The development of external cervical root resorption following internal bleaching of discoloured pulpless teeth is associated with the use of hydrogen peroxide. The aim of the study was to determine radicular penetration of hydrogen peroxide following intracoronal bleaching with various forms of sodium perborate. 63 extracted human incisors were root filled and stained artificially. Standardized cementum defects were created on the mesial and distal aspects of the root directly below the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ). Using the walking bleach technique all teeth were bleached for a 6-day period, with replacement of the bleaching paste after days 1 and 3. Sodium perborate monohydrate (MH), trihydrate (TRH) or tetrahydrate (TH) was mixed with H2O2 or H2O and subsequently placed intracoronally 1 mm below the labial CEJ. The teeth were divided into six groups: I. MH + H2O2(30%) (n = 12); II. TRH + H2O2(30%) (n = 12); III. TH + H2O2(30%) (n = 12); IV. TH + H2O (n = 12); V. TH + H2O, gel (n = 12); VI. no bleaching paste (n = 3). At baseline and at days 1, 3 and 6 the amount of H2O2 taken up from the surrounding medium of each root was indirectly recorded and calculated as p.p.m. Almost all teeth of the experimental groups showed leakage of hydrogen peroxide compared to those of the control group. The radicular penetration of hydrogen peroxide was significantly higher in teeth of groups I and III than in those of groups IV and V (P < or = 0.001). In conclusion, the amount of hydrogen peroxide leakage depends, among other factors, on the form of sodium perborate used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)