A Recent Clinical:
The Efficacy of
Light-Assisted Chairside Whitening
By Sabiha M. Bunek, DDS; John M. Powers, PhD; John W. Farah, DDS, PhD; Lori K. Brown, DDS; Santine E. Anderson, DDS; William T. Stevenson, DDS; Robert J. Stevenson, DDS
Dental Consultants, Inc. (THE DENTAL ADVISOR), Ann Arbor, MI
Description
Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of a light-assisted, in-office, tooth whitening system using a high-output,
sodium-free, short-arc bulb; advanced optical alignment; intuitive LCD control panel; and
locking casters, in conjunction with three, 15-minute applications of 25% hydrogen peroxide gel was
performed. The supplied procedure kit contained two individually sealed procedure trays, two plastic
cases for take-home trays, gauze, and two light guides. Each tray included instructions; two pretreatment
swabs; two, 1.3-g syringes of Dental Dam; protective lip cream; vitamin E oil; a paint brush;
two face bibs; one syringe of desensitizing gel; and a 2.4-g syringe of touch-up material. Retractors
were used.
Clinical Evaluation Protocol
- Seventeen patients received three, 15-minute applications of 25% hydrogen peroxide gel in conjunction with the high-output, sodium-free, short-arc bulb lamp*.
- Eleven patients received three, 15-minute applications of 25% hydrogen peroxide gel without use of the lamp*.
- All patients had a start shade of Vita A3 or darker, and no tetracycline stains were treated.
- Before and after shades were taken on each patient using the Vita Classic value-arranged shade guide. The shade change immediately following the in-office procedure was recorded.
- All patients were recalled at 7-10 days and again at 30 days after the in-office procedure to evaluate final shade and patient satisfaction. Patients were given a survey and asked to rate the effectiveness of treatment, sensitivity, satisfaction, and their overall opinion of the treatment.
- Shade changes were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance.
Clinical Observations
Overall, patients who received treatment with the lamp were more satisfied with the results of their in-office
whitening treatment when compared to those patients who received the whitening treatment without the
lamp. Patients who received treatment with the lamp had a higher rate of satisfaction and found the
treatment to be more effective.
Table 1. Shade Change Immediately Following In-Office Bleaching Treatment
|
Shade Change - Maxillary |
Shade Change - Mandibular |
| Lamp |
7.6 (1.8)* |
7.1 (1.7) |
| No Lamp |
5.7 (2.0) |
6.2 (1.8) |
*Means with standard deviations in parentheses. Shade changes
between Lamp and No Lamp were statistically different (p<0.05).
Table 2. Shade Change 7-10 Days after In-Office Bleaching Treatment
|
Shade Change - Maxillary |
Shade Change - Mandibular |
| Lamp |
5.9 (1.8)* |
5.9 (2.1) |
| No Lamp |
4.7 (2.1) |
5.0 (2.4) |
*Means with standard deviations in parentheses. Shade changes
between Lamp and No Lamp were statistically different (p<0.05).
Table 3. Shade Change 30 Days after In-Office Bleaching Treatment
|
Shade Change - Maxillary |
Shade Change - Mandibular |
| Lamp |
6.4 (2.0)* |
5.8 (2.0) |
| No Lamp |
4.5 (1.8) |
5.1 (2.3) |
*Means with standard deviations in parentheses. Shade changes
between Lamp and No Lamp were statistically different (p<0.05).
Figure 1. Average shade change versus time after treatment for maxillary teeth.
Figure 2. Average shade change versus time after treatment for mandibular teeth.
Figure 3. Teeth before bleaching.
Figure 4. Teeth after bleaching.
Conclusions
Whitening with use of the high-output, sodium-free, short-arc bulb lamp resulted in a greater shade
change compared to whitening without the lamp immediately after treatment, after 7-10 days, and after 30
days. Results immediately after whitening and at 30 days with the use of the high-output, sodium-free,
short-arc bulb lamp showed that maxillary teeth on average were 1.9 shades lighter and mandibular teeth
were 0.7 shades lighter as compared to whitening without the lamp.
Acknowledgment
This study was funded in part by a grant from Discus Dental.
This article is reprinted by permission from The Dental Advisor
* ZOOM! Advanced Power Lamp, Discus Dental, LLC Culver City, CA
Vita is a registered trademark of Vita Zahnfabrik, H.Rauter GmbH & KG
