Photobiomodulation vs. Placebo on Post-Bleaching Sensitivity and Color Change: A Split-Mouth Clinical Study

This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of Photobiomodulation (PBM) with low-level LASER therapy compared to placebo in post-bleaching sensitivity and color change during a three-week office bleaching treatment.

A split-mouth model was used to evaluate 21 subjects. The right and left hemi-archs were randomized to one of two groups: GP (placebo): simulated LASER application followed by tooth bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide; and GL: treated with PBM followed by tooth bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide. A four-degree modified Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess tooth sensitivity after the application of an evaporative stimulus (stimulated pain). In addition, a daily questionnaire was used to measure unstimulated pain. The color change was measured using a spectrophotometer. The Friedman and Wilcoxon tests were used to analyze data sensitivity. Color results were statistically analyzed using Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey post-hoc test.

There was no significant difference between GP and GL for stimulated pain evaluation (p> 0.05). However, there was a significant difference between the groups for unstimulated pain evaluation (p≤ 0.05). In addition, ΔE data did not reveal any significant difference in tooth color between groups at any time (p> 0.05).

PBM prevented post-bleaching sensitivity compared to placebo, based on the daily pain assessment questionnaires. PBM did not compromise the quality of bleaching treatments.