Plus she offers a wide range of dental implant procedures including single tooth implants, implants for dentures, hybrid implants, All-On-X (Four or Six), snap in dentures, full arch implants and full mouth reconstruction.

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! Dr. Ali takes great pride in practicing implant dentistry; she performs sinus lifts, bone grafts and complex bone augmentation procedures.

Although each case is unique, in most cases, a dental implant makes the most sense for tooth replacement. There are less expensive alternatives such as a dental bridge or, for several missing teeth, a full or partial denture, however these typically dont last as long as dental implants.

When cared for properly, dental implants can last a lifetime. There are health benefits to having an implant versus a bridge or denture, too. You lower your risk of bone loss (resorption) where the missing teeth are, and there are no foods that are off limits with an implant. Dental implants look and feel just like natural teeth!

A snap-in or snap-on denture is a removable set of false teeth that attach to dental implants surgically embedded in the jawbone. The denture is still removable, but its more stable and secure than a denture that doesnt snap onto implants. There are a few distinct advantages to having an implant-supported snap-in denture vs. a traditional denture that rests on the gums.

A snap-in denture can be easily removed and replaced. Since its supported by implants in the jawbone, it has excellent retention and allows for more comfort while chewing. Keeping the mouth and denture clean is easy since the denture is removable, so oral health is easier to maintain. Keeping the mouth and denture clean reduces the risk of developing oral infections.

Its still important to have regular visits to the dentist to check the health of your mouth, the stability of the dental implants, and have the denture examined for proper fit. From time to time the denture will need adjusting or re-lining as the shape of the oral cavity changes over time.

Usually a snap-in denture snaps onto 2, 4 or more locator attachments. These are the implants. Dr. Ali can help you decide if youre a candidate for 2, 4 or more implants that can support a denture. By having a denture that snaps onto implants, you eliminate the discomfort of rubbing, chafing and open sores that commonly occur when traditional dentures dont fit perfectly.

Dental implants are integrated into the jawbone and provide the same amount of chewing force as a natural tooth. If you have single implants with crowns, you can eat whatever you want, just like with natural teeth. If you have implant-supported dentures, then youll still need to be cautious and cut your food into smaller pieces and chew carefully. But youll still have better retention and chewing ability than if your denture isnt fixed to implants.

There are several options to consider when dealing with tooth loss. If all of the teeth are missing, then full dentures are likely the only choice. Fortunately, patients can still preserve their facial structure and bone levels by choosing a denture thats supported by implants.

The dentist can surgically place two or four dental implants on the upper dental arch, and two to four implants on the lower arch for a denture(s) to snap onto. Once the implants are integrated and dentures are fitted, patients can eat without worrying about the discomfort of gums being rubbed raw or the embarrassment of a denture coming loose!

Dr. Ali can surgically place two to four dental implants to support a full set of replacement teeth. The replacement teeth can either be removable or they can be fixed so that only a dentist can remove them. Either type of implant-supported denture wont rub on your gums or slip out of place. Eating and talking is more natural and comfortable with implant-supported dentures!

All-on-4 means that all of the teeth in an arch (all upper or all lower) are being extracted or are already missing and a full set of upper or lower teeth are fabricated to replace them. The false teeth span the entire upper or lower arch and attach to a minimum of 4 dental implants. This is slightly different from a traditional denture. A denture has an acrylic plate that goes across the roof of the mouth, and its more easily removable. All-on-4 dentures dont cover the roof of the mouth, which makes eating much more pleasurable, and they either snap in the mouth securely or are screwed onto the implants by a dentist.

This is a treatment that can give you a new set of teeth in one day, so its often called one day smile or smile in a day. Four dental implants can be placed in one arch or eight implants in both arches all in one day. Temporary bridges are fixed to the implants that same day. After four to six months of healing time, youll return for your final and permanent bridges, or all-on-4 dentures. Youll want to have regular dental visits to check the fit of your prosthetic and to clean the implants. Dental implants are still susceptible to gum disease, so youll still need to practice good hygiene with all-on-4 dentures.

Patients with edentulism (toothlessness) are often eligible for the All-on-X (Four or Six) treatment concept. A thorough evaluation of any patient is necessary in order to choose the right treatment and to establish a predictable treatment outcome.

Teeth in one day is when all of the teeth are extracted in one day and implants are surgically placed in the jawbone to support a fixed bridge that stays in place during the healing process. This temporary fixed bridge stays in place for four to six months, after which a permanent bridge is placed. A fixed denture or bridge thats supported by implants is the closest way to mimic a full set of natural teeth.

