Can Internal Bleaching Whiten A Dark Tooth? | BEFORE & BEYOND EP58

Dr Jo Ann Wong explains internal bleaching for a single discoloured tooth, covering causes such as trauma and infection, how dentists diagnose the problem, and the step-by-step process of whitening a tooth from the inside after root canal treatment.

About The Video

In this episode of Before and Beyond, Dr Jo Ann Wong from Dental Designs Clinic discusses internal bleaching, a treatment used to improve the colour of a single darkened tooth. She begins by explaining how dentists assess the cause of discolouration, including trauma, decay or previous root canal treatment.

The video highlights the difference between external stains, which affect the surface of the tooth and are usually easier to treat, and internal discolouration, which occurs within the tooth structure. Dr Jo Ann Wong then walks through the treatment process, starting with diagnosis using X-rays, followed by root canal treatment if infection is present.

She explains how bleaching agents are placed inside the tooth over multiple sessions, gradually restoring its colour before a final permanent filling is placed.

This video focuses on internal tooth discolouration and how it differs from more common external staining. Dr Jo Ann Wong explains that external stains are often linked to lifestyle factors such as coffee, tea or oral hygiene habits, and can usually be managed with cleaning or whitening. Internal discolouration, however, is more complex and often results from trauma or a loss of vitality in the tooth.

She emphasises the importance of proper diagnosis, including taking a detailed history and using X-rays to check for infection, fractures or underlying decay. In the case presented, the tooth had been traumatised years earlier and required root canal treatment before any whitening could begin.

The internal bleaching process involves placing a whitening agent inside the tooth and replacing it over several visits. Over time, this gradually lightens the tooth until it blends with the surrounding teeth, after which a permanent filling is placed to seal it.