6714 Patterson Ave Suite 201 Richmond, VA 23226

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Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Cosmetic Dental Procedures, Options & Details

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Dr. Hina Ali has the experience and credentials you should look for when considering a Cosmetic Dentist.

Dr. Hina Ali, serving Richmond, has been placing and restoring dental implants for more than a decade.

Be relaxed and comfortable throughout your appointment.

Dedicated to life-long learning, Dr. Ali has averaged 90 continuing education credit hours (per licensing period) throughout her career; the minimum requirements for the state of Virginia are 15 continuing education credit hours per licensing period!

A Top Rated Cosmetic Dentist in Richmond

I owe Jennifer and Dr. Ali so much for resolving my dental issue ASAP from the paperwork to my crown lengthening surgery. I had a speedy and healthy recovery confirmed on my follow up appointment. I strongly recommend the Patterson Village Dentistry practice. Thank you and keep up the great work.

A. Soler

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Video 01:00 |”Over the last 50 years, materials used to help restore decayed teeth have advanced. Composites, or white fillings, are designed to match the color of your teeth and can be used to give you a more natural-looking smile.”

Bonding & White Filling

Many minor dental problems such as small cavities or chipped teeth, can be repaired using tooth-colored material called composite resin. Nobody needs to know you’ve had fillings done or that you’ve chipped a front tooth once they’ve been restored using tooth-colored composite. The shade of composite is matched to your natural tooth so it’s virtually invisible to anyone who looks at your teeth when you laugh or smile. Dr. Ali at Patterson Village Dentistry only uses tooth-colored composite for fillings to give an aesthetically pleasing result.

Bonding with composite resin can help fix:

  • Cavities
  • Chipped front teeth
  • Small gaps between teeth

Tooth-colored composite will last many years with proper care. It has been a popular choice for patients and dentists for many years because of its longevity and aesthetic appearance.

What is composite resin bonding?

Composite resin bonding is a tooth-colored filling material. It can be used not only to fix cavities, but also to repair small imperfections that show when you smile, such as chips in the front teeth or small gaps between teeth. The material is biocompatible and comes in many shades, so a perfect match to your natural teeth makes it almost impossible to detect. Dr. Ali is an expert at placing virtually invisible composite fillings, ensuring a beautiful cosmetic result.

How do I care for tooth-colored fillings?

There are no special instructions for caring for composite. Your fillings will last longer with good dental hygiene, so you should continue to maintain good habits at home on a daily basis. Flossing, brushing, and regular visits with the dental hygienist will ensure any dental work in your mouth lasts as long as possible. Our team at Patterson Village Dentistry is here to ensure your dental health, so make sure you see us regularly to check all of your dental work and keep your mouth clean and healthy.

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Video 01:00 | If you have a tooth that is not the same size or shape as your other teeth and that needs support, your dentist may recommend a crown.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown, also sometimes called a “cap” is used when a tooth needs to be restored to its full shape and function. Maybe the tooth broke, has a cavity that’s too large to fix with a filling, or has cracks in it. Dr. Ali at Patterson Village Dentistry might recommend a dental crown if you have any of the above conditions, or even if you’re simply wanting to improve the cosmetic appearance of your smile.

Getting a Crown Placed

Once your dentist has recommended placing a crown, there are typically one to two appointments required to complete the procedure. Here are the steps to having a crown placed:

  1. The dentist will numb the tooth.
  2. The tooth will be “prepped”, which means the natural crown on the tooth is removed.
  3. Impressions are taken of the prepped tooth and surrounding teeth.
  4. The crown is made either in the dental office or in a dental lab. If the crown is made in a lab, a temporary crown will be placed while the lab makes your permanent crown.
  5. Once the crown is made, it is permanently cemented to the remaining portion of the natural tooth.

Care is taken to ensure that the new crown fits like a natural crown and looks just as good, if not better than the natural tooth. The final crown is strong enough to chew on and will function just like your natural tooth.

