Preemptive use of ibuprofen and desensitizer decreases immediate tooth sensitivity after in-office bleaching: A triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: The authors evaluated the synergistic analgesic effect of preemptive administration of 400 mg of ibuprofen (IBU) and potassium fluoride 2% (KF2), both in isolation or combination, on the painful perception of tooth sensitivity after tooth bleaching.

Methods: Fifteen patients participated in this triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The study used a crossover design for drug administration and a split-mouth design for desensitizer agent. Four paired groups were formed: IBU plus KF2 (IBU + KF2); IBU (IBU + placebo KF); KF2 (placebo IBU + KF2), and placebo (placebo IBU + placebo KF). The outcome measure was the perception of tooth sensitivity, assessed using a visual analog scale. Data were collected at 4 different times: immediately after tooth bleaching (baseline) and after 6, 30, and 54 hours. Statistical analysis was performed using the Friedman test and relative risk.

Results: IBU plus KF2 was found to be more effective in reducing tooth sensitivity immediately after bleaching (baseline) compared with the placebo group (P < .05). The risk of experiencing moderate or severe tooth sensitivity was approximately 4 times higher in the placebo group than in the IBU plus KF2 group (relative risk, 4.00; 95% CI, 1.01 to 15.81; P = .025).

Conclusions: The combined use of 400 mg of IBU and KF2 appears to be beneficial in managing postbleaching tooth sensitivity. It provides a superior analgesic effect compared with placebo.

Practical Implications: The preemptive administration of IBU plus KF2 reduces tooth sensitivity after tooth whitening when compared with placebo. This clinical trial was registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry Platform. The registration number is U1111-1249-8191.