As you may be aware, our ethos is based on minimally invasive dentistry. Preserving tooth and gum is key to a healthy mouth. Why remove what nature provided us with? In the past, tooth decay would lead to large amounts of tooth being cut away so that amalgam metal fillings could be packed into the cavity. When we say packed, this is exactly what we mean. Amalgam does not bond to tooth. Therefore the tooth has to be cut with an undercut- the base of the cavity being narrower than the top so that the filling cannot drop out. Of course, by doing this you have to remove healthy tooth. Crazy? We think so. Thankfully, dentistry has moved on and the term Minimally Invasive Dentistry or MI is becoming more popular. We have always believed in this philosophy and have ahead of the times in this regard. Finally, the profession is waking up to the fact that prevention is far better than 'cure'. A great example will now be discussed. Our patient presented with minor decay on the tooth surface of a molar tooth. The treatment is simple; remove the decay and restore the tooth. In the past, the top of the tooth would have been cut open and made deeper to accommodate a metal filling. This is pure madness. Modern techniques and adhesive dentistry mean that we can clean the decay using fluid abrasion ( a bit like jet washing) and then bond a flowable filling material to seal the area. This requires NO drilling, no needles and is completely pain free. Sounds too good to be true? No, it is the truth! Here are the before and after photos:
 

Our case of the month for October involves a smile transformation using multiple porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are very fine, intricate facings that are placed over teeth to improve the overall aesthetic appearance and symmetry. There are a number of reasons why porcelain veneers may be used which could be:
 

• Chipped, fractured front teeth
• Discolouration
• Spacing
• Reinforcement due to past root canal treatment
• Asymmetry such as small, peg shaped teeth

Our case of the month for September 2017 is a wonderful teeth straightening case using one of our favourite braces- Social 6 lingual brace. Lingual braces are placed on the INSIDE of your teeth which means it is the only invisible brace treatment available. Other techniques such as Invisalign or Six Month Smiles may say their treatment is discreet but there is only one truly invisible brace. Aside from this, most treatments are incredibly quick. We have found the average time to be 3-4 months. This really flies by and the brace is removed before you know it. Another huge bonus is that the brace is only placed on 6 teeth making it the smallest fixed brace on the market and therefore very comfortable. 

Here is a case we completed today:
 

For our French clients:

La premia”re consultation est l occasion de crÃer une relation de confiance patient-praticien, nÃcessaire à la rÃalisation des meilleurs soins possibles. Sauf situation d urgence, nous ne rÃalisons pas de soins pendant la première sÃance. Nous prenons le temps de vous examiner, de discuter avec vous de vos souhaits, d Ãtablir un plan de traitement et de vous l expliquer.

1) à votre arrivÃe, vous aurez à remplir un questionnaire mÃdical. Ce questionnaire est important pour nous, il nous permet de connaitre votre Ãtat de santà et vos traitements pour vÃrifier que vous ne courrez aucun danger pendant nos soins.

2) Vous serez invità à rejoindre la salle de soins, le dentiste discutera avec vous de la raison de votre visite.

3) La consultation commencera par un examen extra oral de la bouche.

4) Nous examinerons ensuite la cavità buccale ; Nous vÃrifierons l Ãtat de chaque dent, l ÃtanchÃità d une Ãventuelle restauration, la prÃsence de carie, de plaque, de tartre, de saignement, le niveau des gencives et du soutient osseux etc.

5) La prise de plusieurs radiographies nous permettra d Ãliminer ou de confirmer la prÃsence de carie ou autres problèmes.

6) L utilisation d une camÃra intra orale permet d enregistrer la situation initiale et de vous montrer sur notre ordinateur en fin de consultation les Ãventuels problèmes.

7) La prise de photographies à l aide d un appareil photo macro professionnel permet de fixer la situation initiale. Cette Ãtape est indispensable pour les patients qui souhaitent entreprendre des traitements orthodontiques ou esthÃtiques.

8) Une prise d empreinte est aussi rÃalisÃe pendant la première consultation avant tout traitement orthodontique ou avant tout traitement prothÃtique complexe qui peut nÃcessiter un avis extÃrieur au cabinet.

9) Dernière Ãtape, nous rÃalisons un diagnostic et nous vous prÃsentons notre plan de traitement en vous dÃtaillant les tarifs et le nombre de sÃances nÃcessaires à sa rÃalisation. C est en suivant systÃmatiquement et rigoureusement notre protocole que nous pouvons vous offrir les meilleurs soins dentaires.

Chez Progressive Dentistry nous prenons le temps de vous Ãcouter, de vous examiner, de dialoguer, de poser un diagnostic, de vous l expliquer, et de vous proposer les soins les mieux adaptÃs à votre cas.

Today is the 1st September and officially the end of Summer time. It's back to school time (we remember that horrible feeling with the school adverts on TV) and parents are buying shoes, trousers, pencil cases and lunch boxes. Anyway, please don't be too depressed. Think about how a new gleaming smile will enhance your mood for the dark days ahead.

With fantastic modern techniques and skilled dentistry, we can enhance your smile without having to cut your teeth, give any injections and painlessly. As an added bonus, these techniques are far less costly than traditional cosmetic dentistry.

One of our most loved techniques is ABC:

A is for alignment- straighten teeth quickly and discreetly

B is for bleaching- everyone deserves whiter teeth

C is for composite bonding- correct those imperfections with skilled sculpting and bonding

Here is a recent case completed by Dr Nissit Patel:
 

Our case of the month for August is one involving a Social 6 lingual brace for the lower front teeth. Our client really disliked the crowding with the lower front teeth and was desperate for a solution prior to her wedding.

The Social 6 lingual brace is attached to just the front 6 teeth acting on the front 4 teeth i.e the Social aspect of your smile. It is also placed on the INSIDE of the teeth and hence is the only 'invisible' brace. Due to the great technology of the brackets and wires and the skill of our Principle Dentist Dr Nissit Patel, we can straighten the front teeth in a matter of weeks rather than years. 

Just take a look: