A clinical study assessing the short‐term efficacy of combined in‐office/at‐home whitening treatment

Abstract Objective The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to assess the efficacy of color change in combined in‐office/at‐home whitening. Materials and Methods Thirty participants were randomly divided into two groups: 15 received combined treatment in‐office whitening (6% hydrogen peroxide + 2 weeks at‐home whitening with 16% carbamide peroxide [CP]); 15 were assigned to control group. Instrumental color measurements were obtained before whitening ( t 0 ), immediately after in‐office whitening ( t in‐office ), after 1 week of active treatments ( t 1 ), and at the completion of the whitening treatment ( t 2 ). CIE L * a * b * values were recorded and CIE L * a * b * and CIEDE2000 color differences were calculated. Results The color change at t in‐office was Δ E ab = 4.7 and Δ E 00 = 3.2 and overall color change of combined method at t 2 was Δ E ab = 8.2 and Δ E 00 = 5.3 ( P < 0.05). A statistically significant effect for the mean CIE L * a * b * and CIEDE2000 values was detected within time with the mean a *, b * and C ′ values decreasing and mean h ′ values increasing significantly ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Combined in‐office/at‐home whitening was effective. Whitening efficacy increased upon application of 16% CP in combined in‐office/at‐home treatment ( P < 0.05). Clinical Significance The statistically significant increase in color change recommends clinical application of combined in‐office/at‐home whitening treatment.