07 March 2023

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Use of calcium-containing bioactive desensitizers in dental bleaching

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Background

Topical application of calcium-containing bioactive desensitizers (CBs) has been used to minimize bleaching-induced tooth sensitivity (TS). This study answered the research question “Is the risk of TS lower when CBs are used with dental bleaching in adults compared with bleaching without desensitizers?”

Studies reviewed

The authors included randomized clinical trials comparing topical CB application with a placebo or no intervention during bleaching. The team conducted searches for eligible articles in MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane Library, Brazilian Library in Dentistry, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and gray literature without language and date restrictions and updated in September 2022. The risk of bias was evaluated using Risk of Bias Version 2.0.

The authors conducted meta-analyses with the random-effects model. The authors assessed heterogeneity with the Cochrane Q test, I2 statistics and prediction interval. The authors used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to assess the certainty of the evidence.

Results

After database screening, 22 studies remained, with most at high risk of bias. No difference in the risk of TS was detected. In a visual analog scale, the intensity of TS was lower for the CB group. The color change was unaffected.

Practical implications

Although topical CB dental bleaching did not reduce the risk of TS and color change, these agents slightly reduced the TS intensity, but the certainty of the evidence is very low.

Michael Willian Favoreto et al. "Use of calcium-containing bioactive desensitizers in dental bleaching: A systematic review and meta-analysis." JADA. 23 January 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2022.11.012