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Teeth Whitening

Are your teeth discolored, yellowed from age, or covered in noticeable stains? Professional teeth whitening can brighten your smile, making it look healthier and more attractive. Our dentists in the greater Lake Charles, LA, area can whiten your teeth and help you experience a more beautiful smile!

What Is Teeth Whitening?

Our everyday diets can result in stains and discoloration. As you age, your teeth may also become yellow. 

Teeth whitening, or teeth bleaching, is the process of applying a bleaching mixture to your teeth to lift stains and lighten the color of each tooth.

Your teeth may have either intrinsic or extrinsic stains, neither of which can be removed simply by brushing your teeth. Extrinsic stains affect your enamel, the outermost layer of your tooth, and can be removed with dental cleanings and whitening products. Intrinsic stains are deeper in your tooth and affect your dentin. These stains may result from trauma or certain medications and will need to be concealed with dental crowns or porcelain veneers.

Professional in-office or take-home teeth whitening with a dentist is especially effective at lifting intrinsic stains. In fact, our dentists can lighten your teeth up to eight shades in one appointment.

Lake Area Dentistry uses Philips Zoom teeth whitening, which is FDA-approved. The affordable, conservative treatment takes about one hour to complete.

Before and after teeth whitening

Are You Ready for a Brighter Smile?

Dr. Jeffery A. Hennigan and the rest of the team have the tools you need to whiten and brighten your smile. If you need additional dentistry procedures to first restore your smile, our dental office can meet those needs as well–all under one roof. We provide you with everything you need for a dental treatment plan to completely restore the health and appearance of your teeth.

We have offices in the Lake Charles, Carlyss, and Moss Bluff, LA, areas. Contact us online to get started or call:

(337) 478-8470

Dr. Hennigan

"An amazing office to work with." Read Our Five-Star Reviews

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Austin Smith

2021

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Lake Area Dentistry has been an amazing office to work with. Their staff is very friendly and Dr. Doucet is the best. I highly recommend Lake Area Dentistry.

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thylor watkins

2021

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Dr. Hennigan and the staff are absolutely amazing. Always making sure I'm comfortable, and no problems answering my questions when I have them. Definitely recommend 100%.

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Carbamide Peroxide and Hydrogen Peroxide The Active Ingredients In Teeth Whitening

When it comes to whitening products, carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are the main bleaching agents. Depending on the intensity of the tooth stains and the sensitivity of your teeth, the levels of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide can be adjusted to achieve your desired results—in total comfort.

Like any other health solution, too much carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide can have negative effects. That's why it's best to receive professional teeth whitening treatments from an experienced practitioner like Dr. Hennigan.

man pointing to whitened teeth

How Does Zoom Teeth Whitening Work?

You can whiten your teeth in-office at any of our greater Lake Charles, LA, locations, conveniently serving Moss Bluff, Carlyss, and surrounding areas. Patients can generally expect these steps:

Our dentists can lighten stained teeth up to eight shades in one appointment.
Our dentists can lighten stained teeth up to eight shades in one appointment.

Visit Us for an Exam

You will first need to undergo a comprehensive exam to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy enough for teeth whitening. If you have cavities, worn-down enamel, or gum disease, we can address those needs in-office before you have any cosmetic work done.

Prepare Your Smile

At your whitening appointment, your gums and lips will first be covered with a protective material to keep them from coming into contact with the bleaching solution. This is just a precaution that will help minimize irritation and sensitivity.

Apply the Whitening Solution

Your dentist will then apply the solution of 25 percent hydrogen peroxide to each tooth and use a blue plasma light to activate it. This plasma light causes the hydrogen peroxide to break down and allows the oxygen to penetrate deep into each tooth to lift stains.

Repeat the Process

Your dentist will leave this solution on your teeth for about 15 minutes, then apply another coat. You will typically need three coats to achieve your desired results.

Administer a Fluoride Treatment

Your dentist will then rinse the whitening solution off of your teeth and apply a fluoride gel to minimize sensitivity.

