Teeth Whitening
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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.
The Benefits Of Professional Teeth Whitening
Custom Trays
If you choose to use our take-home whitening kit, your trays are personalized to fit your teeth for a more comfortable and effective treatment. Over-the-counter whitening trays are one-size-fits-all, so the bleaching agent can leak and cause irritation.
Professional Guidance
Although teeth whitening is generally a safe treatment, it can have adverse side effects if the wrong dose is used, or if you are allergic to the active ingredient. Dentists can determine the right amount of bleaching agent and test for allergies before administering treatment.
Continuity of Care
No matter how good your dental hygiene habits are, your teeth will naturally discolor over time. After completing your professional teeth whitening treatment, our dentist can schedule another teeth whitening appointment in six months to maintain the dental appearance you want.
Dramatic Results
Unlike over-the-counter whitening strips or whitening toothpaste can take weeks or months before they noticeably brighten your teeth, if they work at all. But in-office teeth whitening treatments can lighten teeth in one visit.
Are You Ready for a Brighter Smile?
Our team at Lake Area Dentistry has 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:
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.
How Does Zoom Teeth Whitening Work?
Our dentists can lighten stained teeth up to eight shades in one appointment.
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.
Why Would I Need a Whitening Treatment?
Restorations
If you need restorative dentistry like a crown or a bridge, you can whiten your natural teeth first, which will result in an overall whiter smile once your restorations are in place.
Orthodontics
If you’ve just had braces removed, your teeth may have stains or white spots. A whitening treatment can help make the surface of your teeth all the same shade again.
Brighter Smile
If you have stained, yellowed, or discolored teeth, you may hide your smile. A whiter smile can restore your confidence and even make you look healthier and younger.
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.
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, Our Team 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:
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.
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
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I absolutely loved my dental hygienist! She was so friendly and professional yet personable! And I loved Dr. Hennigan! He’s very nice and provides great detail and the front office... Read More
Shanyetta Hypolite
Great staff ! Very welcoming, professional and knowledgeable. Top of the line work. They cater to your every need and make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. I’ve had a... Read More
Troy Tyson
Staff was so nice very helpful doctor very informative and helpful as well wait time 10minutes at the most I had tooth issue got me in and out same day... Read More
Trenise HONORE
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Awesome visit. Employees are nice and always work with you.
Billy Ozenne
Dr Price and Lisa are the Best! Love lake area dentistry!
Anna Marcantel
Every one nice and informative 👍
Robert Elfert
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Love everyone at this practice—we have been patients for years. They never rush through an appointment, every question gets answered and they always make us feel like family.
Roxanne Morgan
Always professional and caring. They take very good care of my needs.
Pamela Honeycutt
Lake Area Dentistry is a wonderful place to receive dental services. I have been a patient for over 30 years. They are always prompt and professional. They understand dental... Read More
Vi Kohrs
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Professional. Made me comfortable before and during procedure. Checking in and out is always quick. Dr. Henaghan and Dr. Doucet and his team are wonderful! The dental hygienists... Read More
Christine Broussard Doucet
Great staff. Very friendly and professional. Great experience.
kevin fontenot
Our experience here has always been pleasant. A very friendly and professional staff.
Sam Battaglia
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Had my teeth cleaned today. Excellent job.
Willyne Kestel
Great experience for a dentist office they are very gentle ans explain everything along the way ❤️
Cynthia Harville
Carmen is awesome! Had the pleasure of seeing Dr Price and I was equally impressed.
Novella Franklin
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As much as I dislike going to the dentist, it is always an easy task at Lake Area Denistry!! Thankful for their kindness and understanding for those of us who... Read More
Tracey Rust
On schedule. Everything good.
mel cole
Quick and friendly
Rod Lauderdale
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Great place great ppl great work
Brandon Fontenot
The lady that answers the phone is amazing!!! The one who signs you in is always helpful!! The lady that does the insurance is very helpful and understanding!!! All the... Read More
Carlotta Savoie
All Good!
Terry Boudreaux
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Great experience. Thorough cleaning by Ashley. Will be back
Grant Price
Great patient care and concern! Time efficient, too!
Patti McIver
Office visit was excellent .. Dental Hygienist was friendly and very thorough.. Thanks
P THIGPEN
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12 out of 10. Highly recommend!
Anthony Richard
The staff and doctors were fantastic as always! Thanks you!
perchjerker chris
I'm not a patient here (yet?), but the receptionist that picked up the phone and spoke to me was so kind and helpful and gave me genuine and excellent advice... Read More
Nico V
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Best Denist Office! Professional yet kind and courteous. Includes (All the staff).
Chris Collins Gonsoulin
10/2024 update I can not express how much I love LAKE AREA DENTISTRY ......from before you walk in till after you leave they communicate everything with you and when you... Read More
stacey clement
Went in today to get assessments on work I needed done and to set up and plan to get everything taken care! I suffer from severe generalized anxiety and the... Read More
Jacob Self
