The Effect of Internal Bleaching on Tetracycline in Dentin Efecto del Blanqueamiento Interno Sobre Tetraciclina en Dentina

It has been demonstrated clinically and experimentally that tetracycline (TC)-stained teeth are lightened by internal bleaching. The present study was designed to determine whether root canal treatment followed by internal bleaching altered the TC incorporated into dog teeth. TC levels were determined by measuring the intensity of TC fluorescence in the dentin. At 4 or 25 wk after bleaching, the teeth were removed and processed for fluorescence microscopy. When compared with controls, the internal bleaching procedure reduced the amount of fluorescence in the tooth equally at both observation periods. This suggests that TC was either removed from or altered in the mineralized tooth structure.