Prophylaxis is "highly recommended" prior to using paint-on home-whitening gels, according to a new study (Quintessence International, February 2010, Vol. 41:2, pp. 145-156).
Researchers from Dresden University of Technology looked at 90 extracted human maxillary anterior teeth that were randomly separated into a prophylaxis group or nonprophylaxis group (45 teeth in each group). The prophylaxis group received debridement and polishing before whitening.
The two groups were then randomly separated into three subgroups of 15 teeth each: placebo group, test group (Easy White, Dental Kosmetik), and positive control group (Colgate Simply White, Colgate-Palmolive).
The two-week whitening treatment consisted of applying one of the three gels twice daily according to the manufacturers' instructions. Tooth color assessment was done at baseline, after prophylaxis, and after whitening.
"While whitening was effective with or without prophylaxis, prior prophylaxis contributed to improved post-treatment outcomes," the authors concluded. "Both test gel and positive control gel resulted in greater shade reductions and tooth color improvements compared to placebo gel (p < 0.05)."
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