To minimize the tooth sensitivity caused by in-office bleaching, many dentists use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and topical desensitizing gels containing potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of these substances on inflammation and the expression of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide in pulp nerve fibers.

Seventy-two rats were divided into 6 groups as follows: GI, control; GII, only dental bleaching; GIII, only ibuprofen; GIV, ibuprofen administered 30 minutes before and after the bleaching treatment and every 12 hours until the analysis; GV, only topical application of a desensitizing agent; and GVI, topical application of a desensitizing agent before dental bleaching. Placebo gel was applied to the upper left jaw and the bleaching agent was applied to the upper right jaw in all groups. Subsequently, the groups were divided into 3 subgroups based on the time of analysis: 0, 24, and 48 hours after bleaching (n = 8). The rats were euthanized and the maxillae were processed and evaluated by histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Dunn test (p < 0.05).

In the bleaching groups, the inflammatory process and expression of neuropeptides decreased over time. The animals in which a desensitizing agent was applied showed better results within 24 hours.

The use of a desensitizing agent had positive effects on inflammation and pain-related neuropeptide expression, minimizing the painful effects of dental bleaching treatment.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microhardness and surface roughness of composite resins before and after tooth bleaching procedures.

Sixty specimens were prepared of each composite resin (Filtek Supreme XT and Opallis), and BisCover LV surface sealant was applied to half of the specimens. Thirty enamel samples were obtained from the buccal and lingual surfaces of human molars for use as the control group. The surface roughness and microhardness were measured before and after bleaching procedures with 35% hydrogen peroxide or 16% carbamide (n = 10). Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and the Fisher test (α = 0.05).

Neither hydrogen peroxide nor carbamide peroxide treatment significantly altered the hardness of the composite resins, regardless of surface sealant application; however, both treatments significantly decreased the hardness of the tooth samples (p < 0.05). The bleaching did not cause any change in surface roughness, with the exception of the unsealed Opallis composite resin and dental enamel, both of which displayed an increase in surface roughness after bleaching with carbamide peroxide (p < 0.05).

The microhardness and surface roughness of enamel and Opallis composite resin were influenced by bleaching procedures.