Having major work on a traumatized tooth, root canals in particular, can cause it to be very difficult to whiten the external surface. Fortunately, cosmetic dentists have now figured out how to bleach the tooth from the inside. There are several steps that go into internal teeth bleaching, so it is important that you know what you are getting into before making a final decision.
Initial X-Rays
The first thing the dentist will need to do is get an initial x-ray to ensure the dental work inside is healthy. For instance, if you are attempting to have internal bleaching on a tooth that has had a root canal, an x-ray needs to be done in order to ensure the canal filling is intact and to make sure the bone around the dental work is strong.
Create Access Cavity
Next, an access cavity will have to be created. This is a very small hole that is made in the back of the tooth. This space will be completely cleaned out, which will help remove some of the stain.
Add a Cervical Seal
A cervical seal uses a special cement that prevents the bleach from getting into the access cavity. This will also create a double seal in the space of the root canal.
Apply Bleach
After the cervical seal, the bleach will need to be applied. This is a putty-like substance that is applied to the access cavity and temporarily sealed. This process will need to occur over several appointments until the desired outcome is achieved.
Final Restoration
Once your desired shade of white has been achieved, you will need a final restoration of the tooth. This is essentially a permanent filling that seals the dentin. This is a required step for the procedure; otherwise, you could end up with a very painful tooth if food and bacteria entered the holes in the tooth. The access cavity is restored with a material similar to that used in regular cavity fillings.
While this whitening option is less invasive than porcelain veneers or dental implants, it does take some level of commitment in order to yield good results. However, if you are going to get veneers or crowns on some of your teeth, you may want to consider internal bleaching for some of your natural teeth that will surround the veneers or crowns so that it all matches. If you are interested in this teeth whitening option, be sure to speak to your dentist to ensure you are a good candidate.
Share14 February 2017
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