Why Do You Need a Root Canal Before Internal Bleaching?
Regular teeth whitening treatments work on the outside of the teeth. If you have a tooth that has internal discolouration or staining, then standard whitening isn't likely to make any difference to it. The inside of the tooth can't whiten because the treatment doesn't reach it.
Your dentist may have mentioned that you could have the tooth bleached internally. However, to do this, you need a root canal done on the tooth. Why do you need a root canal first, and what happens after this is done?
Why Is a Pre-Bleaching Root Canal Essential?
If a damaged tooth hasn't been root treated then it still contains its original internal tissues. These may not be in a great state. They may be part of the reason the tooth is discoloured. Your dentist will want to take this tissue out before they bleach the inside of the tooth. Taking this stuff out won't clean up the tooth in itself but will put it in a healthier state.
However, the main reason dentists recommend root canals at this stage is to minimise the effects that internal bleaches could have on delicate areas inside the tooth. These chemicals are harsh; they could harm healthier tissue, blood vessels and nerves deep inside the tooth if they come into contact with them.
During the root canal work, your dentist clears out dead tissue, cleans the tooth and then seals the area at the very top of the tooth. This seal is important -- it prevents the bleaching chemicals from going into areas where they could do some damage.
What Happens After the Root Canal?
Once your dentist has sealed the root canal, they can work on the internal whitening. Like external whitening, this bleaching process might take more than one session. While you're likely to see an improvement after one treatment, you may need more to get the optimum level of whiteness.
Your dentist fills the tooth with the bleaching agent and then puts a temporary filling over the access hole to seal the bleach inside. While it is inside, the whitener interacts with internal stains and dissolves them. This removes staining and discolouration.
At your next appointment, your dentist removes the bleach. If the tooth needs further treatment, they'll put in more whitener and temporarily seal it in again. If the tooth is white enough, they'll seal it up permanently.
To learn more about internal bleaching and the effects it might have on your tooth, talk to your dentist. You can also contact clinics like Central Dental Centre for more information.
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