Expert: Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD - 12/27/2009

Question

I have a discolored front tooth that many dentist have told me can't be fixed with standard bleaching.  They say it is due to trauma though I don't recall ever having had any trauma to my front tooth.  One dentist in particular told me about internal bleaching and that it might be a possibility.  I have read that I would need to get a root canal and in fact have been told by a dentist that my canal was closed up.  Does internal bleaching work?  Is it safe?  Would you recommend it?  How much would this cost plus the cost of the root canal.  I really hate the way crowns and veniers look and would love to keep my original tooth. : )

Thank you for your time.

AG in NYC

Answer
Hi Andrew,

I'm sorry to hear this is going on. You actually have a difficult problem. If your tooth has the canal closed, then it is risky to even try to do a root canal. In addition, the reason your tooth is dark is that there is extra tooth structure for light to pass through and as a result, less light shines through the tooth so it appears darker. Bleaching can't fix that problem...you would need to remove tooth structure internally. That also is risky as it will weaken the tooth.

In your situation, I really think you only have two choices....some restoration, like a crown or a veneer, or accept the way the tooth looks and live with it. Trying to bleach internally will be very expensive, potentially risky, and I doubt you will end up with a result you are looking for...bleaching is a VERY inexact procedure as color control is difficult to do.

Hope this helps.

Gary Backlund DMD, MSD