Cosmetic Dentistry

Bonding is an alternative to veneers, and can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored or misarranged.

How does it work?

The tooth is prepared for the procedure by lightly etching the surface and applying a bonding liquid. Once the liquid sets, a plastic resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by the dentist. Once set, the resin is trimmed, smoothed and polished to a natural appearance.

Considerations

The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit, and can improve the appearance of a tooth significantly. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip or break than natural teeth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before need of repair.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility.

Placing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail. We place veneers routinely, and design each case individually to match and enhance the characteristics of each patients smile.

Will they look like normal Teeth?

When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options.

How durable are Porcelain Veneers?

With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade.

Dr. Ponce and Tender Dental & Family Dentists will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.

Refraining from using your veneers as tools to open and cut things will prolong their life, and if accidental breakage or damage occurs, it is usually possible to replace only the veneer involved.

When more than half of the tooths biting surface is damaged a dentist will often use an inlay or onlay.

What are inlays and onlays?

Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay, which is similar to a filling, is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.

Traditionally, gold has been the material of choice for inlays and onlays. In recent years, however, porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color, which can potentially match the natural color of your teeth.

How are inlays and onlays applied?

Inlays and onlays require two appointments to complete the procedure. During the first visit, the filling being replaced or the damaged or decaying area of the tooth is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the inlay or onlay. To ensure proper fit and bite, an impression of the tooth is made by the dentist, and sent to a lab for fabrication. The dentist will then apply a temporary sealant on the tooth and schedule the next appointment.

At the second appointment, the temporary sealant is removed. Dr. Ponce and Tender Dental & Family Dentists will then make sure that the inlay or onlay fits correctly. If the fit is satisfactory, the inlay or onlay will be bonded to the tooth with a strong resin and polished to a smooth finish.

Considerations for inlays and onlays

Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50 percent. As an alternative, inlays and onlays, which are bonded directly onto the tooth using special high-strength resins, can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75 percent. As a result, they can last from 10 to 30 years. In some cases, where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire crown, onlays can provide a very good alternative.

Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they’ve been dreaming of with our simple bleaching procedure.

What are the details of teeth whitening?

Its safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to whiten your teeth. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much you show when you talk and smile.

In only a day or two your custom bleach splints will be ready for you to pick up. We provide you with a special bleaching agent that you put into the clear splints. With only a few hours of wear per day, our special bleaching agent bubbles stains right out of your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth structure or existing dental work in any way. When your teeth reach the desired brightness, only occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new smile. Well want to take after photos at your next appointment.

Dental bleaching can be used to correct tooth discoloration. Discolorations can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in bleaching technology, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautiful brilliant smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be the only choice, but because of the low cost of bleaching treatments, bleaching is nearly always worth a solid try.

How is teeth whitening done?

An impression is taken to make a specialized mouthguard or stent to hold the bleach against the teeth. The material is used each night for about 3-4 hours for a week or two, and at the end of this time, significant whitening will occur. In some cases, the change is nothing short of brilliant. For confidence in appearance, bleaching technology allows us to promise improvements in yellowing, aging or stained teeth. For very severely stained teeth, crowns or porcelain veneers may be more appropriate.

Considerations for Teeth Whitening

Over-the-counter bleaching agents are available for purchase at drug stores and pharmacies. However, since these products can cause harm to the gums and teeth, its better to use products that our practice recommends.

If you prefer teeth that are immediately whiter right now or you would rather whiten your teeth over a few nights while you sleep, Dr. Ponce and Tender Dental & Family Dentists has your answer with Zoom! The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System uses proprietary technology to whiten your teeth an average of eight shades* in a little over an hour while you relax at your dentists office. Its ideal for anyone who wants immediate results. The Zoom! Take-Home Whitening System uses a revolutionary patent-pending gel to whiten your teeth an average of six shades in three nights*. And you may go even lighter with additional applications. Start on Friday and by Monday youll have a whole new smile.

Strips or paint-on gels are a waste of time. Get your teeth whiter in a fraction of the time with Zoom.