Maintaining Your Results

You can help keep your teeth white by minimizing certain foods and beverages that cause stains such as coffee, red wine, and tea. You can also consider using a straw or rinsing your mouth with water after meals. Tobacco use can also discolor teeth, so it's advisable that you avoid tobacco products if you want to maintain your results.

With proper dental care, most patients' results can last for up to a year. Many of our patients also choose to use a Zoom at-home touch-up kit to prolong the effects of their in-office whitening treatment. 

Don't Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Kits  Work Just As Well?

Whitening strips and whitening toothpaste are inexpensive, but they are also less effective and predictable.

The bleaching solution used by dental professionals is more concentrated–typically containing 25 percent hydrogen peroxide. Over-the-counter whitening strips and whitening toothpaste only contain about five to ten percent hydrogen peroxide. Because of this difference, in-office treatment can produce significantly better results than over-the-counter whitening strips and whitening toothpaste. Dentists can also use specialized tools to speed up the whitening process.

Our dentists also take proper care for sensitive teeth and gum irritation, two common side effects for patients who use whitening strips and toothpaste from the store.

"Thanks for being extra kind and sweet." Praise For Our Lake Charles Office

1

pam tucker

2022

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I had an excellent visit. I’m so terrified of dentist but not at this office. I truly look forward to going back on December 20th and having 4 teeth pulled. Thank you so much.

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Jesse Vidrine

2024

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Always very professional and fast! Love this dentist office!

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Enhance Your Smile in One Visit At Our Greater Lake Charles Practice

An in-office professional teeth whitening treatment can brighten your smile in just one visit. This is a great option for people who have an upcoming event like a wedding or reunion, but don't have enough time to finish a take-home teeth whitening procedure. 

During your visit, Dr. Hennigan can examine the rest of your teeth and recommend any corrective or cosmetic dentistry treatments that could complement your teeth whitening. If you have sensitive teeth, treatment will be adjusted to maintain your comfort. Request a consultation at our Lake Charles, Carlyss, or Moss Bluff offices today, or call:

(337) 478-8470

What Are My Options?

If you prefer to use a whitening kit instead of scheduling an appointment at one of our greater Lake Charles, LA, area offices for in-office treatment, we have take-home kits available.

Our safe and effective take-home teeth whitening kits consist of trays and gel that are easy to use. Over the course of several applications, our teeth whitening gel will lift the stains and discoloration from your teeth.

This is a more cost-effective bleaching option, but it will take longer to yield results than an in-office treatment. You will also have to be diligent with the whitening process and closely follow the instructions to achieve the best results.

Whitening kit

Financing Is Available  Invest in Your Smile & Confidence

Cosmetic dentistry like teeth whitening is not covered by insurance and treatment with a professional is more expensive than store-bought whitening kits. But consider the benefits. In addition to feeling more confident, in-office treatment can produce dramatically lighter teeth in about an hour. Plus the results can last longer than store-bought kits if you keep up with your oral hygiene routine.

To make our dental treatments more affordable to a wider range of people, we offer financing through CareCredit®. This program allows you to pay in affordable monthly installments.

"Excellent care, as always." 5-Star Reviews of Our Lake Charles Practice

1

Amy Kestel

2021

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Excellent care, as always. Dr. Hennigan and his team are the best. A dental cleaning that doesn’t hurt? CHECK Prompt appointment time to see patient? CHECK Friendly doctor, dental hygienist and office staff? CHECK A doctor that takes time to address your questions? CHECK. I highly recommend Lake Area Dental.

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ellen palmer

2021

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When I started the process of getting my smile back I had anxiety to the 10th power. By the end of the process I no longer needed anxiety meds to get through the treatment. Dr. Price and the staff are the best. I am so thankful for choosing them. Thank you guys for everything.

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Lake Area Dentistry

The dentists at our family-friendly practice use the latest technology and techniques to enhance your care. We are proud to be affiliated with the:

  • American Dental Association
  • Louisiana Dental Association

Set up your first appointment by requesting a consultation or calling our Lake Charles office at (337) 478-8470.

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