Effects of pre-operative air-powder polishing and rubber-cup prophylaxis on tooth bleaching : Randomized controlled split-mouth clinical study

Abstract Background: The aim the study to compare the effects of pre-operative air-powder polishing and rubber-cup prophylaxis on tooth bleaching Methods: 23 subjects suffering from discoloration, were enrolled in a randomized controlled split mouth experimental study. Before bleaching, air powder polishing (APP) and rubber-cup polishing (RCP) techniques were applied on either side of the mouth. A 40% hydrogen peroxide bleaching agent applied two 15-minute applications for in-office bleaching. The tooth bleaching effects assessed immediately after and 1 week. Results: There were no significant differences between prophylaxis groups with respect to all color parameters (ΔL, Δa, Δb, ΔEab, ΔE00 and ΔSGU) at immediate period (p>0,05). At 1 week assessment period there were no significant differences between prophylaxis groups with respect to all color parameters (p>0,05) except delta E00 (p<0,05). Conclusions: Two prophylaxis techniques produced similar efficacy in bleaching treatment and the APP technique produced higher levels of color changes.