Dental bleaching with and without LED/Laser association: a split-mouth controlled study

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare dental color changes after a one-session tooth bleaching procedure using 35% hydrogen peroxide with and without hybrid light (LED/diode laser) activation. Material and Methods: 20 volunteers were included in a split-mouth controlled clinical trial. A 35% hydrogen peroxide gel was applied directly on the buccal surface and adjacent areas of all upper anterior teeth. The six teeth were divided into two groups the upper right incisors and canine were submitted to the tooth bleaching with the gel and the hybrid light (LED/diode laser) while the left incisors and canine were submitted to tooth bleaching with only the gel. Dental color was measured with a visual color scale and a spectrophotometer at five different moments initial appointment, immediately after prophylaxis, and 14, 30 and 180 days after bleaching. Results: The comparison between the results of both treatments (with and without LED/laser) did not show any statistically significant differences (p > 0.05; Wilcoxon test) neither for objective (spectrophotometer) nor for subjective evaluations (visual color scale). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that there are no differences in dental color changes between dental bleaching with gel and LED/Laser activation and dental bleaching with only gel.