Cosmetic dentistry

Internal bleaching in Lehi

When one tooth turns gray or brown from the inside, regular whitening often cannot reach the stain. Internal bleaching works from inside the tooth to help it blend back in.

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What is internal bleaching?

Internal bleaching lightens a tooth that has darkened from within. Your dentist places a whitening material inside the tooth, through a small opening on the back side. Over time, the stain fades so the tooth looks more like its neighbors.

Made for one tooth that is darker than the rest
Most often chosen after root canal care
The opening is on the back of the tooth, out of sight

When internal bleaching may help

A tooth can darken from the inside for a few reasons. It may be worth asking about if you notice:

Gray or brown color that showed up after a root canal
A tooth that changed color after a hit or fall
A tooth whose nerve has died or is no longer healthy
A flaw in how the tooth formed that causes inner color

Internal bleaching is usually done on teeth that have already had root canal care, since the inside of the tooth needs to be clean and sealed. Your dentist will take x-rays to check the root and the bone around it. If the tooth still has a living nerve, or the root needs care, that comes first. When there is not much healthy tooth left, covering it with a crown or veneer can make more sense than bleaching it.

What to expect

Look before starting. New x-rays show whether the old root canal is still sealed well and whether the bone near the root looks healthy.
Open the tooth. Working from the tongue side of the tooth, your dentist makes a tiny access point. Any old material near the top is cleaned out, and a seal is placed to protect the root.
Place the whitening material. Your dentist puts the bleaching material inside the tooth and closes the opening with a short-term filling.
Check the color. You come back so your dentist can see how much the tooth has lightened. If more change is needed, the material may be placed again.
Seal for good. Once the color looks right, the material is removed and the opening is closed with a tooth-colored filling.

Some teeth lighten after one round. Others need a few visits spread over one to two weeks or so. Your dentist will let you know what to expect for your tooth.

Caring for the treated tooth

While the short-term filling is in place, chew on the other side and avoid sticky or hard foods. Call us if the filling feels loose or falls out. Teeth treated with a root canal tend to be more brittle, so keep ice, pens and hard candy away from this one. Brush and clean between your teeth every day, and keep your regular checkups so your dentist can watch the color and the seal over time.

Cost and insurance

Your cost depends on the care you need and your dental plan. After your exam, we give you an estimate and go over what your insurance is likely to cover before any treatment starts. We work with most major dental plans and accept CareCredit.

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FAQ

Questions about internal bleaching

Why does a tooth turn dark after a root canal?

Old blood or tissue left inside the tooth, or some filling materials, can slowly stain it from within. The color sits deep inside, which is why outside whitening often does not help.

Can regular whitening be done at the same time?

Yes, in some cases. If your other teeth also have stains, your dentist may plan both so the treated tooth and the rest of your smile end up close in color.

Does internal bleaching hurt?

After root canal care there is no live nerve left in the tooth, so the work itself usually causes little feeling. The gums near the tooth may feel tender for a short time.

Will the tooth stay light?

Many teeth hold their new color for years. Some darken a bit over time and may need another round. Good home care and checkups help.

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