Dr Nissit Patel attended the European Association of Osseointegration (EAO) Congress from 24th-26th September in Lisbon, Portugal. This was a wonderful event, with incredible presentations from world renowned speakers, live surgery, a wonderful trade fair and educational events. There is always so much to learn in the world of dental implants and it is great to be able to connect with our European and world wide colleagues at such events. 

Congratulations to the EAO for organising such a successful event and we look forward to seeing you next year in Madrid!

It is a very common belief that one is too old for orthodontic teeth straightening treatment. Braces are associated with teenagers and track metal brackets. However, orthodontics is available to everyone and at any age. Our case of the month in July 2026 was a classic Invisalign one to correct crowding, widen the smile line and improve the bite. Our lovely patient hated her smile for decades and was not aware that Invisalign would be suitable. After careful planning and communication, we are able to transform the smile and make our patient feel fantastic!

If you have read any of our case of the month articles in the past, you will know that we love the Social 6 lingual brace. We have been using this brace for over 16 years to straighten teeth in Fulham and across Europe ( yes, people do travel for this!). The major advantages are that the brace is placed on the inside of the teeth making it the only invisible brace on the market. Treatments are also super quick at usually 3-4months and certain tooth movements are made for lingual braces. Just check out our case of the month for June 2026 below and all will be explained.

Spring is now in full bloom and at this time of year, we are always looking at the future. This could be planning for a summer holiday, sorting out the house or even a smile transformation! Our case of the month for April was a fabulous one highlighting how a new smile really can transform your confidence and general well being. One of the most popular treatments we use to straighten front teeth is the Social 6 lingual brace. This is the only brace that can be considered truly invisible as it is placed behind the teeth and hidden from view. No more train tracks! Most treatments are only 3-4 months hence you could have a beaming smile in time for the Bank Holiday in August. 

Our client was on a deadline as hew was having a lot of dental work completed elsewhere but was told he needed his front teeth straighter. Many other dental clinics said it was not possible but we bucked the trend and managed to complete the treatment on schedule with great results.

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.