The approach of Pakistani dentists and patients toward tooth bleaching procedure

Background: There are several options for removing extrinsic tooth stains, bleaching is the most popular one. The present study aims to provide knowledge about the perception of dentists and patients on the various aspects of the bleaching procedure which include different bleaching methods, their side effects, and financial characteristics. In addition, the study addressed the self-perception of patients' dental esthetic, factors responsible for the recommendation, and usage of different bleaching methods and materials as well as postprocedure satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2022 in different dental institutes and private clinics in Pakistan. Two different, validated questionnaires were used for dentists and patients, respectively, one having 16 questions and the second one with 20 questions. The quantitative and qualitative variables were presented with frequency and percentages. Results: A total of 267 dentists and 250 patients participated in the study. The majority of dentists (74.2%) perceived that the presence of dental fillings influenced their decision in recommending a whitening treatment. Almost half (54%) of patients were satisfied after the whitening treatment at home but reported high teeth and gum sensitivity (67%). Conclusion: Our study suggested that bleaching is a sensitive treatment and most of the patients are unaware of its cautions and correct use; therefore, it should be done in dental clinics only to decrease the side effects of sensitivity.