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Oct 2014
8th
8th of October 2014

Advanced Dental Implants - Nobel Active Dental Implants

We are constantly striving to improve our services and use the the very best in modern technology and materials. Dental implants is a field where technology is constantly improving and the materials are evolving at a rapid rate. It is important to keep up to date, as not only will modern methods achieve great results but will also allow us dentists to treat cases that were not previously possible.

On such example is when there is very compromised bone quality to place a dental implant. This could be the case if a previous infection had reabsorbed the bone or when the adult tooth was removed, a section of the bone was fractured. In such cases, placing a conventional dental implant would be extremely difficult.
 

Nobel Active Implant

However, the evolution of the Nobel Active implant allows us to place dental implants in compromised sites with confidence. This is due to the unique design of the implant. Nobel Active is truly an implant like no other.

The implant body and thread design condense bone during insertion, leading to high primary stability even in compromised bone situations. This makes it ideal for immediate implant placement. What's more, the design of the placement technique enables us to adjust the implant position for optimal restorative orientation. Therefore if you have been told that you do not have good enough bone for dental implants, it is worth seeking alternative options.

Nobel Active could be for you.


Oct 2014
3rd
3rd of October 2014

The Complete Smile Makeover - No Pain, No Drilling, No Deedles, No Brainer!

At Progressive Dentistry, we are advocates of non invasive treatment to produce the very best results. We believe that treatments kind to the teeth and gums will produce longer lasting, natural results yet still highly aesthetic. For example, this week in the Daily Mail, a double page spread on celebrities who have had their teeth done. This included Simon Cowell, Noel Gallagher, Cheryl Cole (sorry Fernandez Versini), Tom Cruise, David Bowie, Catherine Zeta Jones, Gordon Brown (yes, our ex Prime Minister), Mel C, Nicolas Cage, Demi Moore, Ronan Keating to name but a few. 

The key factor with all of these cases, was the use of porcelain veneers for the smile makeover. Whilst we agree that porcelain veneers can produce dramatic results within a few weeks, the fact remains that this technique requires heavy preparation of the underlying teeth. Therefore, the hardest tissue in the human body- tooth enamel- is completely destroyed. In the long term, there will be consequences. 

Why go for a quick fix when a non invasive solution will last for a life time? For example, take at look at our case below. Our patient hated her crooked front teeth. With the celebrity option, all of the tooth enamel would need to be stripped away for porcelain veneers. Crazy. We opted to straighten the teeth over the period of only a few months, and an amazing transformation was evident. Just take a look:
 


Aug 2014
6th
6th of August 2014

New French Speaking Dentist At Progressive Dentistry!

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.


Jul 2014
23rd
23rd of July 2014

Cosmetic Dentistry- is it worth it?

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:
 


Jun 2014
6th
6th of June 2014

Metal Free Crowns- No Black Lines

If you have a dental crown, this article is for you. In the old days of dentistry, there were only a few types of crown. Namely: 

1. Metal crowns 

2. Gold crowns 

3. Porcelain bonded to metal crowns
 

Metal and Gold Crowns

Now metal and gold crowns have their place, but they do not look like teeth! Porcelain bonded to metal crowns were devised to overcome this problem and still provide adequate strength. Over the years, these have proven to be a great success on the whole. However, they still contain metal and all too often a black line would appear around the gum line due to gum recession (ever heard of the term 'long in the tooth'?
 

Metal Free Crowns

At Progressive Dentistry, we aim to use metal free crowns wherever possible. There are a number of metal free crowns now available which have certain indications for the area required. For example,
 

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns are extremely strong and durable with compressive strengths of 900MPa. These are excellent at the back of the mouth.
 

Empress E max Crowns

Empress E max crowns are highly aesthetic and are our choice for front teeth. Have a look at some photos:
 


Apr 2014
1st
1st of April 2014

Your Perfect Wedding Smile Starts Here

Are you getting married this year? Have you set the date? Would you like straight, white teeth for the wedding day? If the answer is yes, we can help! Depending on your desires, we can help you achieve a beaming smile for your wedding day. For example:
 

Clean Teeth

A dental hygiene visit is between 30-60 minutes, instantly providing a fresher, cleaner mouth and with full stain removal!
 

Teeth Whitening

The usual time frame for teeth whitening is just 2 weeks. However, for more advanced cases a few extra weeks may be required. Our preferred technique is the take home kit using Philips Zoom gel. 
 

Cosmetic Bonding

Composite bonding can be achieved in one visit- a new smile instantly.
 

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain or composite veneers require a time frame of at least 4 weeks from start to finish. In those urgent cases, we can speed things up to 2 weeks. 
 

Cosmetic Teeth Straightening

For mild cases, teeth alignment can be achieved in as little as 6 weeks! In general, it is wise to allow 4-6 months for treatment.
 

Advanced Teeth Straightening

For more comprehensive cases, a period of 8-14 months may be required so plan well in advance! 
 

Dental Implants

Missing teeth can be replaced using dental implants in as little as 3 months. However, there are instances when we can provide a new tooth in a day!

Whatever your needs, we have the answer. Why wait, to achieve the smile of your dreams in time for your wedding contact us today.


Mar 2014
20th
20th of March 2014

How Can I Straighten My Teeth Quickly And Discreetly?

One of the most common questions we are asked is how can I straighten my teeth quickly and without anyone knowing. Well, we have the answer- lingual braces. Here are some FAQs about lingual braces: 
 

What are lingual braces?

These are braces placed on the inside of the teeth, completely hidden from view. 
 

Are they suitable for me?

Lingual braces can be used for virtually any condition. 
 

Why are they not as readily available as conventional braces?

Lingual braces are technically more difficult as teeth have a different anatomy on the inside. The surface area is reduced and the enamel surface is very different. It is also far more difficult for the dentist to access the inside of the teeth and make the necessary adjustments-skill is required!
 

Can they be used just to straighten my front teeth

Yes, of course. A technique called Social 6 lingual aims to straighten the front 4 teeth only. The brace is only placed on the front 6 teeth so it is very small, comfortable and quick. 
 

Is it painful?

Remarkably, in most cases no. This is because the forces used are very light but constant. The forces also act in a different plane to conventional braces. However, the tongue may get caught and irritated by the brace and this can be sore! 
 

Will it affect my speech?

Yes. In most cases, there will be some lisping especially with 's' and 't' sounds. This usually resolves after a few weeks.
 

Will I be able to eat whatever I like?

No. It is advised that you stick to a soft diet for the first few weeks and then gradually eat harder, chewy foods as you become used to the brace. It is generally much more difficult to eat with lingual braces than conventional braces. 
 

How much do they cost?

This depends on each individual case. In general, lingual braces are more expensive than conventional orthodontics and are a premium product. For full mouth lingual hidden braces, prices start from £4000 upwards. 

If you have any questions on lingual braces, hidden braces, invisible braces then please do not hesitate to contact us. We provide a free quick consultation over e mail- just send us some photos of your teeth.


Mar 2014
11th
11th of March 2014

Cosmetic Dentistry Guide

Cosmetic dentistry involves many subjects and some of the terms can be confusing. Here is our simple guide to cosmetic dentistry.
 

Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening is the most popular form of cosmetic dentistry. If you have yellow, discoloured teeth and would like them whiter this is for you. Our preferred method involves using take home whitening trays and 6% hydrogen peroxide gel. We use Philips Zoom and Enlighten systems. These techniques are proven, safe and easily maintained. will not work on dental restorations such as crowns, veneers, bridges, implants and metal fillings. Areas of gum recession and abrasion will also not whiten. It is therefore very important that a dentist undertakes a full clinical examination prior to tooth whitening.
 

Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic bonding is the most conservative method of restoring fractured, chipped, small, uneven teeth. The technique is non invasive as highly aesthetic tooth coloured composite material is carefully layered over the teeth. Once placed, it is then contoured and polished to a fine lustre. The bonding will require maintenance over time with polishing, repair and eventual replacement. However, as the underlying tooth is the same there is no biological damage and the process can simply be repeated. In our experience, cosmetic bonding is the first choice to repair damaged teeth.
 

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are an excellent method of repairing a tooth if there has been heavy damage, severe discolouration or large existing dental fillings. They are the most aesthetic method of providing a new tooth surface. With the latest technology, porcelain veneers are undetectable from natural teeth. They often require preparation of the underlying teeth and for this reason, the technique is not the most conservative. In certain circumstances, porcelain veneers can be placed with minimal or no preparation. This is usually when the teeth are in a good alignment, with no crowding and point contacts. Our porcelain veneer of choice, is E-max by Ivoclar. If you have a gummy smile and the gum (gingival) margins are uneven this presents a major cosmetic issue. One simple method is to create symmetry of the gum line by using a soft tissue laser. This technique is very precise, delicate and allows fantastic healing of the area. However, careful analysis must be undertaken prior to any contouring to avoid invasion of the biological width. What is this, you may ask. Well, ask your dentist. Any dentist with experience and knowledge of cosmetic dentistry should know. If your dentist cannot answer this, then they should not be undertaking the procedure!
 

Teeth Straightening

Cosmetic teeth straightening is becoming the technique of choice prior to any of the above techniques. Moving the teeth in the correct position not only creates a beautiful smile but allows for far better dentistry in the future. Due to the advances in modern technology, teeth be straightened fairly quickly and discreetly. There are techniques such as lingual braces (placed on the inside of the teeth), ceramic braces (tooth coloured braces) and clear aligners such as Invisalign (removable clear braces). These all mean that the traditional metal braces can be avoided. Each person is different and hence each treatment will be bespoke. It is vital that a full clinical examination and assessment is undertaken prior to any treatment. There is no such thing as one size fits all. If your dentist only offers one option, seek a second opinion. One important point to mention is that when teeth are straightened, they must be retained. Our preferred method of retention is by using a fixed wire retainer placed on the inside of the teeth. A removable retainer can also be used at night to doubly ensure the teeth stay nice and straight.
 

Dental Hygiene

For any cosmetic dental technique, the health of the gums must be excellent. Prior to any treatment, a visit or two to the will not only make the teeth look better and improve the gum health but ensure that the future treatment will b successful. The presence of dental plaque is the main cause of failure in dentistry. The lower the levels of plaque bacteria, the less risk of biologic damage and the higher the success rate. Visits to the dental hygienist should be at least twice a year or quarterly for those who require greater maintenance.

We hope you have found this guide to be useful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: - Voted London's Best Practice Dentistry Awards 2013 Tel 0207 7311162 e info@progressivedentistry.co.uk


Mar 2014
4th
4th of March 2014

Dental Hygiene - Why Is It So Important?

Good dental hygiene leads to good overall health. It is as simple as that. There is now overwhelming evidence that links poor oral health and gum disease to many systemic illnesses such as cardiac disease, respiratory issues and diabetes. Therefore it has never been so important to visit the hygienist on a regular basis. We recommend that a visit to the dental hygienist should be at least twice a year.

If you suffer from gum problems or are undergoing major treatments with orthodontics or dental implants, then you will require additional visits. Not only will your teeth and gums feels fresh and healthy, you are also investing in your overall health. So why wait, contact our hygienist first thing in the morning and book your appointment.