At-home bleaching versus whitening toothpastes for treatment of tooth discoloration: a cost-effectiveness analysis

• Published in: Journal of applied oral science Vol. 32; p. e20230336
• Main Authors: Santos, Mariana Evangelista, Silva, Rênnis Oliveira da, Cavalcanti, Yuri Wanderley, Meireles, Sônia Saeger
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Faculdade De Odontologia De Bauru - USP 01-01-2024; University of São Paulo
• Subjects: Carbamide peroxide; Cost-benefit analysis; Dentifrices; DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE; Tooth bleaching; Toothpastes; Cost-benefit analysis; Tooth bleaching; Toothpastes; Dentifrices; Carbamide peroxide
• ISSN: 1678-7757; 1678-7765; 1678-7765
• DOI: 10.1590/1678-7757-2023-0336

This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of whitening toothpastes and at-home bleaching for the treatment of tooth discoloration.
A cost-effectiveness economic analysis was conducted, and eight randomized clinical trials were selected based on the whitening agent product used: blue covarine dentifrices (BCD), hydrogen peroxide dentifrices (HPD), dentifrices without bleaching agents (CD, negative control), and 10% carbamide peroxide (CP10, positive control) for at-home bleaching. The consumer/patient perspective was adopted, macro-costing techniques were used and a decision tree model was performed considering the costs in the American and Brazilian markets. The color change evaluation (ΔE*ab) was used to calculate the effectiveness of tooth bleaching. A probabilistic analysis was performed using a Monte Carlo simulation and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were obtained.
CP10 resulted in the highest cost-effectiveness compared to the use of dentifrices in both markets. In Brazil, HPD was more cost-effective than BCD and CD. In the US, the increased costs of HPD and BCD did not generate any whitening benefit compared to CD.
CP10 was more cost-effective than BCD and HPD for tooth bleaching from the perspectives of the Brazilian and American markets. Decision-making should consider the use of CP10 for treating tooth discoloration.