One of the common trends we are seeing this year is the increasing popularity of metal free dental implants or zirconia dental implants. The benefits of zirconia include: 

1. Superior aesthetics

• Zirconia is tooth-coloured (white), so it blends seamlessly with natural teeth.
• No risk of a grey metal shine-through, especially in patients with thin gums.

2. Metal-free / hypoallergenic

• Ideal if you want to avoid metals or have sensitivities.
• Very low risk of allergic reactions compared to metal-based implants.

3. Lower plaque accumulation

• The ceramic surface tends to attract less plaque and bacteria, which may help gum health.

4. Corrosion-resistant

• Zirconia does not corrode or release ions, making it appealing for patients concerned about long-term material stability.

5. Good soft tissue response

• Some studies suggest improved gum tissue integration and aesthetics around the implant.
   

Porcelain veneers are still regarded as one of the main cosmetic dentistry techniques. In skilled hands, they can look just like teeth. Now, we are not talking 'Turkey Teeth' here! You may have seen many social media sites showing smile makeovers in Turkey with super white 'veneers'. In reality, these veneers are actually crowns that cover the entire tooth surface after the teeth have been cut down to little stumps. This is not cosmetic dentistry but butchery, to be blunt. 

Porcelain veneer treatment should be minimally invasive preserving as much tooth surface as possible. This way, the results are not only biologically safe but also life like and natural. The key detail is in the planning and close collaboration with the dental laboratory and technicians. Our case of the month for February shows a great case following these key principles.

One of our most popular cosmetic dental treatments is the Social 6 lingual brace. This is the truly invisible brace being placed behind the teeth so that no one will know that you are straightening your teeth! Most treatments only take three to four months. Get teeth ready for the Summer!
 

Dr Nissit Patel has just been awarded Associate Fellowship title by the College of General Dentistry. Associate Fellowship of the College recognises enhanced knowledge and skills, and demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning and the highest levels of patient care. This is a highly prestigious aware and we are absolutely delighted for him. 

We are committed and passionate about learning and improving to provide the highest levels of dental care to our patients. This award is testament to our ethos and a great achievement for the entire team here at Progressive Dentistry.
 

Replacing missing back teeth is essential. The molar teeth are designed for mastication i.e chewing . Without molars, it is far harder to break down foods for ease of swallowing. This essentially means that the diet will be one of soft foods only and eating will take much longer. This would not be a great look at a New Years eve dinner party! 

Our front teeth are created for incising food i.e cutting. If the teeth in front of the molars are overloaded with excessive force then further problems will result such as cracks, fractures and even teeth splitting in half meaning the loss of more teeth. 

The good news is that molar teeth can be replaced using dental implants to restore chewing function, spread the forces and enjoy those harder goods once again. 

Our case of the month for December is a classic one where the back teeth were lost due to bruxism which severely impaired function.
 

Christmas is here and our opening times this year are: 

Tuesday 23rd December 0900-1700

Christmas Eve 0900-1300 Reception only

Christmas Day Closed

Boxing Day Closed

Saturday 27th 0900-1430 Reception only

Monday 29th 1000-1300

Tuesday 30th 0900-1300 Hygiene only

New Years Eve 0900-1300 Reception only

New Years Day Closed

Friday 2nd January Normal opening times resume

In the case of an emergency out of hours , please call us on 0207 7311162 and speak with our 24/7 reception. We will then call you back for advice even on Christmas Day! 

Have a fantastic Christmas and Happy New Year!

One of the most common comments we encounter when discussing Invisalign with our patients is 'can Invisalign really close large gaps between my teeth?'. The reason for this is that most dentists will say that only fixed braces have enough 'force' to close spaces with any certainty. However, with careful planning and using the latest technology available, we can predictably close gaps and improve the bite using Invisalign.
 

We love a challenge especially when it concerns teeth straightening and our case of the month treated in October was a great one. Our lovely patient came to us to straighten her front teeth only after years of being down about her smile. She was told by several dentists that it simply was not possible without going through a long drawn out full mouth orthodontic plan. We were happy to take on the challenge head on and after some careful planning, Dr Nissit Patel was able to provide a great result in a few months using the Social 6 lingual brace.
 

Teeth alignment is an incredibly popular cosmetic dental treatment which we have been offering for nearly 16 years at Progressive Dentistry. Most people know about Invisalign, which is a fantastic treatment using clear aligners. However, not many are aware of lingual braces. This brace is placed behind the teeth hence no one will know you are straightening your teeth. This treatment is not readily available at most dental practices like Invisalign as it is regarded as being more technically difficult and requires special training. 

We have been placing lingual braces for over 15 years and have treated thousands of patients in that time. There is no substitute for experience!