Effect of At-Home Bleaching on Oxygen Saturation Levels in the Dental Pulp of Maxillary Central Incisors

Abstract

The present study assessed oxygen saturation (SaO₂) levels before, during, and after at-home bleaching treatment in the pulps of healthy maxillary central incisors. SaO₂ levels were measured in 136 healthy maxillary central incisors using a pulse oximeter. The bleaching protocol consisted of 10% carbamide peroxide gel placed in individual trays and used for four hours daily for 14 days. SaO₂ levels were assessed before bleaching (T0), immediately after the first session (T1), on the 7th day of treatment (T2), on the 15th day (the day following the last session) (T3), and 30 days after completion of the bleaching protocol (T4). Data were statistically analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE), Student’s t test (p<0.05) and Pearson’s correlation. Mean pulp SaO₂ levels were 85.1% at T0, 84.9% at T1, 84.7% at T2, 84.3% at T3, and 85.0% at T4. Gradual reductions in SaO₂ levels were observed, with significant differences (p<0.001) during the course of home bleaching treatment. However, 30 days after the end of the bleaching protocol, SaO₂ levels returned to baseline levels. Home bleaching caused a reversible transient decrease in SaO₂ levels in the pulps.

Key Words:
oxygen saturation; pulp vitality; sensibility test; dental whitening; dental pulp