Will zoom whitening help whiten a tooth that has darkened after a root canal? i know the take-home trays don't, but since this stuff is stronger and uses a light to really get it working, i was hoping it might work? i'm worried about whitening my other te

You : You asked a very good question. And there are a few different ways to answer your question. Many times a tooth requires root canal therapy due to large filling which damage the nerve. Teeth that have had root canal therapy become brittle, and if they have large restorations, it is better to put a crown (cap) on the tooth to help protect it. The color of the porcelain would match your own teeth, so appearance would not be a problem. If, however, the nerve was damaged due to trauma, but the tooth structure is sound and there is no need for a crown, a different approach can be tried. The dark color is coming from the inside, not from the outside. Your dentist can try to bleach the tooth from the inside with a liquid agent called superoxol. This may lighten the color to your satisfaction. The solution will be changed a few times over the course of a few weeks. It's worth a try. Ask your dentist what he/she would advise is best for this particular tooth.

Zoom : Zoom will help, but the best option for a root canal tooth is something called internal bleaching. This process only whitens the root canal tooth and usually takes 3 visits before it is complete. I usually recommend this process before whitening the whole mouth with zoom.

Not usually much: Most often the best lightening of a discolored root canal treated tooth is done by internal bleaching. See your endodontist for the best advice and treatment.

Zoom whitening: Zoom is great for external staining or surface staining. You need internal bleaching or whitening. This is a special procedure that requires opening the back of the tooth and whitening from the inside. The dentist can use zoom gel but ask your dentist for options.