Here are the most common scenarios where a crown might be recommended:

  • A fractured or broken tooth.
  • A tooth that has recently had a root canal.
  • A tooth with a very large cavity.
  • A tooth that is unsightly and needs cosmetic improvement.
  • A tooth that has heavy wear from grinding.
  • A tooth that has a large silver-colored filling (amalgam) that needs to be removed.

Dental crowns can be made from several materials, most commonly ceramic or zirconia. Other common materials are porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and gold. These materials are all biocompatible in the mouth and provide different benefits. A discussion with your dentist will help determine which material is the right one to preserve your tooth and the surrounding teeth. If the crown is on a tooth that shows when you smile, special care will be taken to make sure the color and shape matches the surrounding teeth, so it won’t be obvious you have a crown. The crown will cover the portion of the tooth that’s above the gumline, which on a natural tooth, is also called the crown! So the dentist is just replacing the natural crown of the tooth with an artificial crown. The root of the tooth stays intact and supports the crown.

A tooth that has been restored with a crown should be cared for the same way as a natural tooth. Brushing twice daily and flossing at least once per day is necessary to keep your teeth plaque-free and healthy. Regular cleanings at the recommended times are also important to make sure the edges of the crowns stay clean. Remember that under the crown you still have natural tooth structure. If the crown isn’t kept clean, bacteria can accumulate along the edges of the crown and cause a cavity on the remaining natural tooth underneath the crown. Keeping your crown clean will not only prevent decay underneath it, but it will help make your crown last many years!

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Video 01:00 | If your teeth are chipped, cracked or stained you may want to consider veneers.

Veneers

Dental veneers are a cosmetic solution that can create the smile you want. Veneers can be placed on teeth that can’t be whitened or aren’t the size and shape you want. Porcelain veneers can be designed to hide discoloration, wear, gaps, small teeth and other imperfections in your smile.

A veneer is a thin layer of tooth-colored material permanently bonded to the front of a natural tooth to improve its appearance. Veneers look naturally beautiful and can help give you the confidence to laugh and smile!

What to expect when getting veneers

People often ask if getting veneers will ruin their teeth. Veneers will not ruin the teeth, but they are a permanent cosmetic alteration to the tooth. When well-cared-for, veneers can last many years before needing replacement.

Steps to getting veneers:

  • Consultation appointment to discuss treatment plan.
  • The teeth will be numbed.
  • The dentist will remove a thin layer of enamel from the front and sides of the teeth.
  • Impressions are taken and temporary veneers placed on the teeth.
  • Approximate two week waiting period while the dentist and dental laboratory design the custom veneers.
  • The temporaries are removed and permanent veneers are bonded to your teeth.

Many patients also wonder how long veneers last. The answer is largely dependent on how well you take care of your veneers. Patients who don’t floss daily and have plaque and food accumulate on their teeth will find that their veneers only last a few years. Patients who are diligent about regular cleanings and take care to have good hygiene will likely see their veneers last for decades.

Video 01:00 | In-office tooth whitening is a great way to give your smile that extra sparkle.

Teeth Whitening & Bleaching

One of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments is tooth whitening. At Patterson Village Dentistry, we offer Sheer White whitening strips for in-office treatments. Unlike other in-office whitening treatments, these whitening strips are applied to your teeth in the office in a matter of a few minutes, then you can leave and go about your day while the strips stay on your teeth for thirty minutes. At the end of your hygiene visit is an ideal time to quickly have the strips applied before you leave. You can talk, and even drink water while the strips are in your mouth. The whitening solution won’t leak onto your gums or leave a bad taste in your mouth.

To continue whitening and see the shade of your teeth lighten over the next several days, we recommend using Fluorescent take home whitening system.

Ask us about whitening at your next visit! We’ll walk you through how we safely and comfortably whiten your teeth without having you spend hours in the chair!

We always encourage patients to ask questions during their dental appointments. The dental professionals at Patterson Village Dentistry are happy to help you decide which professional whitening treatment is most appropriate for you. We take the time to explain pros and cons of treatment and work with you to determine the best way to achieve your cosmetic desires.

Get Started on Your Journey Today!

OR CALL (804) 282-3197 OR TEXT US TO GET STARTED.

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