A recent study conducted by GlaxoSmithKline, makers of Sensodyne, reveals good news for patients considering professional tooth-whitening procedures. Study results showed that patients who brushed with Sensodyne toothpaste two times daily, two weeks before and during professionally-supervised, at-home whitening treatment experienced less sensitivity and generally were more satisfied with their whitening treatment compared to a control group using regular toothpaste. The study also indicated that Sensodyne did not interfere with the results of the whitening treatment.
Study results were obtained through a multi-center randomized, two-arm, parallel group open-label study. More than 200 patients at fourteen dental offices participated in the study. Patients were instructed to use either Sensodyne Fresh Mint Toothpaste or a family dentifrice two weeks prior to and during the professional bleaching treatment. The professional bleaching agent used by all patients was Day White® Excel™ 3, with 9.5 percent hydrogen peroxide and potassium nitrate. Study results are based on patient satisfaction surveys and diary entries. More information about the study can be found at www.dental-professional.com.
According Dr. David Alexander, Director of Worldwide Dental Affairs for GlaxoSmithKline, the study results provide valuable information about whitening and sensitivity.
"Sensitivity is the most common side-effect of tooth-whitening procedures. Dentists have recommended the use of Sensodyne to help control whitening-related sensitivity and enable those who are bothered to continue their treatment until they achieve the desired level of whiteness. We now have some clinical evidence that supports this recommendation."
In addition to the benefits of a more comfortable and satisfying whitening experience, study participants using Sensodyne were significantly more sensitivity-free during the first three days of their treatment, which typically is when patients experience the greatest degree of whitening-related sensitivity. Patients also experienced significantly more sensitivity-free days overall. Further, those using Sensodyne were significantly more satisfied with their whitening experience. Seventy percent of patients in the Sensodyne group reported they would be more willing to repeat whitening treatment in the future compared to 52 percent in the control group.
Up to 75 percent of patients who undergo whitening procedures experience sensitivity. As many as 41 percent of dental professionals actually recommend patients discontinue their whitening procedures to alleviate related sensitivity, which can result in dissatisfied patients. To reduce the potential for sensitivity, dental professionals should recommend that whitening patients brush with Sensodyne, two times a day, two weeks prior to and during whitening treatment. Recommending this brushing protocol can help make patients more comfortable and reduce the number of patients who discontinue whitening treatment due to whitening-related sensitivity.
Alexander further states, "The simplicity of recommending Sensodyne as the toothpaste to use in conjunction with tooth whitening provides dental professionals with a new treatment protocol that helps manage whitening-related sensitivity while also increasing patient satisfaction."
