Whitening efficacy and tooth sensitivity in a combined in‐office and at‐home whitening protocol: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract Objective This controlled randomized clinical trial determined the whitening efficacy and the intensity and absolute risk of tooth sensitivity in dual whitening when prefilled at‐home whitening trays were used between in‐office whitening intervals. Materials and Methods An in‐office whitening agent containing 35% hydrogen peroxide was used. A prefilled tray with a whitening agent containing 6% hydrogen peroxide was used for at‐home whitening. Sixty‐six subjects were randomly assigned to three groups. Group I: at‐home whitening was performed 10 times between the in‐office whitening treatments. Group II: at‐home whitening was performed five times between the in‐office whitening treatments. Group III: only in‐office whitening was performed. The tooth color changes were evaluated using a spectrophotometer. A visual analog scale was used to express the pain intensity. Results All the groups showed increased Δ E *ab, Δ E 00 , and ΔWI D with increased whitening sessions. Group I at the 3rd whitening session showed significantly higher Δ E *ab, Δ E 00 , and ΔWI D than group III. Tooth sensitivity showed higher values up to 24 h after whitening. Conclusions Although dual whitening with the prefilled tray and in‐office whitening had higher whitening ability than in‐office whitening alone, the intensity and absolute risk of tooth sensitivity was similar. Clinical Relevance The dual whitening might produce faster and stronger whitening effects than in‐office whitening alone.