Can tooth whitening affect dental pulp?
The SCCP opinion states: 3.3.11.8 Clinical safety data In a survey by Clinical Research Associates, 91% of 8,143 dentists stated that they had used vital tooth bleaching, 79% reported success, while 12% were not satisfied with the concept. Side effects reported by the respondents included the following: 62.2% noted tooth hypersensitivity 10.7 % of the time; 45.9% reported soft-tissue irritation 5.6% of the time; 2.1% noted systemic effects 0.2% of the time; and 18.8% reported no side effects (Christensen, 1997). The most commonly observed clinical effects of treatments with tooth whiteners include mild tooth hypersensitivity to temperature changes and irritation of oral mucosa in some patients (Li et al. [Abstract], 1996, Haywood, 1993, 1997). Some patients have also reported burning palate, throat and gingiva (Howard, 1992). Tooth hypersensitivity often occurs during the early stage of bleaching treatment, and it is usually transient. The tray rather than the tooth whitening materials
