Have you heard about the best way to replace missing teeth — something that looks, feels and functions just like a normal tooth, and can restore your confidence when you eat and smile?

Dental implants are actually quite simple. They are small titanium posts which replace your missing tooth root. Due to their shape and material they form a permanent bond with the bone of your jaw, creating a fixed anchor for your new teeth. These strong, durable anchor points allow you to restore single teeth (crowns), multiple teeth (bridges) and even entire arches (dentures).

Why are dental implants so good?

• They look, feel and function just like normal teeth. Your teeth are held in place by their root, which is mimicked by the titanium implant. Our lab team creates a replacement tooth that looks identical to the rest of your teeth.
• Smile with confidence. Gaps and missing teeth can be hugely detrimental to confidence. People lose teeth for all sorts of reasons, through accident or neglect, and the consequences can last a lifetime.
• Significantly more comfortable than dentures. Dentures can wobble, have to be removed at night, and can cause pain if incorrectly fitted. Implants are fixed permanently to the jawbone — and can even be used to stabilise an existing denture.
• They can permanently replace missing teeth. Titanium allows bone to grow around it in a process called osseointegration, fusing the implant in place. With the right care, implants can last a lifetime.

A case treated here

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How are implants placed?

Your implant journey starts with a free consultation with Dr Merali, who will discuss everything about implants with you and examine your teeth. A CT scan or x-ray is used to assess the teeth and jaw properly — one factor being whether there is enough bone available. Dr Merali will determine whether you are suitable and whether implants are the best course of treatment for you.

Your next visit is the placement itself, where the implant is placed below the gum line using a quick and straightforward technique, under local anaesthetic. The whole process is designed to make you as comfortable as possible — if the thought worries you, have a chat with Dr Merali first to cover your concerns.

It takes just over three months for the implant to fuse with the bone, forming a stable foundation. Once fixed, it is restored with a crown, bridge or denture, hand crafted by experienced dental technicians to blend in with your smile.

How long do they last?

With the right care and attention, dental implants can last a lifetime, and Dr Merali will make sure you know exactly how to clean them.

What does it cost?

Our price includes everything — the placement, the implant and restoration with a dental crown. Prices may vary with the materials used, or if an implant-stabilised denture or bone grafting is required.

Book a consultation by calling 01384 637835, or get in touch.

When you hear the word "braces", you probably picture metal brackets and wires. Metal braces are popular because they're inexpensive and good at straightening teeth — but they can also be uncomfortable to wear and unattractive.

Clear aligners are the alternative: clear, removable braces. They're more comfortable than metal braces, you can take them out at any time, and because they're clear plastic no-one can tell at a glance that you're wearing them. Invisalign is one of the most widely used brands, offered by more than 98,000 dental professionals and used on over three million patients worldwide. It can treat minor crowding, spacing and orthodontic relapse.

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Your Invisalign journey

• Free initial consultation for existing registered patients. We scan your teeth with a digital scanner — about ten minutes, and quicker, more comfortable, less messy and more accurate than conventional impressions.
• Outcome simulator. Within a few seconds you'll see before and after images of what Invisalign could do for your smile, using AI.
• Your first aligner. Once you're happy, we have your first set made from that same scan, so treatment can start within a few days.
• Wearing them. Aligners are worn 22 hours a day, out only to eat and brush. You'll visit every few weeks so we can check progress. The average course is about 6 months.
• Retention. The final stage stops your teeth drifting back — known as relapse. All our fees include free retention and free teeth whitening.

Why clear aligners over traditional braces?

• Nearly invisible — you don't have to worry about people noticing them.
• Removable at any time — easier to eat, and easier to clean your teeth properly.
• Comfortable and easy to use — smaller than traditional braces and made of plastic rather than metal.

Includes a free initial consultation showing before and after images (existing patients only), teeth whitening and removable retainers. Mild to moderate cases only.

Shade guide shown for patient reference only. Actual shade assessment is performed in the practice.

Philips Zoom is part of a generation of whitening treatments that make it faster, safer and simpler to get white teeth, partly thanks to the unique formula of its whitening gel. We provide Zoom at-home whitening, so you whiten your teeth yourself at home and see results in just three days.

What is the procedure like?

• At an initial appointment the dentist discusses your needs, checks you're suitable, and takes an impression of your teeth. Your customised trays are made from that impression.
• At your second appointment the dentist checks the trays fit comfortably and shows you how to apply the gel properly.
• You wear the trays for one to eight hours a day — depending on the strength of the gel — for the next one to two weeks.

How soon, and how long?

You'll see results after three days, with optimal results within one to two weeks. Philips Zoom can make your teeth up to six shades whiter. Teeth stay white for roughly six to twelve months, after which they gradually return to their previous colour, so we recommend a top-up every six months. Avoiding staining foods and drinks such as coffee and tea prolongs the effect.

Do I have to sleep with the trays in?

Not unless you want to. With NiteWhite you wear the tray overnight; this is more comfortable for some patients. With DayWhite you wear it for an hour a day, reaching optimal results within 2 to 3 weeks.

Our patients tend to prefer Philips Zoom to other at-home treatments, largely because it causes less sensitivity to teeth and gums.

Whitening is also included in the fee for Invisalign Go treatment, and in Care Plan (Essentials) category D.