Intracanal Whitening

Helps restore the natural color of tooth enamel of depulped teeth

A tooth that has darkened due to nerve removal or trauma compromises the aesthetics of your entire smile. Regular external whitening cannot help in this case, as the cause of discoloration lies inside the tooth. At the Kiadent dental clinic in Odessa, we perform internal tooth whitening, which allows us to effectively and safely restore the natural color of depulped teeth.

Restore the natural color of a darkened "dead" tooth without veneers or crowns!

What is internal whitening?

Internal whitening is a specialized procedure to lighten a tooth from the inside, performed exclusively on depulped (non-vital) teeth. It is also called intracoronal or endodontic whitening.

The procedure involves placing a specialized whitening gel directly into the tooth cavity. The whitening agent (based on hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate) breaks down, releasing active oxygen that penetrates the dentin tubules and oxidizes deep-seated pigments from within.

Endodontic whitening is used in aesthetic dentistry to lighten teeth that have had their pulp removed and whose color cannot be restored using traditional external methods. The procedure is recommended only if the tooth is structurally sound and does not have significant damage. For optimal results, the treatment can be combined with traditional external whitening.

Tested materials for a safe outcome

At the Kiadent clinic for bespoke prosthodontics, we use the professional whitening gel Opalescence Endo from the American company Ultradent. This product gently acts on the hard tooth tissues without damaging dentin structure. Opalescence systems are recognized leaders in the field of professional chemical tooth whitening.

Why do depulped teeth darken?

In healthy teeth, the pulp chamber is rich in blood vessels that supply nutrients to the dentin. Teeth that have had the pulp removed lack this nourishment, so their enamel gradually becomes dull and changes color.

Other causes of tooth discoloration include:

secondary or hidden cavities (often develop between teeth);
nerve necrosis and periodontitis;
bleeding into the dentin (occurs due to trauma and damaged pulp vessels);
use of low-quality filling materials containing resorcinol-formalin and silver;
oxidation of silver posts inside the tooth.

Systemic causes include:

dental fluorosis;
enamel erosion;
exposure to toxic substances;
hormonal disorders and internal organ pathologies;
the consequences of tetracycline antibiotic use.

Steps of intracoronal whitening

1. Stage. Dental consultation and diagnostics
During the initial visit, a radiographic examination is performed. This allows the dentist to assess the condition of the root canals and rule out any diseases that may have caused the tooth darkening. The dentist also checks for periodontal diseases and other contraindications. If the canals have been poorly sealed, they may need to be retreated first.
2. Stage. Whitening
The session takes about 30 minutes and usually requires no local anesthesia. The dentist performs the following steps:
- Isolates the gum tissues with cotton rolls or a rubber dam;
- Cleans the tooth cavity of old filling material;
- Places an isolating liner of glass ionomer cement over the canal orifices;
- Fills the coronal part of the tooth with Opalescence Endo whitening material;
- Places a temporary filling.
3. Stage. Follow-up visits and final restoration
The patient returns in 5-10 days for a re-evaluation of the results. If further lightening is needed, the dentist replaces the whitening material and places a new temporary filling. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times until the desired result is achieved. Finally, a permanent composite restoration is placed.

What should the patient do during treatment?

It's important to remember that under the temporary filling is a whitening agent that can cause a chemical burn if it comes into contact with the gum tissue. Therefore, during the course of endodontic whitening, it is important to:

Avoid chewing on the treated tooth;
Avoid thermal irritants (hot or cold foods and drinks);
Postpone sports or activities that may cause jaw trauma.

Advantages and disadvantages of the procedure

Advantages

Affordable. This is a relatively inexpensive way to restore tooth whiteness compared to crowns or veneers.
Effective. Endodontic whitening can lighten tooth enamel by 2-3 shades.
Safe. The procedure is performed under a dentist's supervision, is safe, and causes no discomfort.
Long-lasting results. When properly performed with well-sealed canals, recurring discoloration of the enamel is extremely rare.

Disadvantages

Requires multiple visits. The patient will need to visit the dentist several times and follow aftercare instructions for several weeks.
Limited outcome. If discoloration is severe, the tooth may require more than 3-4 sessions.
Possible side effects. Increased tooth sensitivity or irritation of surrounding tissues may occur.

Possible complications and contraindications

After the internal whitening procedure, some temporary side effects may occur:

The whitening agent contacting the gum can cause irritation and mucosal burns. To prevent this, the dentist must apply the material carefully and thoroughly isolate the gum tissue.
Chipping and cracks may appear. The likelihood of these side effects increases with the number of whitening sessions.
Tooth sensitivity — usually subsides within a few days after the procedure.

Side effects can be minimized if the dentist follows the treatment protocol precisely and the patient complies with all recommendations during the course of treatment.

No more than three procedures per course

The whitening course must not exceed 3 sessions. Additional sessions are not recommended and can be harmful, as they increase the risk of tooth damage.

Who is not a good candidate for the procedure?

Intracoronal whitening is contraindicated in:

pulpitis, periodontitis, cysts, or granulomas of the tooth (these must first be treated endodontically to eliminate infection and inflammation in the root canals);
orthodontic appliances in the mouth;
pregnancy and breastfeeding;
patients under 18 years of age;
periodontitis with gum recession;
allergy to hydrogen peroxide and other components of the whitening agent;
severe destruction of the crown part of the tooth (in this case, a crown or veneer is a better option for restoration).

The presence of contraindications and the feasibility of the procedure are determined by the dentist after examination.

Internal whitening cost in Odessa

The cost of lightening a darkened tooth depends on the number of procedures required to achieve the desired result.

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Dental consultation: free of charge with subsequent treatment at our clinic
Temporary light-cured filling placement
Professional intracoronal whitening (cost per 1 procedure without temporary and permanent restorations)
Placement of a permanent filling after the whitening procedure

Alternatives to internal whitening

If whitening the darkened tooth is not feasible, there are alternative ways to restore the aesthetics of your smile:

Crowns. — indicated for severely weakened enamel or structurally compromised crowns. Metal-ceramic or zirconia crowns are recommended for molars, and zirconia or all-ceramic crowns are a better choice for anterior teeth. The restoration will match the color of neighboring teeth.
Veneers. — these are thin ceramic shells bonded to the front surface of anterior teeth. This option is recommended when aesthetic restoration of a group of teeth in the smile zone is required. In addition to color correction, veneers can also address minor defects in alignment (cracks, chips, diastemas, and spacing).

Book a consultation at Kiadent clinic

Don't rush into placing a crown or veneer! Perhaps your tooth can still be saved and its natural color restored with gentle endodontic whitening.

Schedule a consultation at Kiadent clinic in Odessa at: Tiraspolskaya Street, 12. We will conduct a comprehensive examination, evaluate your tooth's condition, and suggest the most suitable treatment plan to help you smile confidently again.