Internal whitening restores the colour of a darkened tooth whose nerve has been removed: the whitening agent is placed in the crown of the tooth itself and stays there for 3 to 7 days. It is carried out by the dentist in the clinic and the procedure is completely painless.
Why does a tooth with the nerve removed change colour?
Devitalised teeth change colour over time. This is because of the removal of the nerve and because of some ingredients in the pastes used to fill the root canals, which stain the enamel pink or grey.
How does internal whitening work?
- Part of the filling that was used to finish the tooth after the nerve was removed is taken out of the discoloured tooth. Because this type of whitening is mostly done on the front teeth (incisors and canines), the filling is usually removed from the side of the tongue or the palate.
- The dentist goes down to the beginning of the root canal so that the paste filling the canal can be seen.
- A thin layer of a special cement (glass ionomer cement) is placed over the exposed root canal paste, which stops the bleaching agent from reaching the root.
- The bleaching gel – highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide – is placed in the crown of the tooth. A temporary filling is placed over it straight away.
- Sealed in this way, the tooth is left for 3 to 7 days, and the patient can see the colour improve for themselves.
- When the desired colour is reached, the gel is removed in the clinic. The tooth is not filled straight away: the final filling – a base of the same colour and photopolymer – is placed up to 7 days later, depending on the colour.
If it is done effectively and precisely and the patient maintains the necessary oral hygiene, this type of whitening can have a permanent effect.
What if the effect is not enough?
With very discoloured teeth, a good enough effect is not always achieved with the first gel, so it has to be replaced.
In many cases this type of whitening is combined with external bleaching. If the desired effect is not achieved, veneers or porcelain crowns are made.
How much does it cost?
Internal whitening after root canal treatment (filling not included) costs 90 €. All prices are in the price list.
Frequently asked questions
Which teeth is internal whitening for?
Teeth whose nerve has been removed. Such teeth change colour over time.
Is the procedure painful?
No. The procedure is completely painless and is carried out by the dentist in the clinic.
How long does the whitening agent stay in the tooth?
The tooth is left sealed for 3 to 7 days, and the patient can see the colour improve for themselves.
What if the effect is not enough?
With very discoloured teeth the whitening gel is sometimes replaced. This type of whitening is often combined with external bleaching, and if the desired effect is not achieved, veneers or porcelain crowns are made.