To ensure accurate placement of the implants into the jawbone, Dr. Ali will use a surgical guide. A surgical guide precisely guides the doctor on the exact placement and angle to insert the implant. Dental implants have a very high success rate and once theyre placed, the bone actually fuses to the implant, essentially becoming a very strong artificial tooth root.

A common issue for patients considering a Dental Implant is the lack of sufficient jawbone density. This can be very important to support the implant with the utmost efficacy and safety. For qualified candidates, there is a new, highly advanced technique available to create a solid foundation for dental implants while helping to enhance their overall oral health.

Patterson Village Dentistry is pleased to offer a state of the art, all-natural, treatment procedure meant to promote bone regrowth and accelerated bone healing after Implant procedures and in the treatment of Gum Disease. This FDA cleared procedure begins with Dr. Ali drawing a small amount of your blood and placing it in a centrifuge right here in our office. The centrifuge then spins the vials containing the blood at a specified angulation and high speed to create a condensed clot of fibrin. Once separated, this fibrin clot is flattened by a special process, effectively creating a thin, compressed matrix of highly concentrated healing factors.

Following the cleansing and sterilization of the treatment area, the PRF matrix and bone grafting material is carefully placed next to your existing jawbone structure, helping to stimulate the growth of new bone tissue around the graft for an ample amount of strength and density to successfully support a dental implant. Ultimately, L-PRF is both a holistic and biocompatible technique, often enabling qualified patients to achieve faster-healing and better-quality bone structure than ever before. In addition to bone grafting, the dentist can also utilize L-PRF to enhance sinus lift procedures for quicker healing and improved overall results.

The team at Patterson Village Dentistry in Richmond, VA describe dental implants as titanium screws that are surgically placed into the jawbone. The implant screw has an abutment that joins it to a dental crown, creating the look of a natural tooth. Once fully integrated into the jawbone, a dental implant looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth!

The best way to know if youre a dental implant candidate is to have an evaluation at the dentist. No dentist can tell you over the phone exactly what type of treatment will be best for you without first looking in your mouth. In the dental office, x-rays and special imaging will help the dentist determine if implants are an appropriate option for you and what would be involved to give you the smile you want. Every case is different but theres almost always a great solution that will work for you. Make sure to ask questions and share any concerns you have with the doctor so she can create the treatment plan thats right for you!

Each of these options can provide you with a satisfactory outcome in the short term. By not placing a dental implant, bone resorption will occur. If you think you might want to have an implant down the road but just not yet, consider that there needs to be a sufficient amount of healthy bone in order to place an implant. Its important to have a discussion with your dentist about your long-term goals and plan accordingly as soon as youve had a tooth extracted.

You might not give much thought to your teeth until something needs to be fixed or you actually lose a permanent tooth. Teeth are not only necessary for chewing, but theyre the first thing people see when you smile, talk and laugh. When you lose a permanent tooth that leaves a gap in your smile, youre likely to start thinking about options for replacing the tooth. So whats the best way to replace missing teeth? At Patterson Village Dentistry in Richmond, VA, were happy to discuss your options for replacing missing teeth. Most of the time, dental implants are the best-looking, longest-lasting solution to restore function and aesthetics to your smile.

We know that dental implants preserve bone and keep your jawline looking strong and healthy, but there are more benefits to getting dental implants. Whether the implant is replacing a single tooth or all of the teeth, they can be fabricated to look natural and even better, to feel natural. When replacing a single tooth with a dental implant, you wont even know your natural tooth is missing when youre eating, laughing, and talking.

If several implants are placed to support a full denture, then youll have the peace of mind knowing that you can go about your life without worrying that your denture might slip out or that eating will be painful. Dental implants are an excellent long-term solution to missing teeth.

One reason dental implants are such a desirable option for tooth replacement is that they can last a lifetime if theyre cared for properly. Since dental implants are integrated into the bone and gum tissue, they are still susceptible to gum disease and if care isnt taken, an implant can be lost to periodontal disease, just like a natural tooth. Its critical to floss, brush and have regular dental cleanings to ensure the tissue around the implant stays healthy and free of infection.

One of the signs of aging is sagging skin or a sunken look to the face. Many people dont consider the fact that this could be a result of missing teeth. Teeth give shape and structure to the face and when several teeth are missing, it often results in a sunken appearance. Implant supported dentures can give your face its normal fullness, which looks more healthy and youthful!

