Clinical study of the safety and effectiveness of a novel over-the-counter bleaching tray system.

We investigated color change, gingival irritation, and tooth sensitivity in patients undergoing at-home vital tooth bleaching with a novel over-the-counter bleaching tray system. Tooth color shade in anterior teeth, supragingival plaque and gingivitis in Ramfjord teeth, as well as visual assessment of teeth gingival tissues and mucosa were evaluated in-office prior to treatment, after two consecutive applications of the 9% hydrogen peroxide bleaching product, after eight applications (10 minutes/day for 3 days at home), and after ten applications (50 minutes exposure over 5 days). Color stability was evaluated at 3 months after completing the treatment regimen. Over-the-counter bleaching products can be used by the patient at home without dentist supervision, but are frequently associated with gingival irritation and tooth sensitivity despite low concentrations of peroxide agents. Our investigations showed that the treatment is tolerable and safe with a low incidence of adverse effects. Any adverse effects associated with use of the whitening gel and tray are temporary, easily controlled, and often disappear within minutes of treatment. Statistical analysis revealed significant improvement in teeth whitening following treatment (mean color change of seven shades) and at three months after treatment.

The in vivo efficacy of Fluorinex topical fluoridation treatment.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized, single-controlled study was performed to validate in vivo the efficacy of single Fluorinex treatment by examining fluoride incorporation into enamel using electron microscopy. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Twenty healthy participants referred for routine dental treatment which also required extractions of at least two teeth as part of their treatment plan were included in this study. For each participant, one randomly selected tooth was extracted and sent for blind electron microscopic fluoride assay (control, C). Next, following a single Fluorinex treatment, the second (test, T) tooth was extracted and sent for the same assay. Intra-individual and intergroup fluoride content comparisons were performed, between control and test teeth. RESULTS: Highly significant intra-individual and intergroup differences were found between the treated and untreated teeth. Fluoride atomic percent (at%) and weight percent (wt%) estimated least squares means of untreated group were found to be 0.56 and 0.48, and in the treated group 17.35 and 14.35. This increase in fluoride at% [16.78 ± 2.3 (SE)], was also significant statistically (P < .0001); likewise, the increase in fluoride wt % [13.86 ± 1.97 (SE)] was similarly significant (P < .0001). The system was well tolerated by the participants with minimal transitional mild side effects. CONCLUSION: In vivo fluoride application using the active Fluorinex system resulted in a significant increase of fluoride content in the enamel of adult permanent teeth compared to untreated internal controls.