Who may find this relevant?
People with one darker tooth that has already had root canal treatment.
← All explanationsInternal tooth bleaching
Why might one dark tooth be whitened from the inside?
Internal bleaching lightens a tooth from within its crown. It may be considered for certain discoloured teeth that have already had root canal treatment. Examination of the stain and existing root canal treatment determines whether it is appropriate.
For training & practice ↓
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Assess one tooth
The darker colour may originate inside the tooth. Its cause, existing restoration and the condition of the tooth need assessment.
Work inside the crown
A suitable whitening agent is placed inside the crown as part of dental treatment. This is not a do-it-yourself procedure and does not mean filling the entire root canal with bleaching agent.
Review and restore
The colour response and tooth condition are reviewed, and the access is appropriately restored. Responses vary, and the tooth may become darker again later.
At a glance
What is assessed beforehand?
Cause, tooth condition and existing root treatment, with radiographs where indicated.
What matters afterwards?
Review of the colour, restoration and tooth condition.
Knowledge in motion
Explained in 36 seconds.
Three steps. No audio.
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Silent educational film with German on-screen text and simplified teaching images. Not a patient case or a promised treatment outcome. The full English explanation is available below.
Read the film text in English
Assess one tooth
The darker colour may originate inside the tooth. Its cause, existing restoration and the condition of the tooth need assessment.
Work inside the crown
A suitable whitening agent is placed inside the crown as part of dental treatment. This is not a do-it-yourself procedure and does not mean filling the entire root canal with bleaching agent.
Review and restore
The colour response and tooth condition are reviewed, and the access is appropriately restored. Responses vary, and the tooth may become darker again later.
Often confused
Internal or external bleaching?
Internal bleaching works inside the crown of a suitable root-treated tooth. External bleaching is applied to outer tooth surfaces. Different causes of discolouration require different assessment.
Quick answers
Is a healthy tooth root-treated just for this?
This explanation concerns teeth that already have root canal treatment. It does not imply that a root canal should be performed solely to obtain whitening.
Is internal bleaching risk-free?
No. Alongside an insufficient or uneven colour change, rare risks include external cervical resorption: loss of tooth tissue around the neck of the tooth. Risks and suitability need discussion beforehand.
Can I treat a dark single tooth myself?
No. Its cause and root filling need assessment. Have a dark tooth examined; do not introduce agents into a tooth yourself.
At the practice
For a personal discussion
An editorially suggested question for a discussion with Dr med dent Niusha Barahmand Pour:
What caused this tooth to darken, and which risks matter with its existing root canal treatment?
One darker tooth can be examined specifically before deciding on a change.
Have a dark tooth assessedAppointment selection at DoctolibLearning layer for training & practiceUnderstand terminology and deepen knowledge
- Pulp chamber
- The space inside the crown that contains pulp tissue before treatment.
- Root filling
- Material used to seal the prepared root canal system.
- Cervical resorption
- Loss of tooth tissue around the neck of the tooth; a possible rare adverse finding.
Make the distinction
Internal bleaching works inside the crown of a suitable root-treated tooth. External bleaching is applied to outer tooth surfaces. Different causes of discolouration require different assessment.
Sources and context
Editorial research: . General information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Teaching illustrations are simplified and do not depict a patient case.