Illuminating Smiles: Comparative Clinical Outcomes of Vital and Non-Vital Tooth Bleaching — A Dual Case Report
Abstract
ABSTRACTBackground: Tooth discoloration, whether vital or post-endodontic, presents a major esthetic concern. Bleaching remains a conservative and biologically safe alternative when performed under controlled conditions.
Case Presentation: Two bleaching cases were managed under magnification. Case 1 involved in-office vital bleaching using 35% carbamide peroxide on anterior teeth. Case 2 involved non-vital bleaching of a root canal–treated maxillary central incisor using sodium perborate with 5% hydrogen peroxide, following a Lenhard–Serrano-based cervical barrier design to minimize peroxide diffusion and prevent external cervical resorption (ECR). Both cases showed stable 3-month results with no relapse or complications.
Conclusion: Meticulous isolation, controlled peroxide concentration, and correctly positioned cervical barriers ensure predictable esthetic and biological outcomes in vital and non-vital bleaching.
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