Effect of potassium nitrate and fluoride on carbamide peroxide bleaching

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect on tooth sen sitivity when potassium nitrate and fluoride were added to a 10% carbamide peroxide bleaching gel. method and materials: Seventeen maxillary and four mandibular arches, were bleached using the at-home bleaching technique. The bleaching treatment consisted of the simultaneous use of a 10% carbamide p eroxide gel containing 3% potassium nitrate, wt/vol and 0.11 fluoride ion w t/vol on one side of the midline and a 10% carbamide peroxide gel, only (co ntrol) on the other side of the midline for 14 nights. A visual analog scal e for each side of the. dental arch was used by the patients to assess toot h sensitivity and tooth whitening. Preoperative and postoperative photograp hs were also taken. Results: The addition of potassium nitrate and fluoride significantly decreased the total tooth sensitivity reported by the patien ts. The addition did not significantly change the whitening efficacy: of th e carbamide peroxide bleach. Conclusion: A 10% carbamide peroxide bleaching . get containing potassium nitrate and fluoride produced less tooth sensiti vity than did the control bleaching gel during a 2-week at-home bleaching t reatment.