What is Internal Bleaching?

Internal bleaching is a technique that is used to whiten the appearance of teeth. Unlike over the counter solutions that are used to whiten teeth, internal bleaching is conducted under the direction of a dentist. Since the treatment requires invasive action, it is important that a professional conduct the tooth bleaching in a controlled environment. The process for an internal bleaching involves the insertion of a chemical oxidizing agent into the tooth. This is accomplished by drilling into the tooth using drills similar to those used for root canals. The agent is left in the tooth for up to two weeks, then replaced with more chemicals until the tooth achieves the level of whiteness desired. Once the series of treatments are complete, the hole is filled, ensuring that foreign matter will not be able to invade the tooth and cause other problems. Not everyone is a candidate for internal bleaching. Dentists evaluate the degree of staining and discoloration that is present. If the ...  more