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What Is Internal Tooth Bleaching?
Bleaching a tooth internally is a cosmetic dental procedure that can whiten teeth that have darkened from the inside. In this case, trying to whiten the tooth externally would not change its colour.
We typically perform this treatment on nonvital teeth. These are teeth that have received root canal therapy. Root canal therapy is a procedure that removes the innermost parts of the tooth called the dental pulp, and occasionally can lead to the tooth darkening later.
Other Reasons Why Teeth Can Discolour Internally
There are various reasons why a tooth may discolor internally, which include:
- Trauma, where the blood vessels in the dental pulp may have become damaged, leading to internal bleeding inside the tooth.
- Old dental restorations in a tooth that have discolored.
- Medication-related tooth discoloration can occur if teeth are exposed to certain antibiotics or other medicines.
- If the dental pulp has died, it becomes necrotic, which can cause internal discolouration.
Who Is a Candidate for Internal Tooth Bleaching?
When someone visits the NYC Dentistry Center for tooth whitening, we carefully assess their dental health to ensure they are a suitable candidate. We may recommend internal tooth whitening after a root canal treatment, particularly when a root-treated tooth will not respond to external tooth whitening treatments.
This treatment is ideal for individuals who wish to achieve a brighter, whiter smile without covering their teeth with crowns or veneers. For example, a tooth might be discolored but is otherwise a nice shape and size and doesn’t need to be hidden underneath a crown or veneer.
Internally bleaching a tooth can provide a more conservative approach than placing a veneer or crown.
Benefits of Internal Tooth Bleaching
Benefits of choosing this approach include:
- Internal tooth bleaching is minimally invasive and quick.
- Treatment is cost-effective, compared to veneers or crowns.
- It preserves the natural tooth structure, as no significant tooth modification will be required.
- Treatment can be used in conjunction with external teeth whitening, like Zoom whitening, to remove surface stains from other teeth.
The Internal Tooth Bleaching Procedure
Treatment is very straightforward and begins with a dental exam and X-ray of the affected tooth. This allows us to assess the cause of the internal staining and its extent.
The next stage depends on whether you need root canal therapy to remove diseased or damaged pulp. If so, the root canal is performed, and then a special whitening paste is used inside the tooth to remove the stains.
When a tooth has already received root canal therapy or does not require this treatment, we can create a small opening in the back of the tooth to visualize the stain and use a special bleach to remove it. It can take several days for the whitening paste to take full effect. Afterward, the hole is invisibly filled so your tooth is fully sealed.
Once your treatment is complete, we will continue to monitor the results during every subsequent dental checkup.
FAQs
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How Long Will the Results Last?
If the tooth discoloration was due to a root canal, internal teeth whitening can last a long time or even be permanent. However, if the tooth becomes reinfected, then discoloration could recur.
It’s also important to remember that internal teeth bleaching only whitens the tooth from the inside. The outside of the tooth is still susceptible to discoloration, especially if you have lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking coffee, tea, or red wine, or eating a lot of highly colored foods that can cause more rapid staining.
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Is Tooth Bleaching Safe?
Yes, we assess your suitability for treatment carefully before recommending this procedure. Our skilled dentist uses high-quality, professional-strength products that are both safe and effective.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th Street, 8th Floor, Suite 2
New York, NY 10017
(212) 810-9264