Our case of the month for September is one which involves dental implants to replace missing back teeth. It is crucial to replace missing teeth at the back for a number of reasons. These involve: 

1. To restore function. Without back teeth or molar teeth, it is very hard to chew food. 

2. To prevent unwanted movement of the adjacent or opposing teeth. This could have a detrimental effect on the occlusion (bite) and cause major dental issues for the future. 

3. To prevent the jaw bone from shrinking which can result in causing the soft tissue to shrink. 

4. Aesthetics. Having gaps at the back of the mouth can still be seen. Dark space is not attractive. 

5. For general well being, physical and psychological. In our case, the missing teeth were two molar teeth on the upper right hand side. 

Please view a photograph:
 

We are delighted to announce that Philips Whitespeed Zoom whitening is now available at Progressive Dentistry. Zoom is the most recognized tooth whitening brand in dentistry for good reason. The new LED accelerator offers gentle but fantastic results in only 1 hour! If you have yellow, dark, discoloured teeth and would like them whitened in just one visit, then Whitespeed Zoom whitening could be for you. With every treatment, we provide a take home kit to continue the whitening process and maintain the results. Below is an example of the results that are possible:
 

We are delighted to announce a fantastic lingual brace offer for September. A full arch lingual brace is now just £2000, saving £1500 (usual fee £3500). 

Lingual braces are the truly invisible brace as they are placed on the inside of the teeth. If you would like a discreet way of straightening your teeth, then lingual braces could be the answer. In many cases, lingual braces are also extremely quick. Mild crowding could be corrected in just a few weeks! To learn more, please view a recent case study:
 

It is that time of year again- back to school. The summer holidays are over and the new school year begins. Oh well, never mind, it will be half term soon! Here are some useful tips on maintaining your child's oral health for the new school year:

1. Avoid sugary drinks. Fizzy drinks are especially bad. Did you know that a can of cola contains 4 tablespoons of sugar. Yes, that is correct- tablespoons not teaspoons.
2. Avoid snacking on processed snacks such as the weird and wonderful shaped crisps. These can be very sticky and difficult to remove. They also contain starch. A recipe for tooth decay.
3. Brush twice a day for 2 minutes. A timer is useful.
4. Use a fluoride mouthwash after brushing especially at night time. There are many children's versions available. They key is not to swallow- gargle for 30 second and spit. Do not rinse with water afterwards.
5. Use plaque disclosing tablets. These are ideal at night to avoid a pink mouth at school!
6. Visit the dentist and hygienist twice a year. 

At Progressive Dentistry, we offer FREE children's examinations with a registered parent. Developing good dental habits at a young age is vital- prevention is better than cure.

Our case of the month for August involves a dental implant to replace a front tooth that's missing. It is well known that dental implants provide the very best method of replacing missing teeth, with extensive research over many years placing dental implants at the very top of the success stories in dentistry. Missing front teeth is not only an aesthetic issue (nobody wants a gappy smile!) but also a functional issue. The front teeth are designed to incise and tear food, with the chewing at the back. It is extremely important to have a full set of teeth to enable full function and also look great! Thankfully, dental implants can solve the problem in most cases. Just have a look at our case below:
 

We are delighted to announce that Dr Deborah Phillips has joined our team. Deborah is both French and British and therefore if you require an examination, treatment plan and options in French then we have the dentist for you. 

Dr Phillips qualified from Paris Descartes University in 2012. Just before graduating she spent the last term of her internship in UmeÃ¥ University which was challenging and opened her mind to many possibilities in dentistry. Deborah spent over a year in a practice in the Parisian suburbs while completing a French postgraduate in Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry. She was also a clinical teaching assistant in the endodontic and Restorative Dentistry department of the "Assistance Public des Hôpitaux de Paris". In the beginning of 2014 she moved to England to start practicing dentistry in London. Deborah regularly attends postgraduates in dentistry to keep up to date in the vast range of possibilities that modern Dentistry has to offer. She will also be happy to provide the best quality care to your children in a relaxed atmosphere. 

If you would like a French dentist to look after your dental care, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Deborah is available on Saturdays and will also be providing cover for Dr Nissit Patel from August 15th- 28th.

In general, cosmetic dentistry is an elective treatment. For example, you do not have to whiten your teeth, straighten those wayward incisors or close spaces. However, the difference this can make to an individual should not be underestimated. One of the great joys of dentistry is making a real difference and the response we receive after some stunning cosmetic dentistry makes all the hard work worth while. For example, a client recently came to us in a terrible state as her wedding date was only a few months away and she desperately wanted her teeth straightened for the big day. We were able to produce a beaming smile in only a few visits and the difference was remarkable. Look for yourselves:
 

We strongly believe in the non invasive dentistry wherever possible. There are many benefits to a minimal approach such as:

1. Less invasion leads to healthier teeth and gums.
2. Less biological damage.
3. Less risk of complications.
4. Maintenance is simple and cost effective.
5. Less costly!
6. Natural results.

For example, just look at our case below with regards to a non invasive smile makeover:
 

Our case of the month for June involves repairing worn and fractured edges of the upper front teeth using composite bonding. Cosmetic bonding is a fantastic technique to repair teeth using minimally invasive dentistry. The process involves NO drilling, NO needles and NO pain. Please take a look at our case: