Our case of the month for April is an unbelievable smile makeover using a fixed metal brace. Our patient wanted to be able to smile for her wedding photographs and we were given a time span of just 8 months! Now the level of tooth crowding was quite severe and we were unsure whether the treatment could be completed in time. However, we did not need to worry. The treatment was complete ahead of schedule. We used high tec metal brackets which have minimal friction and allow quick alignment of rotated, crooked, displaced teeth. Just take a look at the before and after photos:
 

Our case of the month for March 2015 is a fantastic smile transformation using ABC. What is ABC? Simple: 1. A is for ALIGNMENT. The teeth are straightened using one of our adult orthodontic techniques. 2. B is for BLEACHING. Whitening is carried out using a take home kit or our new Philips Zoom LED in chair whitening. 3. C is for COSMETIC BONDING. Any chipped, uneven, rough edges can be restored with our tooth like adhesive bonding techniques. ABC is the non invasive smile makeover. There is no need for drilling away of healthy tooth enamel, no need for injections and there is no pain. What could be better? Take a look for yourself:
 

Our case of the month for February is a dental implant case to restore missing back teeth. Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth to restore function, aesthetics and prevent further problems of shrinkage and teeth movement. In our case of the month, our patient had lost some back teeth and there was a baby tooth remaining which was about to fall out. This severely impacted on her eating and everyday function. Dental implants were the best way to replace the missing teeth with a fixed and secure final end result. Here are some before photographs:
 

Our case of the month for January is an amazing smile transformation using cosmetic braces. One of the most satisfying aspects of dentistry is the completion of a long journey and seeing the transformation that can be made. Our case is an amazing transformation. Initially, the overall alignment and bite was very much out of position. A great deal of deliberation and planning is required for such complex cases- there is no need to rush! Here are the before photographs:
 

Our case of the month for December involves closing a gap between the front teeth. In the old days of dentistry, this may have involved cutting down teeth for porcelain veneers or having braces for 2 years. However, with modern day cosmetic dentistry and expertise, such cases can be treated in a few months without having to cut teeth. How? Well, it is simple. Careful planning and execution. Here is the case:
 

Our case of the month for November involves cosmetic bonding of a front tooth. The tooth in question was treated after orthodontic teeth straightening. Once the teeth were nice and straight, the smile was significantly enhanced with our minimally invasive technique of cosmetic bonding.

A brief overview of the technique:

1. The tooth is cleaned and polished. Any old composite filling material must be removed and any sharp edges smoothed.

2. Washing and drying with an etching gel.

3. Coating the tooth with a fine bonding layer. This is set with a special light at a certain wavelength.

4. Incremental layers of the composite bonding material are added until the new outline has been achieved.

5. Careful contouring and polishing of the new restoration.

6. Occlusal (bite) analysis and final aesthetic evaluation.

Here are the before and after photos:
 

Our case of the month for October involves composite bonding of the lower front teeth which were heavily worn and using a principle called the Dahl technique. This technique is not very well known but it is fantastic method for treating worn down teeth where there is no space to restore them. For example, when your front teeth wear down due to grinding, acid erosion, bad habits (biting pens, nails etc), there is often little space to restore the teeth using conventional fillings. In the old days, the teeth may have been cut down for invasive procedures such as crowns or veeners. The Dahl technique involves the careful restoration of the worn teeth directly or indirectly with little, if any, tooth preparation. This must be with precision so that the contact on the new restorations is in such a way that the unworn teeth can slowly re-position and make contact over time. Usually this takes 12-16 weeks to occur but what a concept! For example, just take a look at our case below:
 

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:
 

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: