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Immediate clinical evaluation of a 940-nm diode laser-assisted in-office bleaching technique

Abstract:

Purpose: Evaluate the clinical performance of currently available dental bleaching technologies concerning their efficacy and safety features. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcome of a 940-nm diode laser-assisted in-office bleaching technique for vital teeth. Methods: Subjects were assigned to treatments in a split-mouth study design. A 38% hydrogen peroxide gel photoactivated by 940 nm [400 μm fiber tip, 7 W; maximum energy of 210 J per tooth (smaller teeth received less energy than 210 J), maximum period of 30 s] (LaserWhite20, Biolase, USA) and a 38% hydrogen peroxide conventional gel (Power Whitening, WHITEsmile, Germany) were tested. The photoactivated system was evaluated on the right quadrants of upper and lower jaws, while the conventional hydrogen peroxide system was evaluated on the left quadrants. Gels were fixed in place for 10 min and then rinsed. The degree of color change was evaluated using a spectrophotometer based on VITAscale (Shade Star, Degudent, Germany) immediately after treatments. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s test or paired t test, setting a significance level of 5%. Results: Both treatments were effective in promoting tooth whitening (p < 0.05). No differences among teeth and arches were observed within each treatment group (p > 0.05). The laser-assisted system resulted in lower shade values in both upper and lower jaws (p < 0.05). Few patients experienced tooth sensitivity in the treated areas upon completion of the treatment. The dental pulp viability of the treated teeth was maintained more than 1 year after the completion of the treatments. Conclusions: The 940-nm diode laser-assisted tooth whitening has been shown to be effective in a short-term post-bleaching assessment.