Comparative performance of two whitening systems in a dental practice.

OBJECTIVE: A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare the safety and whitening efficacy of high-adhesion tooth-whitening strips with a marketed in-office professional tooth-whitening system. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This open-label study was conducted in a private dental practice, and adult volunteers were assigned (2:1) to either 9.5 percent hydrogen-peroxide whitening strips (Strip group) or an in-office light plus 25 percent hydrogen-peroxide whitening gel treatment (In-office group). The Strip group was instructed to treat the maxillary arch once daily for 30 minutes over a 20-day period, while the In-office group underwent professional application of light plus whitening gel in a single office visit. Whitening response was measured as change in yellowness (b*) and lightness (L*) at Day 21 using standardized digital images of the maxillary anterior teeth, while safety was assessed as tooth sensitivity and oral irritation occurrence. A total of 45 subjects enrolled, were randomized, and received treatment; 44 completed the study. RESULTS: At Day 21, significant improvement in b* and L* was noted in both groups (P</=0.001). The adjusted mean (SE) DeltaL* in the Strip group (1.72 (0.104)) was significantly greater than that in the In-office group (1.17 (0.153)) (P = 0.005). Both test products were well tolerated. Overall, both the strip and in-office treatments resulted in significant tooth whitening.