One of our favourite techniques is the Social 6 lingual brace. This is a great technique for the cosmetic improvement of the front 4 upper or lower teeth. The brace is placed on the inside of the teeth, making this a truly INVISIBLE brace.The treatment times are often very quick, making this a short term treatment. So if you cannot stand the thought of metal train track brackets, using aligners (such as Invisalign) for 20-22 hours of the day, and you simply want to straighten your front 4 teeth, the Social 6 lingual brace could be for you. Here is a recent example of how the system works:
 

Our case of the month for April is an unbelievable smile makeover using a fixed metal brace. Our patient wanted to be able to smile for her wedding photographs and we were given a time span of just 8 months! Now the level of tooth crowding was quite severe and we were unsure whether the treatment could be completed in time. However, we did not need to worry. The treatment was complete ahead of schedule. We used high tec metal brackets which have minimal friction and allow quick alignment of rotated, crooked, displaced teeth. Just take a look at the before and after photos:
 

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:
 

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.
 

TOOTHBRUSHING AND ORAL HYGIENE

Oral hygiene is critical to the success of treatment. Please brush normally 2-3 times a day using a manual or electric toothbrush. It will be very difficult to floss your teeth but interdental brushes can still be used, which are very effective. The use of a mouthwash is advised on a regular basis, ideally containing fluoride. The latest developments in interdental hygiene include devices such as the Airfloss by Philips and Waterpik units. These are excellent adjunctive techniques and highly recommended for the hard to reach areas. They use a combination of pressure, air and water (or mouthwash) to flush debris away from the contact areas of the teeth.
 

PREVENTING TOOTH DECAY

Adhering to a sound oral hygiene regime coupled with the use of fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash will generally prevent any decay around the brace. However, you should also carefully monitor sugar intake throughout the day. High frequency of sugar throughout the day will increase the risk of tooth decay considerably especially when wearing braces. Now is the time to really cut down on those sugary snacks and drinks! We strongly advise using MI plus paste by GC. This is excellent at reversing early decay within the tooth enamel and will help to prevent decay or dimineralisation around the orthodontic brackets. Simply rub a small amount of the paste around the brace with your finger and tongue and discard the excess. Then leave overnight, do NOT rinse with water or mouthwash afterwards.
 

EATING 

It is important to adopt a soft diet for the first few weeks. This is especially important with lingual braces. Foods to avoid are:
 

• Hard crunchy foods such as crusty bread
• Sticky foods such as toffees
• Chewy meats
• Unpitted olives and stone fruits

If you have a tooth coloured brace, please avoid staining foods which could discolour the temporary elastics. These include:
 

• Curries
• Rich tomato based sauces with oil
• Beetroot
• Effervescent table drinks such as vitamin supplements and Berroca

LIP OR TONGUE IRRITATION

Braces can cause irritation to the tongue or lip after fitting. This will settle once you have become accustomed to the appliance. In the meantime, orthodontic wax or putty placed over the brackets can help to provide some temporary relief. We will provide this for you.
 

PAIN RELIEF

Due to the modern technology, there is much reduced pain compared to systems of the past. However, there may be some intermittent pain. Regular pain relief such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or a combination of both should be effective. If there is prolonged severe pain, please contact us. Of course, the most important aspect is that dental braces are temporary! Time will fly by and your teeth will be straight before you know it!

Our case of the month for January is an amazing smile transformation using cosmetic braces. One of the most satisfying aspects of dentistry is the completion of a long journey and seeing the transformation that can be made. Our case is an amazing transformation. Initially, the overall alignment and bite was very much out of position. A great deal of deliberation and planning is required for such complex cases- there is no need to rush! Here are the before photographs:
 

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:
 

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:
 

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: