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.
 

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!
 

Losing a tooth in the back of your mouth can feel frustrating. The lower premolars and molars—the teeth you use most for chewing—are especially important for eating, speaking, and keeping your smile healthy. When one of these teeth is lost due to decay, gum disease, or injury, it’s natural to wonder what the best replacement option might be.

While removable dentures and bridges may be an option , we generally recommend dental implants for replacing premolars and molars, especially in the lower jaw. Implants are small titanium posts that act like artificial tooth roots. They are placed into the jawbone and topped with a crown that looks and feels like a natural tooth. Below are the main reasons why implants are often considered the gold standard for replacing missing back teeth.
 

One of the most common causes of discoloured teeth is due to a 'dead tooth' or a tooth that is root filled. All of our teeth are supplied by nerve and blood supply. Now when a tooth needs a root canal treatment, this supply called the pulp is removed which can lead to the deposition of blood products within the tooth which is then absorbed by the tooth leading to a darker colour. On a back tooth, this may not have any major issue but on a front tooth is a different matter altogether!
 

Teeth can be lost for various reasons such as tooth decay, trauma, failed root canal treatments or periodontal (gum) disease. The loss of teeth can have a significant impact on not only everyday function but aesthetics and general confidence when out and about. Replacing missing teeth is vital as this will restore function ( eating is important!) , improve aesthetics and prevent the adjacent and opposing teeth from moving into undesirable positions. The latter is a particular problem if the teeth are not replaced for a few years as this will make any dental implant treatment far more complicated.
 

Our case of the month for April 2025 is a familiar one where there was some relapse after past braces and a front tooth had started to twist over the adjacent tooth. In the grand scheme of things, this is a minor issue but if you have already had braces and a front tooth starts to rotate, this is incredibly frustrating!

Now the good news is that we can correct this in a short space of time, with a discreet solution, with minimum fuss and at an affordable fee. The answer lies in the Social 6 lingual brace which is placed on the inside of the teeth making it the only truly invisible brace system. Please take a look at the before and after photos so see how it works.

A smile says a thousand words, as the old saying goes. However, if you never smile what does that tell us?

In most cases, hiding a smile means that one is embarrassed with their teeth and lack overall confidence. This is perfectly understandable and something we see on a daily basis. The good news is that a smile transformation is no longer an arduous process which costs the earth, as our case of the month highlights.