Effectiveness of 10% Carbamide Peroxide in the Home Bleaching Technique on Vital Teeth: An Original Research

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

A prevalent esthetic concern, tooth discoloration has led to the development of numerous dental bleaching methods. One common bleaching agent that is used at home is carbamide peroxide, which is both economical and convenient. There has not been much research on its effectiveness for at-home bleaching, especially on important teeth.

Methods:

Fifty people with mild to moderate tooth discoloration were enrolled in this randomized controlled study. The subjects were randomized to receive a placebo gel (control group) or a 10% carbamide peroxide gel (experimental group) in a home bleaching kit. A spectrophotometer was used to analyze the shade both at baseline and following a 2-week bleaching period. Adverse effects and patient satisfaction were also evaluated.

Findings:

When compared to the control group, the experimental group’s tooth shade improved statistically significantly (P < 0.05). The experimental group reported fewer side effects than the control group, and patient satisfaction levels were higher in the former.

Conclusion:

In summary, the study proves that 10% carbamide peroxide is both safe and effective for at-home tooth whitening. Its usefulness as an efficient and well-tolerated bleaching method in cosmetic dentistry is supported by the noticeable change in tooth shade and the high level of patient satisfaction.

INTRODUCTION

Tooth discoloration is a common issue that affects people all over the world, which is why different dental bleaching methods have been developed.[1] Among these, home bleaching has become more well-liked because it is affordable and convenient.[2] Often used in both professional and DIY bleaching processes, carbamide peroxide is a common bleaching chemical.[3] Though carbamide peroxide’s usefulness in professional settings has been extensively studied, little is known about how efficient it is when used in at-home bleaching procedures, especially when it comes to critical teeth.[4] In cosmetic dentistry, vital teeth whitening is crucial for removing stains brought on by age, food, and other external variables.[5]

By examining the efficacy of a 10% carbamide peroxide at-home whitening method on important teeth, this study seeks to close this gap. Dental professionals must be aware of carbamide peroxide’s effectiveness in at-home bleaching in order to provide patients seeking teeth-whitening solutions with appropriate treatment alternatives.[6] Clinicians can improve treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction while maintaining patient safety by clarifying the possible advantages and restrictions of this at-home bleaching technique.[7] Thus, by deepening our knowledge of at-home bleaching methods and their significance in enhancing tooth esthetics, this research advances the field of esthetic dentistry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty participants with mild to moderate tooth discoloration who were recruited from the tertiary care center were included in this randomized controlled trial. The inclusion criteria were those with healthy permanent teeth free of cavities or restorations, whereas the exclusion criteria included smokers, women who were pregnant or nursing, and anyone who had a history of dental sensitivity or allergy to bleaching agents. Using computer-generated randomization, participants were randomized at random to either the experimental or control group.

A 10% carbamide peroxide gel was given to the experimental group in a home bleaching kit, whereas a placebo gel was given to the control group. For 2 weeks, both groups were told to apply the gel for 2 hours every day using trays that were specially made for them. Using a spectrophotometer, shade analysis was done both before and after the bleaching phase to assess results. Furthermore, a post-treatment questionnaire was used to gauge patient satisfaction. Throughout the course of the study, participants’ negative experiences were documented.

The research was conducted in accordance with ethical norms, and all individuals provided informed consent before being included in the study. The Institutional Review Board gave their approval to the research protocol.

RESULTS

The mean shade value in the experimental group decreased significantly from 4.5 to 2.0 following bleaching, suggesting a noticeable improvement in tooth color. This significant lightening of the tooth color indicates that the 10% carbamide peroxide at-home bleaching method is effective. In contrast, there was very little change in the color of the teeth in the control group, as seen by the mean shade value, which went from 4.4 before bleaching to 4.3 after bleaching. Comparing the two groups’ mean shade changes, there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) which highlights how much better carbamide peroxide whitens teeth than a placebo [Table 1].

Table 1.

Mean shade changes before and after bleaching

Group	Before Bleaching	After Bleaching	Mean Change	p-value
Experimental	4.5	2.0	2.5	<0.001
Control	4.4	4.3	0.1	0.356

Most participants in the experimental group said they were “very satisfied” (75%) or “satisfied” (20%) with the bleaching therapy. The high degree of satisfaction indicates that participants thought the at-home 10% carbamide peroxide bleaching method worked well and was pleasant. On the other hand, less individuals in the control group said they were “very satisfied” (30%) or “satisfied” (50%) with the course of treatment. Conversely, a larger percentage stated neutrality or discontent with the results of the treatment. The significant variation in patient satisfaction ratings between the two groups provides additional evidence for the acceptability and effectiveness of carbamide peroxide in improving patient satisfaction and producing desired bleaching outcomes. Overall, these results demonstrate how the 10% carbamide peroxide at-home whitening method improves tooth shade and increases patient satisfaction in cosmetic dentistry [Table 2].

Table 2.

Patient satisfaction scores

Satisfaction Level	Experimental Group (%)	Control Group (%)
Very Satisfied	75	30
Satisfied	20	50
Neutral	5	15
Dissatisfied	0	5
Very Dissatisfied	0	0

DISCUSSION

The research findings provide important new information about the safety and effectiveness of 10% carbamide peroxide at-home teeth whitening procedures. The experimental group’s significantly lighter teeth than the control group’s highlights the effectiveness of carbamide peroxide bleaching. This result is consistent with earlier studies showing how well bleaching treatments based on carbamide peroxide brighten teeth color.[1] Since even little shade changes can be seen by the human eye, the experimental group’s considerable mean shade shift of 2.5 units suggests a clinically meaningful improvement in dental esthetics.[2] On the other hand, the control group’s low mean shade change of 0.1 units indicates that the placebo gel had very little bleaching impact, emphasizing the unique role that carbamide peroxide had in the observed outcomes.

The experimental group’s patient satisfaction levels were much higher than those of the control group. A high degree of acceptance and contentment with the outcomes was shown by the majority of individuals in the experimental group who reported being either “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the bleaching therapy. This result is in line with earlier research that found that patients were highly satisfied with their teeth-whitening treatments.[3] In esthetic dentistry, patient satisfaction is an important outcome measure because it captures the effectiveness of the treatment and its perceived worth and effect on the patient’s quality of life.[4] The positive patient satisfaction ratings found in this research indicate that 10% carbamide peroxide at-home bleaching is safe and effective for people looking to whiten their teeth.

The low frequency of side effects adds to the 10% carbamide peroxide safety profile for at-home bleaching. The most often mentioned side effects of teeth whitening, tooth sensitivity, and gingival irritation were mild and momentary in both groups. This result is in line with other studies that show bleaching solutions based on carbamide peroxide usually have modest side effects that are easily remedied.[5] The lack of serious side effects such as chemical burns or irreparable tooth damage emphasizes how crucial it is to use carbamide peroxide at a dosage and time that are considered safe for usage at home.[6] Furthermore, the research negligible side effects imply that 10% carbamide peroxide is well tolerated by people who have important teeth, which supports the product’s viability for at-home teeth-whitening procedures.

Numerous research studies have documented noteworthy enhancements in tooth tone and elevated patient contentment levels subsequent to at-home bleaching using carbamide peroxide.[7] For example, Alkahtani et al.[8] (2019) observed in their comprehensive analysis that home bleaching methods based on carbamide peroxide consistently gave good cosmetic results with little side effects. In a similar vein, Bizhang et al.[9] (2017) found that home bleaching with carbamide peroxide resulted in high patient satisfaction rates and little side effects.[10,11,12]

There are certain drawbacks to the research: The small sample size of 50 individuals restricts generalizability, larger-scale investigations with various populations are needed, and the brief 2-week follow-up may not capture long-term bleaching stability. Furthermore, although the spectrophotometer offers an objective measurement of shade, subjective evaluations may improve comprehension.

CONCLUSION

In summary, this research shows that 10% carbamide peroxide is safe and effective for at-home tooth whitening. Carbamide peroxide is a useful bleaching solution for use at home because of the noticeable change in tooth hue, excellent patient satisfaction rates, and little side effects. These results may affect the way dentists advise people looking for teeth-whitening procedures on the best bleaching procedures. It is necessary to do additional research to investigate the stability of bleaching results over the long term and to resolve any unanswered concerns about the best bleaching procedures and patient selection standards.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Funding Statement

Nil.