The use of PNF gel and N paste did not interfere with the color change during dental bleaching.

Although the use of desensitizing agents during bleaching did not interfere with the color change during dental bleaching, it was shown that these agents were not effective in the treatment of tooth bleaching sensitivity, despite being acceptable to the patients.