Effect of preoperative systemic capsaicin on tooth sensitivity after in-office bleaching: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND

Tooth bleaching sensitivity (TBS) after bleaching procedures is a common problem. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of preoperative systemic capsaicin on tooth sensitivity (TS) after in-office bleaching procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty participants received the treatment in this clinical trial. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups ( = 15). Placebo and 0.25% capsaicin were administered three times daily for 24 h, with the first dose being administrated 1 h before the bleaching procedure. The subjects underwent two bleaching sessions at a 2-week interval by applying 40% hydrogen peroxide gel on six upper anterior teeth. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate TS. Data were analyzed with SPSS 24. Statistical analyses were carried out with the Wilcoxon test and paired -test. Statistical significance was set at ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

In the capsaicin group, there was a significant increase in TBS between the immediate and 1-h postoperative intervals and a significant decrease between 1- and 24-h postoperative intervals ( = 0.01 and = 0.000, respectively). In the placebo group, there was a significant decrease between immediate and 24-h and between 1- and 24-h postoperative intervals ( = 0.007, = 0.02). Milder TS was detected in the placebo group 24 h after bleaching ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Under the limitations of this study, preoperative use of systemic capsaicin did not significantly affect TS after the in-office bleaching procedure.