The influence of dental bleaching on patient's quality of life: A multistudy analysis of aesthetic and psychosocial outcomes

J Dent. 2024 Dec:151:105397. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105397. Epub 2024 Oct 6.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the Quality of Life (QoL) of participants treated with dental bleaching using different techniques by administering two questionnaires Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ), as well as the bleaching efficacy and tooth sensitivity (TS).

Materials and methods: Secondary results for nine randomized clinical trials were included, involving 489 participants who underwent bleaching procedures. The questionnaires were applied at baseline and 30-day post-bleaching. Bleaching efficacy (ΔSGU/ΔEab) and TS were also evaluated (VAS/NRS). The effect of bleaching on aesthetic self-perception was evaluated using the Paired t-test. The Kruskal-Wallis test assessed variations by technique. Also, the correlations between questionnaires and outcomes was evaluated (α = 0.05).

Results: After the bleaching treatment, both questionnaire revealed significant differences compared to the baseline, regardless of the factor evaluated (p < 0.05), except for Physical pain in OHIP-14 (p = 0.53). No correlation was found between OHIP-14 and bleaching efficacy (p < 0.008). A significant correlation was found between bleaching efficacy and dental self-confidence, indicating that dental self-confidence increased as the number of SGU (ΔSGU) increased, while social impact (ΔEab) and aesthetic concern (ΔSGU) decreased. Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between TS and OHIP-14 (Physical pain). For PIDAC, both dental self-confidence and psychological impact were correlated with TS in the VAS.

Conclusion: Subjects who underwent dental bleaching treatment improved their self-perception and dental self-confidence. Dental bleaching, besides enhancing the patient's smile, also improves their self-esteem.

Clinical relevance: Dental bleaching, besides improving the patient's smile, also enhances their self-esteem.

Keywords: Extraversion; Personality; Psychological; Psychosocial impact; Tooth bleaching.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dentin Sensitivity* / psychology
  • Esthetics, Dental*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oral Health
  • Quality of Life* / psychology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Self Concept*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tooth Bleaching Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Tooth Bleaching* / methods
  • Tooth Bleaching* / psychology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Tooth Bleaching Agents