Preemptive use of ibuprofen and desensitizer combo may decrease immediate tooth sensitivity after in-office bleaching

The authors evaluated the synergistic analgesic effect of preemptive administration of 400 mg of ibuprofen (IBU) and potassium fluoride 2% (KF2), both in isolation or combination, on the painful perception of tooth sensitivity after tooth bleaching.

Fifteen patients participated in this triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The study used a crossover design for drug administration and a split-mouth design for desensitizer agent. Four paired groups were formed: IBU plus KF2 (IBU + KF2); IBU (IBU + placebo KF); KF2 (placebo IBU + KF2), and placebo (placebo IBU + placebo KF). The outcome measure was the perception of tooth sensitivity, assessed using a visual analog scale. Data were collected at 4 different times: immediately after tooth bleaching (baseline) and after 6, 30, and 54 hours. Statistical analysis was performed using the Friedman test and relative risk.Results: IBU plus KF2 was found to be more effective in reducing tooth sensitivity immediately after bleaching (baseline) compared with the placebo group (P < .05). The risk of experiencing moderate or severe tooth sensitivity was approximately 4 times higher in the placebo group than in the IBU plus KF2 group (relative risk, 4.00; 95% CI, 1.01 to 15.81; P = .025). The combined use of 400 mg of IBU and KF2 appears to be beneficial in managing postbleaching tooth sensitivity. It provides a superior analgesic effect compared with placebo. The preemptive administration of IBU plus KF2 reduces tooth sensitivity after tooth whitening when compared with placebo.

Keywords:

Preemptive use, ibuprofen, desensitizer, tooth sensitivity, in-office bleaching, Journal Of American Dental Association, Dental bleaching, tooth sensitivity, ibuprofen, NLB Lima, PH Sette-de-Souza, AHC Siqueira, SGA Costa, PVM Alves, FA Silvestre, NE Meneses, SL Santiago, RF Peixoto