Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol 128, Issue Suppl, 51S-55S
Copyright © 1997 by American Dental Association
Internal bleaching: long-term outcomes and complications
S Friedman
Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Internal bleaching with a 30 percent hydrogen peroxide solution is aesthetically very successful in the short term; however, in the long term, the success rate falls below 50 percent. This procedure is associated with a risk of external root resorption, documented both clinically and experimentally. The etiology of resorption and the effects of 30 percent hydrogen peroxide on dental tissues suggest that this chemical should be avoided. Internal bleaching is possible using sodium perborate mixed with water. The aesthetic outcome is still acceptable and the potential for resorption may be minimized.