Here are some common questions we are asked that might help but our team are always on hand if you want to call us on 020 8399 6333.
While every treatment is unique at SmartDontics Orthodontics, they all follow the same general process. Here are the seven steps you can expect when you start your smile journey at our Surbiton practice.
Every smile journey starts with a free consultation. We will use this consultation to get to know each other and conduct a visual assessment of your smile. We will also discuss the results you would like to achieve and what type of orthodontic treatment you are interested in.
This consultation is designed to be an informal chat. It is a chance for us to help answer any questions you might have with regards to treatment, finance and anything else you might want to know.
Before we provide you with your custom treatment plan, we need to do a thorough SmartDontics Smile Analysis. We use the very best technology to get an overall picture of your dental health, which includes:
Based on the information we receive from your Smile Analysis, we can create your 100% bespoke treatment plan. Please note that there is a fee for the SmartDontics Smile Analysis that will be deducted from the overall cost of your treatment if you decide to proceed.
After your SmartDontics Smile Analysis, Dr Darsh Patel will create a completely bespoke treatment programme for you. If you are excited to start the proposed treatment, we can sign you up and get you scheduled for your fitting appointment!
It’s finally time to start your orthodontic treatment. During your fitting appointment, we will give you your first set of aligners or fit you with your fixed braces. If you haven’t met Dr Darsh Patel yet, rest assured he has been planning and monitoring every step of your treatment so far!
In fact, you can keep in touch with him all through treatment using the Dental Monitoring app.
We will ask you to download the Dental Monitoring app to your iOS or Android smartphone.
Next, we will show you how to follow the instructions in the app to take regular photos of your smile. Dr Darsh will regularly check in to make sure your progress matches up with your treatment plan.
If everything is progressing as planned, we won’t need to schedule appointments for you at the practice. You can continue your treatment from wherever you are! Meaning no lost time at work or school.
You can also send and receive messages about your treatment through the app, so if you have any questions for us, our expertise is just a quick click away!
The VPro+ is a clinically proven way to speed up your treatment using high frequency vibrations. The hands-free device encourages your teeth and jaw to move into proper alignment up to 50% faster!
To use the VPro+, you simply bite down gently on the device while wearing your aligners. The VPro+ will slowly ramp up to full vibration and will automatically shut off after just 5 minutes. It’s as simple as that!
After you complete your treatment with braces or aligners, we will remove your appliance and unveil your beautiful new smile. Dr Darh will check on your results and teach you how to look after your smile.
Dr Darsh will meet with you to check your new smile and explain how to look after it.
A lot of patients decide that this is a good place to conclude their treatment. They have achieved the beautiful smile they always dreamed of. Perfect, they can skip straight on to Step 7.
Others may want some signature finishes.
Most of our patients are happy with their smile when they have finished their orthodontic treatment, but others want a little more! We can provide our SmartDontics Signature Finishes to complete the smile you’ve always wanted.
This may mean making your smile a little brighter with teeth whitening treatment, BlancOne. Or we can close little lines or gaps with our own finessed techniques similar to composite bonding.
At SmartDontics we provide straight smiles for life. All patients are provided with custom retainers to help them keep their stunning smile results.
We even have a Retainer Club! For a monthly fee we provide you with:
Here are some common questions we are asked that might help but our team are always on hand if you want to call us on 020 8399 6333.
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses specifically 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.
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.
Yes you do. It is very important to be dentally fit before we carry out your orthodontic treatment. You should still see your dentist every 6 months during treatment, and we will be in communication with your dentist throughout your treatment process to ensure the health of your teeth.
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.
We treat many patients with clear aligners. So many, in fact, that we have been awarded for it. This industry-awarded recognition reflects our experience with these virtually invisible aligners.
If you are not suitable for treatment, we offer various other cosmetic and invisible braces so you can achieve the straight teeth you’re after.
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 your braces have been fitted. This is simply because the teeth are starting to move. 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. He is trained to the highest level in facial orthodontics, which means his treatments go beyond just straight teeth and has won many awards.
Here at Invisibrace, we work together with a team approach which is very beneficial to our patients, enabling more convenient appointments. All treatment is prescribed and overseen by Dr Patel.
It is very rare for Damon® braces to affect your speech. If you opt for lingual (behind the teeth) braces, you may lisp slightly until you become accustomed to them.
You are never too old for braces. In fact, we offer many cosmetic options that are more appealing to our adult patients. If you have overcrowding issues, spaces between your teeth, or are not happy with your jawline or bite, we can work together to address your needs.
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.
On average, 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.
These are temporary glass Ionomer cement build ups that can be blue or white. We place them behind your top front teeth or on the biting surface of your back teeth. They can be used for opening the bite or stopping your teeth from knocking into your lower brackets. They wear down gradually and can be removed at any time.
Contact us, or schedule an appointment with our helpful team.
Book a free consultation with the friendly SmartDontics team in Surbiton today to get started.