What is Zoom! tooth whitening?

Zoom! is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin.

What can cause tooth discoloration?

There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea or tobacco. During tooth formation consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.

Who may benefit from tooth whitening?

Just about anyone can benefit from tooth whitening. However, treatment may not be as effective for some as it is for others. With an oral exam, Dr. Ponce and Tender Dental & Family Dentists can determine if you are a candidate for this procedure, including a shade assessment.

Is tooth whitening becoming more popular?

Absolutely! A bright, beautiful smile can make a big difference. The Zoom! Whitening System makes it easier and faster than ever before.

Is tooth whitening safe?

Yes, research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. In fact, many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. As with any tooth whitening product, Zoom! is not recommended for children under 13 years of age and pregnant or lactating women.

Do the results last a long time?

By following some simple post whitening care instructions, your teeth will always be lighter than they were before. We recommend flossing, brushing twice daily with Zoom! Whitening Toothpaste, and touch-ups with Zoom! take-home gel. These are professional formula products designed specifically to keep your teeth their brightest. They are available through our office.

Is there any difference between over-the-counter tooth whiteners and Zoom!
Yes! Consulting Dr. Ponce and Tender Dental & Family Dentists is always the first step to whitening your teeth safely. Over-the-counter tooth whitening strips, brush-on gels and toothpastes take weeks or months to whiten your teeth just a few shades. Zoom! is clinically proven to whiten your teeth eight shades* in one hour or six shades* in just one weekend.

How does the Zoom! In-Office System work?

The Zoom! light-activated whitening gel’s active ingredient is Hydrogen Peroxide. As Hydrogen Peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching any colored substance while keeping the structure of the tooth unchanged. The Zoom! light aids in activating the Hydrogen Peroxide and helps it penetrate the surface of the tooth.

Is the Zoom! In-office procedure painful?

No. During the procedure, patients can actually watch television or listen to music. Many fall asleep.

Are there any side effects?

Some people experience temporary increased tooth sensitivity to cold during treatment. These symptoms disappear within 1-3 days after interruption or completion of the treatment.

How long is the procedure?

The entire procedure takes just over one hour. The procedure begins with a preparation period followed by one hour of bleaching. A five-minute fluoride treatment completes the procedure (we recommend a cleaning prior to the actual Zoom! Whitening session).

How long does Zoom! Take-Home Whitening take?

The Zoom! take-home gel is designed to be worn between four and eight hours per application. Dr. Ponce and Tender Dental & Family Dentists will advise you on how long you should wear each application. A recent study showed that you can achieve an average improvement of six shades* after just three nights of use. Dr. Ponce and Tender Dental & Family Dentists will help you determine how many applications are right for you.

How is the Zoom! Take-Home System different from the Zoom! In-Office System?

The main difference between the two systems is that you use the Zoom! Take-Home System in the convenience of your own home over a few nights. The Zoom! In-Office System is performed entirely in the office.

LaserSmile is the most advanced in-office accelerated tooth whitening system available today. It creates a more aesthetic appearance by reversing discoloration of tooth enamel. LaserSmile combines an activation gel with the laser’s unique characteristics. The primary ingredient in the LaserSmile gel has been used in teeth whitening for over 100 years. This proven system will give you a more noticeable whiter smile.

The procedure is quick and easy. In just one visit to our office you can sit back, relax and in 60 minutes you will leave with the brightest smile you have ever had.

Fast, Safe and Effective! LaserSmile

The Invisalign way to straighten your teeth without braces. To discuss invisalign in the Las Vegas NV area, please feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment.

For more information on Invisalign, please visit www.invisalign.com.

• Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.
• The aligners are made through a combination of Dr. Ponce and Tender Dental & Family Dentists’s expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology.
• You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
• As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Ponce and Tender Dental & Family Dentists has prescribed.
• You’ll visit Dr. Ponce and Tender Dental & Family Dentists about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
• Total treatment time averages 9 – 15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.