The objective of this study was to assess penetration of adhesive material in enamel bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide using optical polarized light microscopy. Extracted human teeth were randomly assigned to 5 groups, each representing a specific time interval between bleaching and the application of an adhesive material. They were designated as: (TC) the control group-restorations in unbleached teeth; (T0) comprising restorations carried out immediately after bleaching; (T7) comprising restorations 7 days after bleaching; (T14) comprising restorations 14 days after bleaching; and (T21) comprising restorations 21 days after bleaching. Length of resin tags was measured with an Axiophot photomicroscope at a x 400 magnification, and the results subjected to an ANOVA for a comparison between groups, with a p value of < 0.05. Differences between the groups were verified using a Tukey test at a confidence level of 5%. The specimens in the control group (TC) and experimental groups T7, T14 and T21 showed better penetration of adhesive material into enamel in comparison with experimental group T0. This suggests that a gap of at least 7 days should be left between bleaching enamel with 35% hydrogen peroxide and placing adhesive bonding agents and undertaking resin composite restoration work.