With Valentines day fast approaching, what could be a better gift than straight teeth? With the advances of modern day cosmetic dentistry, straight teeth can be achieved in as little as 6 weeks. Yes, that is correct- 6 weeks! Dental braces do not need to be visible placed on the outside of the teeth.

At Progressive Dentistry we use lingual braces which are placed on the inside of the teeth, making them the truly invisible brace. We have a great current offer on the Social 6 lingual brace. This brace is placed only on the front 6 teeth with the aim of correcting the front 4 incisors- the cosmetic zone. For mild to moderate cases, teeth can be straightened quickly and discreetly.

Our offer at just £995 is incredible value and affordable for all. Why wait - contact us today and give the gift of straight teeth.

Our case of the month for June is a short term orthodontic treatment (STO) to correct the upper teeth. STO has become extremely popular as a cosmetic dental option due to the non-invasive approach and the speed of treatment. In the past, traditional cosmetic dental treatments involved cutting down the teeth for veneers or crowns. Orthodontic treatment would often take 18-24 months, However, although there is a still a place for these treatments, there are alternative options. Please take a look at our before and after photos:
 

Our case study today is on cosmetic bonding. For those of you who are unaware of the process of cosmetic bonding, here is a recap:

1. It is a completely NON-invasive treatment for chipped, fractured, spaced and uneven teeth.

2. It is additive i.e we bond to the natural tooth surface.

3. There is no need for any drilling of the underlying tooth. 

4. There is no need for any needles or injections.

5. It is far more affordable than traditional treatments such as porcelain veneers.

6. It is easy to maintain.

7. It is reversible. 

Just take a look at our photographs:
 

Our case of the month for March 2015 is a fantastic smile transformation using ABC. What is ABC? Simple: 1. A is for ALIGNMENT. The teeth are straightened using one of our adult orthodontic techniques. 2. B is for BLEACHING. Whitening is carried out using a take home kit or our new Philips Zoom LED in chair whitening. 3. C is for COSMETIC BONDING. Any chipped, uneven, rough edges can be restored with our tooth like adhesive bonding techniques. ABC is the non invasive smile makeover. There is no need for drilling away of healthy tooth enamel, no need for injections and there is no pain. What could be better? Take a look for yourself:
 

Our case of the month for December involves closing a gap between the front teeth. In the old days of dentistry, this may have involved cutting down teeth for porcelain veneers or having braces for 2 years. However, with modern day cosmetic dentistry and expertise, such cases can be treated in a few months without having to cut teeth. How? Well, it is simple. Careful planning and execution. Here is the case:
 

A very warm welcome to our 2014 Christmas Newsletter. This year has flown by and the festive season is now in full swing. If you are in the area please pop in and view our fantastic Christmas display. It has been a busy time for the practice with new advancements in the way we work, changes to the business structure and a new member of the team, Dr Deborah Philips. A milestone was reached this Autumn with my five year anniversary as Principal at the practice. 2014 also saw the incorporation of Progressive Dentistry into a limited company. I would like to reassure you that this does not affect the working of the practice in any way and I remain the sole Clinical Director. Dentistry has been in the headlines over the last few weeks, making mostly unpleasant reading. However, we would like to assure you that at Progressive Dentistry, we remain at the forefront of the profession and continually seek to improve our practice and services. Major recent advancements at the practice include:

1. The installation of new sterilisation equipment with data printing that verifies that correct temperatures and time frames have been reached for every sterilisation cycle.

2. New medical flooring within the surgeries which is anti bacterial, non-slip and hygienic.

3. The purchase of the latest technology in aqua abrasion, adhering to our key principle of minimal intervention in dentistry. This unit will allow us to remove tooth decay without drilling and often without anaesthetic!

4. New LED lights installed throughout the practice, which are energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

5. New dental implant equipment and systems.

6. Philips LED Zoom in-chair tooth whitening, which is now available (please see below).

I strongly believe in life long learning and have recently attended the American Academy of Implant Dentistry's Annual Conference. The emphasis was on digital dentistry with lectures given by some of the most renowned speakers in dental implants and packed full of ground breaking educational content. With the technology now available, there has never been a better time to consider dental implants to replace missing teeth.

