In vivo Spectrophotometric Assessment of the Tooth Whitening Effectiveness of Nite White 10% with Amorphous Calcium Phosphate, Potassium Nitrate and Fluoride, Over a 6-month Period

Abstract

To clinically evaluate the effectiveness of Nite White 10% carbamide peroxide with amorphous calcium phosphate, potassium nitrate and fluoride over a 6-month follow-up period. Nite White was applied nightly for 14 days, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The color of teeth 11 and 21 of twenty one subjects was measured with a spectrophotometer (L^*; a^*; b^*). Subjects were instructed to take note of any tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation. For all three components (L^*, a^* and b^*) statistical significant differences (p<0.05) in the values between base-line (pre-bleaching) and; after treatment, after 1-month, after 3-months as well as after 6-months were found (Wilcoxon Signed Rank Sum Test). Significant differences were also found amongst the ΔE^*_ab (0-14days) values and; ΔE^*_ab (0-1 month), ΔE*_ab (0-3 months) and ΔE^*_ab (0-6 months). However, no significant differences were found between pairs of ΔE^*_ab (0-1 month), ΔE^*_ab (0-3 months) and ΔE^*_ab (0-6months). The decrease in ΔE^*_ab was the highest after 1 month (~30%). The highest decrease in L^* was about 58% after 1 month. Over the 14-day treatment period tooth sensitivity was 24.5%. Conclusions: Nite White ACP demonstrated significant tooth-whitening (unit increase = 5.29) with a low tooth sensitivity (25%) probably due to the presence of amorphous calcium phosphate, potassium nitrate, and fluoride. The whitening effect decreased the most after one month and then maintained well even after a 6 month period (units 3.89).