At-Home Tooth Bleaching: Current Evidence and Clinical Applications

A whiter dentition has become a concern for many patients and consumers after the introduction of nightguard vital whitening in 1989. This increased awareness has led to a surge in the popularity of dental whitening (or bleaching) worldwide. Current methods for at-home bleaching include materials prescribed by dental professionals and methods and materials used without the involvement of a dental professional. The latter are over-the-counter (OTC) products available in drugstores and advertised in TV commercials and over the Internet. At-home tooth bleaching with a custom-fitted tray has been considered the safest technique if carried out under the supervision of a dental professional. This chapter compares the efficacy of at-home bleaching techniques, including dental professional-supervised at-home bleaching with carbamide peroxide gel in a custom-fitted tray, over-the-counter bleaching, and combined in-office bleaching with at-home bleaching. We also describe the advantages and disadvantages, side effects, and treatment recommendations with different at-home bleaching techniques based on current scientific information. Clinical cases are added to illustrate clinically relevant techniques.