Tooth-Specific Personalization of In-Office Whitening Time: A Three-Case Report

Dental sensitivity during or after tooth whitening is a common adverse effect that may compromise patient comfort and treatment acceptance. This case report descriptively evaluated three patients who underwent in-office whitening with a calcium-containing 35% hydrogen peroxide gel, applied in three sessions at 7-day intervals. A differential protocol was adopted, with reduced application time (from 40 to 20 min) according to tooth group, particularly for incisors, in an attempt to minimize sensitivity in teeth with reduced enamel and dentin thickness. Despite this adjustment, all patients reported some degree of sensitivity, predominantly in mandibular incisors, ranging from mild to severe. Notably, a homogeneous aesthetic outcome was achieved across different dental groups, even with reduced exposure times. Although color change and sensitivity distribution were assessed qualitatively, the findings provide clinical insight into the influence of anatomical variability on bleaching response. All patients reported high satisfaction with the aesthetic results. Within the limitations of this case report, reducing application time alone was insufficient to control sensitivity, suggesting that additional strategies may be required, particularly for thinner teeth. This approach may support the development of more individualized bleaching protocols based on dental characteristics.