Millions of Americans lose teeth for various reasons each year. Periodontal disease, decay, and trauma are among the most common reasons. When one or more teeth are missing, especially in an area of your mouth thats visible when you speak or smile, youll have options for filling in the gaps. Partial dentures are an option for one or a few missing teeth. Full dentures are an option for an entire upper or lower arch of teeth missing. While a good option for some, its not the best long-term solution considering the way the jawbone reacts to a missing tooth. When a tooth is missing, the bone actually resorbs. This means that the body breaks down the bony tissue that isnt holding the root of a tooth. Its one of the reasons dental implants are such a great solution for the long term. When an implant is placed where a tooth is missing, the bone integrates around the implant and stays intact. Over the course of many years, having natural teeth or implants keeps your jawbone strong and healthy, and helps give your face the full healthy appearance it should have.

The upper and lower jawbones house the roots of all of the teeth. When you chew food, you put pressure on the tooth roots, which stimulates the jawbone to stay strong and robust. When a permanent tooth is lost, the bone is no longer stimulated in that space and the body begins to break down the bony tissue. This is called bone resorption. Over time, if many teeth are missing, the breakdown of bone will cause the face to have a weak, sunken appearance. Having dental implants surgically placed in the bone will preserve the shape and structure of the jaw and prevent the bone from deteriorating.

Traditional dentures that are not fixed to implants will need adjusting as the jawbone shrinks over time. Dentures that simply rest on the gum tissue dont provide the stimulation needed to prevent the jawbone from breaking down. As the jaw shrinks, the denture will need to be replaced.

As soon as a tooth is extracted, have a conversation with your dentist about options for preserving bone in the area. The best way to preserve bone is to keep it in active use. For an extraction site, this means placing an implant.

Dental implants are tiny titanium screws that are surgically implanted into the jawbone. Once the implant is in place, the bone begins to heal around the titanium and actually fuses to the implant. This is a process called osseointegration. Once osseointegration has occurred, any chewing force on the implant is stimulating the surrounding bone. This keeps the bone healthy and useful, so the body does not resorb the bony tissue.

While the implants themselves wont make you look younger, consider the effects on the structure of your face if you dont have the support of teeth. Teeth are responsible for the full appearance of a face. If the teeth are missing, the face appears wrinkled, collapsed, and sunken, and the jawbone begins to deteriorate. So if youre missing one or more teeth, having dental implants placed will help preserve the jawbone and also provide the facial structure to keep a more youthful appearance.

The structure of ones face is largely dependent on the shape of the jawbones and position of the teeth. Teeth are critical to maintaining a healthy jawbone and preventing the bone from shrinking. Consider the space between the tip of your nose and the tip of your chin. If teeth are missing, the jawbones come closer together (because there are no teeth to stop them). This gives a collapsed, sunken appearance and accentuates wrinkles around the mouth. Dental implants provide the height and structure needed to keep the jaw in the correct position and the bone strong, helping to prevent premature wrinkles and sagging skin.

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!

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 youve had fillings done or that youve chipped a front tooth once theyve been restored using tooth-colored composite. The shade of composite is matched to your natural tooth so its 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 thats 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 youre simply wanting to improve the cosmetic appearance of your smile.

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.

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 wont be obvious you have a crown. The crown will cover the portion of the tooth thats 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 isnt 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!

Dental veneers are a cosmetic solution that can create the smile you want. Veneers can be placed on teeth that cant be whitened or arent 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!

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.

Many patients also wonder how long veneers last. The answer is largely dependent on how well you take care of your veneers. Patients who dont 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.

Veneers can be used to fix many common cosmetic problems. Their color and shape are custom-designed and made to fit your smile and face. Once veneers are in place, theyll look like the very best version of your natural teeth. Veneers can be great solutions to common issues such as:

If youve ever felt self-conscious about your teeth and smile, consider whether veneers might help you achieve the confidence youd like. In as little as two visits, you can give yourself a completely new smile that youre proud to show off. When cared for properly, veneers can last many years. Theyll stay looking great, too, since veneers dont stain as easily as natural teeth!

The difference between a veneer and a crown is that a veneer is a thin layer of material that covers only the front of the tooth whereas a crown covers the entire tooth, front and back. A veneer is more conservative, because it leaves more of your natural tooth intact. In certain cases, your dentist might recommend a crown to give you the cosmetic look you want if she feels the tooth wouldnt otherwise be strong enough to support a veneer. Most of the time, though, veneers can be used to achieve the desired look.

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 wont leak onto your gums or leave a bad taste in your mouth.