Are you craving a smile refresh but don’t need a full smile makeover or a permanent change like veneers? Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that’s relatively simple and inexpensive, but nevertheless delivers fantastic results, fast. You’ll look younger and more polished. You’ll discover newfound confidence that infiltrates every aspect of your life.
At Davenport Dental Group, we utilize the highly effective Lumibrite and Philips Zoom teeth whitening products. Whether you choose the in-office or take-home option, you will end up with a brighter smile that will rejuvenate your whole look.
Book an appointment today at whichever one of our Laredo, TX dental offices is most convenient for you: Junction Drive at 956-242-6745 or Winfield at 956-517-2695.
Daily Life Darkens Teeth
Not all teeth are the same. Discoloration aside, it’s normal for enamel color to vary from person to person. That said, many of our daily habits and behaviors are reflected in the shade of our teeth.
There are actually two primary types of tooth discoloration. Extrinsic is the most common, and refers to staining of just the enamel layer of the teeth. Because extrinsic staining does no go very deep, it is the easiest type to remove. Intrinsic stains affect the inner structure, or dentin, of the tooth. These stains tend to be far more stubborn and may require a treatment such as tooth bonding, a veneer, or a crown.
Causes of extrinsic tooth stains include:
- Smoking and other tobacco products.
- Drinking coffee, tea, soda, and other dark beverages.
- Eating deeply pigmented foods like cherries, blackberries, or beets.
- Consuming alcohol. Even light-colored alcoholic libations like white wine make your teeth more likely to stain due to the effect the acid has on your tooth enamel.
- Accumulated plaque and tartar.
Causes of intrinsic stains include:
- Exposure to certain antibiotics in utero or as a small child.
- Trauma to the tooth.
- Overexposure to fluoride at a young age.
- A congenital condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta.
As we age, our teeth tend to become darker due to a combination of the above factors. With professional teeth whitening, we can reverse the process and take years off your appearance.
Drugstore Products Don’t Deliver
Your local drug store and supermarket shelves are filled with products, from toothpastes to strips to gels, that promise to give you brilliant white teeth without visiting the dentist. Unfortunately, these products just can’t live up to their claims.
Many over-the-counter teeth-whitening kits work in a similar way as professional systems, using gel-filled trays that you keep in your mouth for a specified amount of time each day. But what the packaging won’t tell you is that they contain a much lower concentration of active ingredient. Plus, the trays are not custom-fit to your mouth, so the gel won’t cover your teeth as evenly and may even leak onto your sensitive gums.
Immediate Results with In-Office Whitening
Maybe you have a last-minute date or big engagement and want to look your best. Or perhaps you’re just the impatient type. If you want fast results, our in-office whitening treatment is the option that makes sense for you. First we will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums to make sure it is healthy and clean enough to proceed with treatment. We will then prepare you by carefully protecting your gums and other soft tissues. Once your mouth is ready, we will apply the powerful zoom whitening gel to your teeth and activate it with our special laser. We will repeat the process three more times over the course of about an hour. By the time you leave our dental office that day, your teeth will be dramatically brighter — up to eight shades lighter.
Controlled Results with Take-Home Whitening
If you have a little more time to get the results you want — or just want more control over your treatment — our take-home whitening system combines the strength of a professional product with the convenience of whitening your teeth at home. We will craft custom whitening trays made from impressions of your teeth — meaning they fit your mouth perfectly and provide even coverage. You will bring them home along with whitening gel to use for a specified amount of time each day. Your whiter smile will emerge in one or two weeks. Once you see the shade you like, you stop using the product. Take-home whitening is also an excellent way to maintain results after an in-office treatment.
To book your teeth whitening appointment at Davenport Dental Group, fill out our online form or call one of our two Laredo, TX dental offices (Junction Drive at956-242-6745 or Winfield at 956-517-2695).