Missing teeth can be an embarrassing and unsightly issue, especially at the front of the mouth. There are a number of options to replacing the space including a dental bridge.

A bridge is where the adajcent teeth are used to anchor the missing tooth. This may be an excellent option if the adjacent teeth require treatment with dental crowns to protect them or already have successful crowns which could be converted to a bridge.

The following case study demonstrates this exact scenario. A front tooth was lost due to gum disease which left a major cosmetic issue. After careful planning, a dental bridge was provided as an ideal solution to a tricky problem. Below are the before and after photographs.
 

We strongly believe in non invasive techniques to enhance smiles. Long gone are the days when teeth needed to hacked away with destructive techniques to provide a new smile. Modern day dentistry encompasses minimally invasive techniques which require no needles, no drilling and no pain! For example, our case study below wanted to close the gaps between the teeth. They were told that porcelain veneers would be required, which involved removing all the tooth enamel and many thousands of pounds. 

However, our Principal Dentist Dr Nissit Patel advised another solution; composite bonding. This involved no drilling, no needles and was far more affordable. In addition, the maintenance is simple and cost effective. There really are no downsides.
 

The only truly invisible dental brace is one which sits on the inside of your teeth. Lingual is Latin for 'towards the tongue' hence the name lingual brace.

This is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic brace. Kate Middleton even had her teeth straightened with lingual braces before the big day and Cheryl Cole wore lingual braces whilst judging on the X factor. However, lingual braces are not just for celebrities and A list stars, the treatment is available for all who wish to improve their smile discreetly. The brace can be attached to 6 or more of teeth. It depends on the amount of straightening required which is determined largely by an innovative analysis which can show us a predicted end result. A very popular technique for mild to moderate crowding cases is called 'Social 6'. This is because the brace is only applied to the front 6 teeth. This technique can be excellent for relapse after previous orthodontic treatment, where the teeth have started to drift out of position. Our case study below highlights such a case.
 

The latest version of Invisalign is now available. There are significant benefits of the latest version with greater applicability, predictability and usability. The great advantage of Invisalign braces are that they are removable. 

Therefore they will not have an impact on oral hygiene, which is crucial when undergoing orthodontic treatment but also in everyday life. They can also be removed for social occasions and work related activities for example. If you have thought about Invisalign braces in the past, there is no better time to join over 1.8million people worldwide and straighten your teeth with this fantastic system. 

If you have any questions on Invisalign braces, please contact Paula our Practice Manager at our Fulham dental practice on 020 7731 1162 . She is currently undergoing treatment with Invisalign and has experienced some fantastic results.

The event of the year is taking place today, the Royal wedding of Catherine and William. What you may not have realised over the past few months is that Catherine has been wearing lingual braces to straighten her teeth the totally invisible way. Lingual braces are fitted on the inside of the teeth and this means that they are the only purely invisible brace. The brackets have a special low profile so that they are comfortable and easy to wear. The added advantage of a fixed lingual brace is that you have peace of mind that the specially designed brace is constantly working. We undertake a full range of cosmetic lingual braces to create a new smile, form very simple alignment to more advanced corrections. Our specialist laboratory, Wired orthodontics, are experts in the field and provide a diagnostic set up model to show you the final anticipated results. This enable us to plan your case carefully to achieve the best results possible. A case below demonstrates a social 6 brace in action. The results can be seen very quickly.
 

Continuing on from our series of case studies, the next case involves dental implants to replace a full upper set of teeth. Dental implants are the gold standard in replacing missing teeth. They can be used to replace single, multiple or all missing teeth. A common misconception about dental implants is that it is a very invasive and traumatic procedure. With modern techniques and planning, the procedure can be done with minimal trauma. In fact a patient recently mentioned that he did not feel a thing during or after the procedure! We believe that removing a tooth is far more invasive that replacing it with a dental implant.

The case in question required replacement of nearly of all the upper teeth. There were some badly decayed teeth present and these were removed first. A new denture was then made which provided function and aesthetics that the patient was happy with. After careful planning using CT scans and virtual planning software, 6 Astra dental implants were placed. On top of these very secure implants, a fixed bridge was placed using the Astra Cresco Bridge system. This is a non removable bridge which provides excellent chewing ability and aesthetics. 

After years of having a constantly sore mouth, loose dentures and gum disease our patient regained his confidence and smile with a new set of dental implant retained teeth. The photographs underneath highlight the dramatic change:
 

We believe in creating beautiful smiles with non invasive measure whenever possible. Due to the advances in modern technology, achieving straight teeth quickly and comfortably is now a real possibility. In fact, many celebrities that you see on screen everyday are having cosmetic orthodontics. Did you know that Kate Middleton is completing a course of lingual braces, the truly invisible brace, just in time for the royal wedding?! There are many options to choose from and we will guide you to the most suitable ones.

One such example is Invisalign. This is a highly innovative system which is fully digital and uses clear plastic aligners which slowly guide the teeth into position. A highly sophisticated computer generated programme called 'Clincheck' will also show you the final anticipated result in a video format, unlike any other orthodontic system.

The advantages of Invisalign braces is that the aligners are removable which means that oral hygiene is easy to maintain. They are also virtually invisible to the human eye. Paula, our Practice Manager is currently mid way through treatment so feel free to ask her any questions you may have on Invisalign. Invisalign are changing their logo and branding soon. In line with this, we will soon be offering an unrivalled Invisalign Full Package. 

Watch this space for more details!

We are running a series of case studies to demonstrate the treatments and outcomes that have been achieved at Progressive Dentistry. Our first case was a long and complicated case involving failing crowns and bridges, which required a full upper arch rehabilitation. Initially the gum disease was treated by our Dental Hygienist and Therapist, Jenny Wiggins. This was done over a number of sessions with superb results. After all the failing crowns and bridges were removed, the patient wore a set of temporary teeth to allow the gums to heal and ensure that they could get used to the new design and bite. This was left for a period of 3 months. After full healing and adaptation, the temporary crowns and bridges were removed and a new set could be made. The difference in the gums and overall oral health was outstanding. The overall result was natural, aesthetic and met all of the patient requirements. 

Please view the series of photographs below: