A perceção do paciente sobre efetividade, recidiva e efeitos secundários do branqueamento dentário

Abstract

Introduction: Teeth whitening is an aesthetic procedure that is highly sought after by patients due to current aesthetic standards. Many etiological factors can cause tooth color changes and, for most of them, tooth whitening appears as the first treatment option. The durability of the procedure and patient satisfaction are important indicators that deserve to be explored. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate patient satisfaction, occurrence of side effects and recurrence, through a questionnaire applied to patients who underwent whitening procedures at the UCP Dental Clinic. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was written and administered to a sample of 102 eligible patients who had done teeth whitening in the last 10 years, with a response rate of 90% (92 participants). It was disseminated through the Qualtrics platform, to guarantee the anonymity of participants. The results obtained were subsequently analyzed using Microsoft Excel® software. Results: The sample of this study consists mainly of patients aged between 25 and 44 years, predominantly female and single. 60% of patients opted for at-home whitening and brushed their teeth twice a day. 77% reported dental sensitivity, with 68% expressing more satisfaction with the results immediately after the procedure, without complications in 91% of cases. Although 51% did not perceive an impact on their quality of life, many patients reported increased self-esteem, and 85% would repeat the procedure if necessary. Conclusion: Patients demonstrated high satisfaction with the immediate results of teeth whitening, although this satisfaction diminished over time due to side effects, namely dental sensitivity and relapse. However, significant benefits in socialization, self-esteem, and dental aesthetics were highlighted.

Date of Award	17 Jul 2024
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Rute Rio (Supervisor) & Adriana Bona Matos (Co-Supervisor)