When a tooth has had a root canal, it often becomes darker than the teeth around it. This is especially a concern with front teeth that are not crowned or capped after the root canal.
Josh Bernstein, DDS
In the past, an "internal bleach" or "walking bleach" procedure was done using 35% hydrogen peroxide with sodium perborate sealed in the tooth for about a week. The problem with this technique is that it doesn't work very well.
There is a new technique that works much better but not too many dentists know about it. First, we make a bleaching tray, exactly the same as the bleaching tray we would use to bleach all the teeth. Then we make an opening in the back of the tooth, just like the opening that was made to do the root canal. We place a tiny filling over the sealed root canal below the level of the gumline. We then leave the tooth access opened so that the bleach can bathe the tooth inside and out for a week as the patient uses home bleaching gel in the bleaching tray.
This technique whitens the root canal treated tooth very effectively. Once the tooth is as white as desired, a simple filling is placed back over the access opening.
If you have a front tooth that has become dark after a root canal, please call our office at 510-601-7645 to schedule a consult to see about whitening your tooth with this new technique.
Josh Bernstein, DDS
Founder and President, Dental Comfort Academy
http://www.allnewsmiles.com
http://www.sanfranciscosedationdentist.com
http://www.comfortacademy.org
