Bleaching efficacy and tooth sensitivity using violet LED - single-blind randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Photochemistry in Dentistry
• Aesthetic Dentistry

Background:

• Tooth discoloration is a common aesthetic concern.
• Hydrogen peroxide (HP) and light-activation are widely used for dental bleaching.
• Violet LED (VLED) offers a novel approach to light-activated bleaching.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the bleaching efficacy and tooth sensitivity (TS) of violet LED (VLED) with and without 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP).
• To compare the outcomes of HP only, VLED only, and HP + VLED treatments.

Main Methods:

• A single-blind randomized controlled trial involving 84 participants.
• Three treatment groups: 35% HP, VLED, and HP + VLED, with three sessions at 7-day intervals.
• Colorimetric measurements (ΔEab, ΔE00, ΔSGU, ΔWID) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for tooth sensitivity were used.

Main Results:

• HP and HP + VLED groups demonstrated significantly higher bleaching efficacy compared to VLED alone.
• The HP + VLED and HP groups reported significantly higher risk and intensity of tooth sensitivity.
• Bleaching efficacy of VLED alone was lower than HP and HP + VLED at 7 and 30 days post-treatment.

Conclusions:

• 35% HP, with or without VLED, provides superior tooth whitening but is associated with increased tooth sensitivity.
• VLED alone shows lower bleaching efficacy and is associated with less tooth sensitivity.
• Combining 35% HP with VLED does not enhance bleaching efficacy over HP alone but increases tooth sensitivity.