Patient information

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on correcting and straightening the position of your teeth and jaws. This is done through the use of orthodontic appliances such as braces and aligners.

An orthodontist is a qualified dentist who has undergone a further two to three years of specialist training in orthodontics. An orthodontist is qualified to create custom treatment plans with braces and clear aligners.

Yes we do. We offer a low-deposit, in-house plan spread out over a period of 12 months. If you wish to spread the payments even further, we deal with Medenta finance.

Each patient is unique, so we won’t know your exact treatment time until we assess your smile at your free consultation. On average, treatment varies between 12-18 months, but some smiles can be treated in as few as six months!

Yes, it’s important for your teeth to be healthy before you start orthodontic treatment, and you should see your dentist every 6 months during treatment. We will communicate with your dentist about the health of your smile.

Yes you can, but there may be a nominal fee. We are always happy to pass a copy of your x-ray to your dentist.

Yes we do! We are able to track the progress of your treatment from selfies you upload to the Dental Monitoring app on your smartphone. This means fewer check-ups and greater flexibility for your treatment.

No. You may have some mild discomfort for a few days after fitting and adjustment appointments as your mouth adjusts. Over-the-counter pain relief, such as Panadol, will help with this.

We will also provide you with some wax to place over any brackets that might irritate your cheeks until you are accustomed to them.

Yes. Dr Darsh Patel is registered on the General Dental Council (GDC) list of Specialist Orthodontists. All treatment is prescribed and overseen by Dr Patel.

You are never too old for braces. In fact, we offer many cosmetic options that are more appealing to our adult patients.

Dr Patel specialises in facial orthodontics that go beyond just straightening your teeth. He can use his expertise to help you achieve your very best facial appearance and help delay the ageing process.

Yes, we offer appointments on 2-3 Saturdays per month. We also offer late evening appointments on Mondays to help work around your schedule.

It is best for children to visit an orthodontist between the ages of seven and eight. They may not need treatment at this age, but we can monitor the growth of their smile to prevent issues as they grow. We are very happy to see your child before this time if you have a specific worry.

Not at all. We offer late evening and Saturday appointments and, with careful planning, appointments can be scheduled during school holidays.

We will provide you with a complimentary oral hygiene pack and full instructions on how to clean your teeth properly while wearing braces. It will take you a little longer than normal to clean your teeth, but you will soon get into a routine.

It is very important to take great care when cleaning, especially when wearing fixed braces, as food can get stuck in the appliance more easily.

If a bracket comes off or detaches from your tooth, please call us for advice on whether an earlier appointment is needed. If the bracket has come off the wire, please look after it and bring it along to the appointment with you.

If you don’t wear your retainer, your teeth could move back to their original position. This is why it is very important to wear your retainer as advised. We actually say that retention is the most important part of your overall treatment.

Clear aligners are a removable dental appliance made of clear plastic. They look a bit like thin sports guards, and are used to gradually move teeth without the need for metal brackets or wires.

Clear aligners are not routinely provided on the NHS. Depending on the complexity of your case and your age you may be eligible for fixed braces, but a clear aligner is likely to require private funding.

For those who are not suitable for aligners, other options may be available. We have traditional fixed braces and also lingual braces that are fixed to the back side of your teeth.

The risks of clear aligners are similar to traditional orthodontic treatment. These include soreness of the teeth, irritation of the gums, failure to achieve the desired result, and return of your teeth to their previous positions if you do not wear your retainers.

Moving your teeth will often shorten their roots slightly, and if you do not keep your teeth clean the tooth surface is at risk of decay. Please ask your orthodontist if you would like more details.

If your teeth are very crowded, teeth may need to be extracted. If only a small amount of space is needed to straighten your teeth, this can be achieved by filing down the sides of some of the teeth to make them a bit smaller.

Most cases do not require extractions or tooth filing.

You should wear your aligners all of the time except when eating, drinking (except for water) or brushing your teeth. This should be for 22 hours a day.

We will generally ask to see you every 6 to 12 weeks to monitor your progress, but this depends on the type of treatment you have and if you are using the Dental Monitoring app.

When you brush your teeth after each meal, you can clear your aliners using a toothbrush and cold water before reinserting them. You can also use special cleaning tablets to help.

It is normal to feel some minor temporary discomfort for the first few days of wearing each new aligner. This is due to gentle continuous pressure used to move the teeth. This discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief as needed until it goes away.

Speech isn’t usually affected by traditional fixed braces. With lingual braces and aligners, your speech can sometimes be affected for the first few days whilst your mouth adjusts to your new appliance. This usually resolves after 3-5 days.

The aligners are made of a clear plastic material, without any metal wires, so they are not very noticeable when you wear them. You may be asked to wear tooth-coloured attachments or elastics with your aligners, which can be slightly more visible.