Our case of the month for April 2023 involves ones of our favourite treatments; Invisalign Comprehensive to widen the smile. Comprehensive treatment means just that; we can correct all sorts of orthodontic issues such as tooth crowding, rotation, uneven levels, cross bite issues and narrow arch problems. The planning is always the key to success, not all Invisalign is the same! We spend a great deal of time planning treatment which is functional, aesthetically pleasing, biologically sound and easy to maintain. Invisalign comprehensive care gives us access to all of the above and is one of the best treatment modalities on the market.
 

Our case of the month for October 2022 was the laser treatment of the gum pigmentation due to genetic reasons.
 

Do you know what the one of the most common dental problems is in the United Kingdom? It's not cavities or gum disease. It's tooth wear! Tooth wear can be caused by a number of factors including acid erosion, bruxism (teeth grinding at night ), and poor oral hygiene. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes, treatment, cost, and prevention of tooth wear. We will also answer some common questions about this condition. If you have tooth wear, you must simply read this article.
 

The term root canal treatment often fills people with dread but the simple fact is that the procedure is one of the most common treatments in dentistry with the sole aim of preserving the tooth for everyday function. With the advances in modern technology, materials and equipment, the procedure is often pain free and quick especially for front teeth. One of the greatest improvements seen recently is the advent of 3-D CBCT scanning of a tooth prior to root canal treatment. This will show the number of roots, canals, location of infection and any strange anatomy that simply cannot be seen on a 2-D x ray. The root canal dentist, or endodontist, thus knows what to expect before even starting treatment. A game changer!
 

Article written by Dr Nissit Patel BDS MClinDent (Pros) 

I am often asked about various different dental treatments and one of them involves porcelain onlays. Most of my patients know about porcelain veneers but in general, porcelain onlays are not well known. I will attempt to explain the treatment in simple detail, with explanation on the procedure, what to expect, why they are beneficial and the fee scales involved.
 

After fitting your orthodontic appliance (brace), it is important to follow some simple but important instructions. We have also provided some useful information and advice regarding after care.
 

Our case of the month for February 2022 is one involving 2 dental implants to replace 3 missing back teeth. Dental implants are considered the gold standard to replace missing teeth but what are dental implants? Well, essentially implants are the replacements for the roots of the missing teeth. They provide the foundation to allow us to place new teeth on top. Simple? Not really! Dental implant treatment is complicated and requires a huge amount of training, experience and ongoing education. Of course, some cases are more complex than others but in general, here is our workflow from missing tooth to replacement:

1. Full case assessment and records including x rays and CBCT scans.

2. Diagnostic planning on digital software.

3. Manufacture of surgical stent.

4. Surgery - placing the dental implant(s) using the surgical stent.

5. Allow healing of 12 weeks.

6. Take new records.

7. Place implant tooth/ teeth ( try in stage needed for several teeth).

Our case had lost several teeth over many years which meant she was unable to eat on the right side of her mouth. By using 2 dental implants, we were able to provide 3 teeth by 'bridging' the gap. A lovely end result and the ability to chew again! Life changing? Maybe not but certainly life enhancing.
 

Our case of the month for September 2021 was a simply stunning one using ultra minimally invasive E max veneers. Our client disliked her front teeth composite bonding which had discoloured, worn and chipped over time. Although teeth bonding is a superb treatment, there are disadvantages compared to porcelain such as those mentioned above. Porcelain will not stain or change colour and it is far more durable than composite. However, in the past, porcelain needed considerable preparation to create space for the material which was a huge disadvantage. Today, material technology and modern techniques allow us to create beautiful veneers without having to cut teeth.

Our case highlights this, just take a look:
 

Over the years, Invisalign has transformed drastically to embrace digital technology and improve their product which is by far and away the best on the market (our opinion having used all of the copycats!). There are now several Invisalign products available to dentists which brings us to Invisalign Lite. The Lite version is specifically for mild to moderate crowding with treatment time frames of around 6-8 months. Within the package, there are 14 initial aligners to correct the main crowding issues. After this first set, we have the opportunity to fine tune any crowding using refinement aligners. As of October 2021, Invisalign Lite allows 2 sets of refinements of 14 aligners within each package. This provides us with ample scope for adjustments and minor corrections.