Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of self-applied paint-on type 2.8% hydrogen peroxide humidity-facilitated setting tooth-whitening gel. Methods: Seventy-one young adults who have at least one A3 shade or darker colored tooth among their four maxillary anterior teeth were screened from 762 college students. They were allocated to experimental and placebo control group by matching color of teeth and gender. Subjects painted gels on their 4 maxillary anterior teeth 2 times a day for 3 weeks. Tooth color was measured at baseline, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days. The brightness of tooth was measured using VITAPAN classical(Vita Zahnfabrik, Germany) shade guide. Symptoms related to discomfort on using gels were evaluated by self-administered questionnaire. Results: Experimental group showed 3.3 step increase of their mean tooth brightness. This brightness change was statistically significant between experimental and control group(P < 0.001). Ninety-sevenpercent of subjects from experimental group showed increased brightness after 3 weeks' use of experimental gel. Six percent of subjects felt discomfort after using experimental gel, and the magnitude of their discomfort was small and lasted less than 20 minutes after self-application. Conclusion: Using self-applied paint-on type 2.8% hydrogen peroxide humidity-facilitated setting gel was considered to be effective and safe on tooth-whitening.