Last Updated: October 2026
What this case cost
$46/month
144 payments at 9.99% APR, on approved credit.
Total: $3,800 for the internal bleaching and the resin core.
One dark tooth - but you don't want veneers?
A single tooth that has darkened from the inside doesn't always need a veneer or crown. When the discoloration comes from old trauma or a root canal, it can often be treated from within - keeping your natural tooth intact. If one tooth stands out in your smile, send us a photo before you agree to grind it down.
- A call within two hours during office hours.
- A written cost from us, before you commit to anything.
- No obligation. Many patients take weeks to decide. That is normal.
Ask about your case
Reviewed by our treatment coordination team. Call or text (310) 770-3335 if you would rather speak now.
Request received
A treatment coordinator will call you within two hours during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9 to 4).
To talk now, call (310) 770-3335.
Treatment Plan by Dr. Mehdizadeh
- Internal bleaching of tooth #9 through a small access on the back
- Resin core to seal the access
- Whitening of the remaining teeth for uniformity
The Patient's Journey
This patient had one dark front tooth (#9) that had been traumatized years earlier and slowly darkened over time. She wanted a lasting fix - but she did not want veneers, and other providers had told her a restoration was the only way. We offered a more conservative alternative.
The most impressive result is sometimes the one that removes the least tooth. A dramatic change doesn't always need dramatic treatment.
Understanding the Challenge
When a tooth loses its vitality after trauma, blood pigments break down inside it and stain it from within - which is why ordinary surface whitening doesn't touch it. The discoloration is on the inside, so it has to be treated from the inside. The conventional solutions she'd been offered - veneers or a crown - would have meant grinding down a healthy tooth. Internal (non-vital) bleaching treats the stain at its source and preserves the natural tooth.
Initial Findings
A single non-vital, internally discolored upper central from prior trauma; healthy surrounding structure; a patient who wanted to avoid veneers.
The Treatment Sequence
We bleached the tooth internally, placing the bleaching agent inside it through a small opening on the back of the tooth and refreshing it across about five appointments until the shade matched her other teeth. We then sealed the access with a resin core, and finished by whitening the rest of her teeth so the whole smile was bright and uniform. No veneers, no crowns, and the natural tooth kept intact.
The Result
The tooth that used to stand out now blends in - a conservative, tooth-preserving fix that gave her the even smile she wanted without restorations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internal Bleaching
What is internal bleaching?
A procedure that lightens a single darkened tooth from the inside, placing the bleaching agent within the tooth rather than on the surface.
Why did the tooth turn dark in the first place?
After trauma or a root canal, a tooth can lose vitality and stain from within as blood pigments break down - discoloration that surface whitening can't reach.
Why not just do a veneer?
A veneer or crown means removing healthy tooth structure. Internal bleaching treats the discoloration at its source and keeps the natural tooth intact - a more conservative option when it's appropriate.
Does it work on any dark tooth?
It works best for teeth discolored from the inside by trauma or root-canal changes. We confirm the cause first to make sure it's the right approach.
How many visits does it take?
In this case, about five short appointments over roughly four weeks to reach the target shade.
Is the result stable?
Results are generally stable; occasionally a tooth may need a future touch-up, which is simple compared with replacing a restoration.
What is the resin core for?
It seals the small access opening after bleaching and restores the tooth's structure.
What does treatment like this cost?
This case was $3,800, covering the internal bleaching and the resin core. $46/month: 144 payments at 9.99% APR, on approved credit.
Last Updated: October 2026
