Our case of the month for November 2017 is one of our favourite treatments. This technique can completely transform your smile without the need for cutting teeth, without any injections, without any pain and it is affordable. We call it ABC. A is for alignment. Aligning teeth into the correct position is essential for cosmetic dentistry. Without correct alignment, a great smile cannot be achieved. We use a number of teeth alignment systems. In this case, a Social 6 lingual brace was used. This is an amazing brace and one that we have great experience with. B is for bleaching. Tooth whitening enhances a smile ten fold. Clean, fresh and white looking teeth illuminates a smile and radiates confidence. Our favourite system is the Philips ZOOM LED in chair whitening, which is simply astounding. C is for cosmetic bonding. As adults, often our teeth have been subject to wear and tear. This leaves them uneven at the edges which can be unslightly once they are straight. Composite bonding is a great option to enhance the smile without having to cut teeth down for porcelain veneers or crowns. Here are the before and after photographs:
 

One of our favourite treatments is cosmetic bonding. We can create stunning smiles in just one appointment, without drilling your teeth, without needles and without any pain. What's more, the treatment is far more affordable than porcelain veneers for example. What is involved? Cosmetic bonding can be explained in 5 simple steps:
 

1. Full clinical examination (of course!!)
2. Photographs and possibly a diagnostic wax up of the proposed new shape of your teeth
3. Mock up to visualise the end result
4. Cosmetic bonding completed using the latest high tech composite white fillings
5. Monitoring and maintenance

For the best result, we advise tooth whitening prior to cosmetic bonding. The gold standard is Philips ZOOM LED in surgery whitening followed by a period of home whitening. Please take a look at a recent case completed by our expert dentist, Dr Nissit Patel, on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Progressive-Dentistry

Our case of the month for August is one involving cosmetic bonding. In this case, the edges of the central front teeth were worn, chipped and almost transparent.

Cosmetic bonding is a technique that can repair fractured, uneven, chipped and spaced teeth using a non invasive adhesive process. There is virtually no drilling required, no need for needles and no pain!

What's more is that we have recently improved our bonding process using fluid abrasion. The bond strength using fluid abrasion prior to cosmetic bonding is greatly enhanced.

Just take a look at the before and after photographs:
 

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:
 

We are now well into 2015 and what better way to start the year than taking the first steps to a new smile. Our preferred smile makeover is as simple as ABC: A is for alignment - straighten teeth using discreet or invisible braces B is for bleaching- whiten teeth using or brand new Philips LED whitening system C is for cosmetic bonding- create symmetry by bonding the latest cosmetic composites to uneven edges, short or fractured teeth This technique is totally NON INVASIVE! We do not need to drill your teeth, you will not need injections and the process is virtually pain free. For example, please take a look at our case below:
 

Our case of the month for November involves cosmetic bonding of a front tooth. The tooth in question was treated after orthodontic teeth straightening. Once the teeth were nice and straight, the smile was significantly enhanced with our minimally invasive technique of cosmetic bonding.

A brief overview of the technique:

1. The tooth is cleaned and polished. Any old composite filling material must be removed and any sharp edges smoothed.

2. Washing and drying with an etching gel.

3. Coating the tooth with a fine bonding layer. This is set with a special light at a certain wavelength.

4. Incremental layers of the composite bonding material are added until the new outline has been achieved.

5. Careful contouring and polishing of the new restoration.

6. Occlusal (bite) analysis and final aesthetic evaluation.

Here are the before and after photos:
 

At Progressive Dentistry, we are advocates of non invasive treatment to produce the very best results. We believe that treatments kind to the teeth and gums will produce longer lasting, natural results yet still highly aesthetic. For example, this week in the Daily Mail, a double page spread on celebrities who have had their teeth done. This included Simon Cowell, Noel Gallagher, Cheryl Cole (sorry Fernandez Versini), Tom Cruise, David Bowie, Catherine Zeta Jones, Gordon Brown (yes, our ex Prime Minister), Mel C, Nicolas Cage, Demi Moore, Ronan Keating to name but a few. 

The key factor with all of these cases, was the use of porcelain veneers for the smile makeover. Whilst we agree that porcelain veneers can produce dramatic results within a few weeks, the fact remains that this technique requires heavy preparation of the underlying teeth. Therefore, the hardest tissue in the human body- tooth enamel- is completely destroyed. In the long term, there will be consequences. 

Why go for a quick fix when a non invasive solution will last for a life time? For example, take at look at our case below. Our patient hated her crooked front teeth. With the celebrity option, all of the tooth enamel would need to be stripped away for porcelain veneers. Crazy. We opted to straighten the teeth over the period of only a few months, and an amazing transformation was evident. Just take a look:
 

We strongly believe in the non invasive dentistry wherever possible. There are many benefits to a minimal approach such as:

1. Less invasion leads to healthier teeth and gums.
2. Less biological damage.
3. Less risk of complications.
4. Maintenance is simple and cost effective.
5. Less costly!
6. Natural results.

For example, just look at our case below with regards to a non invasive smile makeover: