Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide (35%) regarding tooth sensitivity and color change in tooth bleaching in comparison to low concentrations (6% to 20%).
Methods and materials: This review was conducted using the criteria of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and is registered on the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42017064493). The PICO question was "Does a concentration of hydrogen peroxide ≥35% using in-office bleaching procedure contribute to greater tooth sensitivity?" A search was made in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library.
Results: Fourteen studies were selected for the qualitative analysis and seven for quantitative analysis. A total of 649 patients were evaluated (mean age: 36.32 years; range: 13.9 to 31 years), and the follow-up period ranged from one week to 12 months. The meta-analysis demonstrated that tooth sensitivity was higher in the patients submitted to treatment involving a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide (0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44 to 1.03; p=0.04; I 2 : 56%), and a significant difference was found regarding objective color ΔE (1.53; 95% CI: 2.99 to 0.08; p<0.0001; I 2 : 82%) but no significant difference was found regarding subjective color ΔSGU (0.24; CI: 0.75 to 1.23; p<0.00001; I 2 : 89%).
Conclusions: This study indicated that a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide causes less tooth sensitivity and better effectiveness in objective color change (ΔE); however, there is no difference between them related to subjective color (ΔSGU).