Methods and techniques of tooth whitening

Abstract

Background. The smile represents one of the most important facial expressions in human communication, playing a fundamental role in the expression of positive emotions and in the establishment of interpersonal relationships. Dental aesthetics, particularly tooth color, has a significant impact on self-perception and social interactions. Objective of the study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of two tooth whitening approaches, in-office bleaching and at-home bleaching and to analyze their impact on patient satisfaction. Material and methods. The study was conducted on a group of 29 participants, who were divided into two groups: 18 patients underwent in-office bleaching, while 11 patients were treated using an at-home bleaching protocol. In-office whitening was performed using Opalescence Boost gel with a concentration of 40% hydrogen peroxide. For at-home whitening, Opalescence PF gel (Ultradent,USA) containing 15% carbamide peroxide was used. The gel was applied by patients in individualized trays for 4-6 hours per day over a period of 10 days. Results. Both tooth whitening methods resulted in a significant improvement in dental aesthetics. In-office bleaching provided rapid and immediately perceptible outcomes following treatment completion, whereas athome bleaching induced progressive chromatic changes that became evident throughout the treatment period. Conclusions. Tooth whitening is an effective and widely requested aesthetic dental procedure that contributes to improving smile appearance and enhancing patients’ self-confidence. Both in-office and at-home bleaching techniques provide favorable clinical outcomes, with differences mainly related to the speed of the whitening effect and the degree of professional supervision during treatment.