Christmas is here and our opening times this year are: 

Tuesday 23rd December 0900-1700

Christmas Eve 0900-1300 Reception only

Christmas Day Closed

Boxing Day Closed

Saturday 27th 0900-1430 Reception only

Monday 29th 1000-1300

Tuesday 30th 0900-1300 Hygiene only

New Years Eve 0900-1300 Reception only

New Years Day Closed

Friday 2nd January Normal opening times resume

In the case of an emergency out of hours , please call us on 0207 7311162 and speak with our 24/7 reception. We will then call you back for advice even on Christmas Day! 

Have a fantastic Christmas and Happy New Year!

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!
 

We are delighted to announce that Dr Nissit Patel and Paula Ryan are finalists at this years Private Dentistry Awards for the Practice Principal and Practice Manager of the year. Being shortlisted is a fabulous achievement and we are delighted to make the finals once again for the third year in a row. 

We are extremely passionate about our chosen profession and work tirelessly to improve year on year to provide the very best in dental care possible. The awards nomination is a great honour and we are truly delighted. Fingers crossed for the big day!
 

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.
 

A missing tooth or teeth can be a major dental issue for most people with aesthetic and functional problems. This is not a good look at the front of the mouth but even from the side, a large gap can ruin a smile. Teeth are designed for a certain reason , whether that be for biting and tearing food ( front teeth) or chewing ( molars). The loss of even one tooth can impact on everyday eating habits and long term issues with the bite. For example, teeth will slowly move into the space left by an extracted tooth by either drifting in sideways or the opposing tooth moving up or downwards ( over eruption). This can dramatically impact on how one eats and damage the other teeth in the long term. The answer is to the replace the tooth in good time!

Most dental implants are made from titanium which is classified as a biocompatible material. However, reports have suggested that 0.6% of the population may have a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to titanium and this would not be a suitable material. Increasing, we are hearing that patients would like to avoid any form of metal within the mouth as a personal choice akin to not having amalgam fillings. This is perfectly acceptable and there is an alternative option with zirconia ( zirconium dioxide) implants. These are metal free dental implants that are white in colour and hence are aesthetically pleasing. We use zirconia a lot in dentistry and the material is routinely used for crowns on back teeth and crowns for implants. We have never come across an allergic reaction to zirconia nor seen any form of hypersensitivity. Zirconia is bioinert meaning it does not release any ions like some metals can which reduces the risk of an immune response.
 

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.