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

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 par ticipants 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. Addi tionally, 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.