Aesthetic Dentistry
Aesthetic dentistry is not about changing a smile — it's about understanding it. At Rose City Dentistry, every aesthetic case begins with careful evaluation, intentional design, and respect for the individuality of each patient.
Dr. Ridley approaches aesthetic dentistry as a balance of art and function, where subtle changes create meaningful impact. Shape, proportion, texture, and bite are thoughtfully considered so results appear natural, feel comfortable, and stand the test of time. The goal is never an obvious transformation, but one that feels effortless and authentic.
Veneer & Smile Design Process
Porcelain restoration (crowns or veneers) at Rose City Dentistry are carefully handcrafted to reflect the natural translucency, texture, and depth of real teeth. Thoughtful design and close collaboration with a master ceramist allow results to remain soft, refined, and authentic — never opaque or artificial.
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Consult & Mock Smile
Dr. Ridley begins by discussing your aesthetic goals and carefully evaluating your smile, teeth, and overall facial harmony. Once you agree on a direction, photos and impressions are taken so she can personally design a smile tailored to your face and features.
A custom mock smile is created to preview the proposed shape, form, and contour of your teeth. This allows you to see and feel the design before treatment begins, ensuring expectations are aligned and details can be refined together.
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Preparation
When treatment begins, Dr. Ridley conservatively prepares the teeth, removing only what is necessary to allow for proper shape, color, and comfort. Temporary restorations are then placed using the approved smile design as a foundation.
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At this stage, the transformation truly begins. Dr. Ridley further hand-refines the temporary smile—adding detail, contour, and nuance beyond the initial mock-up—so patients can experience a more accurate preview of their final result.
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You’ll wear this temporary smile for approximately one week, allowing time to adapt to how it looks, feels, and functions in daily life. A follow-up visit is scheduled to assess comfort, bite, and aesthetics, and to gather feedback before finalizing every detail.
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Once the design is confirmed, the final restorations are handcrafted by a master ceramist, a process that typically takes six to eight weeks to complete. This collaborative approach ensures the final result reflects both precision and artistry.
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Final Delivery
Once your final restorations are complete, the temporary smile is removed and each veneer is carefully bonded using a highly technique-sensitive process. This step is critical to the longevity, strength, and natural appearance of the final result.
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Dr. Ridley follows a meticulous bonding protocol refined through advanced aesthetic training, including techniques developed and taught by Larry Rosenthal and other leading aesthetic dentists worldwide. Every veneer is individually evaluated, adjusted, and bonded with precision to ensure ideal fit, seamless margins, and long-term stability.
A follow-up visit is scheduled shortly after delivery to confirm comfort, bite balance, and function—ensuring your smile not only looks beautiful, but feels natural and secure.
Aesthetic Procedures
Adult Orthodontics
Adult orthodontics can improve alignment, bite balance, and overall harmony of the smile. Whether used as a stand-alone treatment or as part of a comprehensive aesthetic plan, orthodontic care is approached thoughtfully and conservatively.
Dr. Ridley incorporates clear aligner therapy to gently guide teeth into a healthier, more balanced position — often as a foundation for restorative or aesthetic treatment — while prioritizing comfort, discretion, and long-term stability.
Whitening
Teeth whitening is often the simplest way to refresh a smile — but only when it’s done thoughtfully and appropriately. At Rose City Dentistry, whitening is recommended selectively, with careful consideration of tooth health, existing restorations, and long-term goals.
Dr. Ridley offers KöR® whitening because of its ability to gently and predictably brighten teeth, including deeper or more stubborn discoloration. Treatment typically begins with custom-fit trays worn at home, allowing gradual whitening in a controlled, comfortable way. If additional brightness is desired, an in-office session may be incorporated to refine the final result.
Rather than chasing extremes, our approach to whitening focuses on achieving a natural, luminous shade that complements your features and any existing or planned dental work — ensuring results look balanced, healthy, and intentional.
Anterior Implant Dentistry
Replacing a front tooth requires a level of precision far beyond routine implant care. In the aesthetic zone, planning must account for bone, gum architecture, tooth position, and the final appearance of the smile — before surgery ever begins.
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Dr. Ridley has advanced training in anterior implant planning and immediate temporization, allowing a provisional tooth to be placed at the time of surgery when appropriate. This approach supports natural tissue healing, preserves aesthetics, and allows patients to leave with a smile that looks intentional throughout the process — not unfinished.
Full Mouth Rehabilitation
Full mouth rehabilitation is a comprehensive, highly individualized approach to restoring oral health, function, and aesthetics when multiple concerns must be addressed together. Rather than treating teeth in isolation, Dr. Ridley carefully evaluates how the bite, joints, teeth, gums, and smile work as a system — allowing treatment to be designed intentionally from the very beginning.
Care may involve a thoughtful combination of restorative dentistry, dental implants, aesthetic procedures, and bite correction, all planned to support long-term comfort, stability, and natural appearance. While many patients benefit from full mouth rehabilitation, treatment does not always need to be completed all at once. When appropriate, care can be carefully phased — often addressing the upper and lower arches separately — while preserving function, comfort, and a cohesive final result.
Every rehabilitation begins with detailed evaluation and comprehensive planning, ensuring results are not only beautiful, but durable, balanced, and designed to last.
Botox® & Dysport®
Neuromodulators such as Botox® and Dysport® are offered as part of a comprehensive approach to muscle balance, jaw comfort, and facial harmony. In dentistry, these treatments are most often used to support patients with TMJ discomfort, clenching, or muscle-related pain.
When used thoughtfully, neuromodulators can also complement aesthetic and restorative care by reducing excessive muscle forces and supporting long-term comfort. Treatment is conservative, precise, and always guided by diagnosis — not trends.
Dentistry Designed with Intention
Why travel to see Dr. Ridley?
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Dr. Ridley is personally involved in every stage of care—from diagnosis and planning to the final details. Each case is thoughtfully designed by hand, allowing for complete control over shape, balance, and natural appearance rather than relying on templates or shortcuts.
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Her approach is comprehensive, gentle, and highly attentive to each patient’s needs. With high expectations for both aesthetics and function, Dr. Ridley strives for results that are beautiful, subtle, and comfortable—so smiles not only look natural, but feel right.
For patients seeking dentistry that is carefully considered rather than rushed, travel is often part of the journey.
Visiting from Out of Town?
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Many of our patients travel to Thomasville for care. We offer virtual consultations and personalized scheduling to make planning your visit simple and seamless. Our team is happy to assist with appointment coordination so you can feel confident and prepared before arriving.
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With its beautiful scenery, charming shops, and acclaimed restaurants, Thomasville provides the perfect setting to combine world-class dental care with a relaxing getaway.