Efficacy of foam liner in 10% carbamide peroxide bleaching technique

The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of a foam liner in a tray during the nightguard vital bleaching technique would cause a difference in the rate of bleaching or the final shade of the bleached teeth. Ten subjects were selected who had previously successfully bleache d their maxillary arch by using a 10% carbamide peroxide solution. Vacuum-formed guards were fabricated for the mandibular arch so that one quadrant was covered with a conventional-style guard, and the other quadrant was covered with a foam-lined guard. All patients were successful in bleaching their mandibular arch. No patient reported any difference between the two quadrants in the rate of bleaching or in the final shade, nor was any difference apparent to the operators clinically or in photographic evaluation. It appears that the addition of a foam insert does not noticeably alter the clinical result of home bleaching. If bleaching is successful in one arch, it can be epxected to be effective in the other arch.