The Effects of Home Bleaching and Laser Bleaching on Tooth Color Change: A Comprehensive Review

Background: This review article aimed to evaluate and compare the color change outcomes of two tooth whitening methods, namely, home bleaching and laser bleaching, and to also assess their efficacy and safety.Methods and Materials: A comprehensive search was conducted across reputable scientific databases including, PubMed, Scopus, ISI and Google Scholar using keywords related to "teeth bleaching", "home bleaching", "laser bleaching" and "tooth color change". The inclusion criteria consisted of in vivo and in vitro studies, published from January 2013- July 2024 in English. The full texts of the eligible articles were retrieved and evaluated. Data extraction was completed and data was analyzed according to the type of employed bleaching method, year of publication, and study outcomes.Results: From 55 identified articles, 9 were qualified for full review. The findings highlighted that both home bleaching and laser bleaching are effective in improving tooth color. Home bleaching using 20% carbamide peroxide resulted in more significant color changes and provided more stable and safer outcomes compared to laser bleaching. Although laser bleaching using diode lasers and Er, Cr:YSGG lasers also showed positive results, the overall degree of color change was generally less than that of home bleaching. Additionally, studies indicated that home bleaching is associated with less damage to tooth enamel.Conclusion: Home bleaching with 20% carbamide peroxide is identified as the best option for teeth whitening, as it offers more stable results and greater color change. However, further studies are needed to improve laser bleaching techniques and reduce their potential adverse effects. Therefore, additional research with larger sample sizes and real clinical conditions is recommended to better evaluate the efficacy and durability of bleaching methods, assess their long-term impact on tooth and enamel health, and develop optimized laser bleaching techniques aimed at minimizing damage and enhancing efficiency.