On a personal note, after seven great years as a Clinical Teacher at Guy's Hospital I decided it was time to leave my post. I am however, remaining in the teaching profession having accepted a role with the postgraduate Master of Clinical Dentistry department at King's College Hospital. This is where I undertook my postgraduate training and I am delighted to be joining the team there.

I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The team and I look forward to seeing you in 2015. CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS Our Christmas opening hours are as follows: Monday 22/12/14 9am -5pm reception only Tuesday 23/12/14 8am-4pm Christmas eve 9am-12pm Christmas Day Closed Boxing Day Closed Saturday 27/12/14 Closed Monday 29/12/14 9am-5pm reception only Tuesday 30/12/14 8am-4pm New Years Eve 10am-4pm New Years Day Closed Friday 2/1/15 and onwards - usual opening hours.

If you require assistance out of hours, please e mail info@progressivedentistry.co.uk for immediate advice. 
 

WHITER TEETH IN ONE HOUR! 

We are delighted to announce the arrival of the latest Philips Zoom LED tooth whitening at Progressive Dentistry. We can now whiten your teeth in the dental chair in just 1 hour. The technology has advanced greatly, with patients reporting minimal sensitivity and fantastic results. If you want instantly whiter teeth for those Christmas parties, this is definitely the treatment for you! Our special introductory offer is just £499 and this includes the in-chair treatment as well as a full take home kit, which includes customised whitening trays, Philips Zoom whitening gel and toothpaste (worth £395) This special offer has a limited availability, so please contact us today to reserve your treatment.
 

MEMBERSHIP SCHEME

Joining our membership scheme is the best way to ensure consistent dental health whilst saving you money. Our Membership package includes: 
 

- 2 examinations. 
 

- 4 standard.

- 2 intensive hygiene appointments.

20% off all treatments including cosmetic, dental implants and orthodontics. All dental X rays (unlimited). All follow-up appointments after procedures. Emergency cover when abroad or within forty miles of home. Access to priority appointments- early morning, late evening and Saturday. The Progressive Dentistry membership works in partnership with Denplan. The monthly membership is just £25.13 from January 2015, what better way to start the New Year by protecting your dental health! To join, please contact our Practice Manager, Paula at paula@progressivedentistry.co.uk
 

HYGIENE TIPS 

At this time of year, it is difficult to abstain from the sugary treats that seem to be everywhere. Whilst obviously delicious, they also increase the risk of developing tooth decay. Here are some simple tips to minimise the potential damage:

1. Try to eat the sugary snack in one go rather than over a long period of time. This will reduce the amount of time your teeth are exposed to the sugar.

2. Clean your teeth afterwards using a fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash. Do not rinse with water afterwards, you will simply wash away the anti- cavity effect of the fluoride.

3. Clean in between your teeth at least once a day using floss, interdental brushes or even the new pressure washers. Philips have developed a great product for this, the Airfloss, which is available at the practice.

4. Sugar free chewing gum is recommended, especially after consuming acidic foods or drinks. This will increase saliva flow and help to neutralise acids.

5. For sensitive teeth, rub some sensitive toothpaste over the affected area and leave overnight. Repeat for at least ten days.

Needless to say, if you experience continued symptoms such as gum bleeding, sensitivity, pressure pain or throbbing, contact us as soon as possible.
 

DR DEBORAH PHILIPS

Dr Philips qualified at Paris Descartes University in 2012. Deborah and has dual nationality so she is able to discuss treatment plans in both English and French. Prior to graduating she spent the last term of her internship in Umeå University in Sweden. Deborah spent over a year in a practice in the Parisian suburbs whilst 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 HôHopitaux de Paris".

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:
 

If you have ever thought about straightening your teeth but have dreaded the thought of metal braces, then we have the solution - lingual braces. Lingual braces are placed on the INSIDE of your teeth so that no one will know that you are wearing an orthodontic brace.

The days of the 'Ugly Betty' type brace have long gone - invisible lingual braces are the future. One of the most popular types of lingual brace is called the Social 6 brace. This aims to straighten the front 4 (upper or lower) teeth in a matter of weeks. So if you are after a cosmetic improvement to your smile and do not want to wait for months or years for results, the Social 6 brace could be for you. For example, have a look at our case below. A wonderful result in just a few weeks:
 

Our case of the month for April 2014 involves the closing of a gap between the front teeth in only 3 months using invisible lingual braces. The before and after photographs speak for themselves: