Preferences on Vital and Nonvital Tooth Bleaching: A Survey Among Dentists from a City of Southern Brazil

Abstract

This study evaluated the preferences of general dentists regarding vital and nonvital tooth bleaching therapies and investigated whether the time of clinical practice and postgraduate training influence these options. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire with closed questions applied to dentists (n=276) of a mid-sized city of the southern Brazil (Pelotas, RS). Information was collected regarding sociodemographic variables, level of specialization and time since graduation. In addition, options regarding bleaching therapies including the first choice of material, technique and clinical practice for vital and nonvital tooth bleaching therapies were included. Data were submitted to descriptive analysis and the associations were evaluated using chi-square and Fisher exact tests (a=0.05). The response rate was 68% (n=187). At-home bleaching therapy was broadly preferred (78.1%) over in-office (21.9%) bleaching. For at-home bleaching, most dentists answered to use 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) (40.2%) and >30% hydrogen peroxide (HP) (31.7%) for nonvital therapies. The majority of dentists with post-graduation training preferred at-home bleaching techniques (p=0.003). At-home bleaching therapy was also more indicated by younger dentists. No association was found between the choice for nonvital bleaching therapies and time since graduation (p=0.532) or continuous education (p=0.083). In conclusion, at-home bleaching was preferred over in-office therapies; 10% CP and >30% HP were chosen as first option agents to treat discolored vital and nonvital teeth, respectively. The time in clinical practice and the level of specialization affected dentists' choices only for vital tooth bleaching treatment.

In Situ and In Vitro Effects of Two Bleaching Treatments on Human Enamel Hardness

“…In the present study, the same concentration of hydrogen peroxide was used, but in different application methods: HP gel and whitening strips. Whitening strips are an OTC method easy to use and less expensive than at-home or in-office bleaching methods, presenting some efficacy in tooth color recovery (21,22) and these are some of the reasons for their growing popularity (4). Few studies have investigated enamel microhardness after the use of hydrogen peroxide strips and the results demonstrated no deleterious effect on the enamel microhardness (23,24).…”

“…Tooth bleaching has become a popular treatment, with a large variability of commercial presentations that may be applied in the dental office, at-home under the supervision of the dentist or using over-the-counter (OTC) products without professional supervision (3). At-home bleaching treatment is the preferred treatment protocol for vital teeth according to the Brazilian dentists, using low concentration gels with mouthguards, while OTC products are used/ recommended by 5% of these dentists (4).…”

Comparison of efficacy of tray-delivered carbamide and hydrogen peroxide for at-home bleaching: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In a recent questionnaire-based survey conducted in the southern of Brazil, at-home bleaching was broadly preferred (78.1 %) for vital tooth bleaching compared with in-office therapy (21.9 %) [7]. This trend seems to occur worldwide.…”

Knowledge and practice of vital pulp therapy in young permanent teeth among general dental practitioners in Kerman, Iran

“…The evaluation was carried out using a questionnaire whose content was confirmed by pediatric dentists and endodontists. Previous studies have shown that post-graduation training affect the adhesive system selection, the choice of vital bleaching treatment, application of rubber dam for composite restoration as well as the choice of post for endodontically treated teeth (Demarco et al 2013a;2013b;Nascimento et al 2013). …”