The Questions We Get Asked, Answered

No. At no point in implant treatment are you sent out with nothing to smile with. For a full arch, what you wear while you heal depends on your pathway. Staged Treatment gives you a removable temporary denture to wear once the failing teeth are out. On Premium Guided Zirconia or Same-Day Fixed Teeth, fixed provisional teeth can go in on the day of surgery, provided it's clinically suitable for you. ¹ Healed Foundation patients normally come to us with an arch that has already healed, and many are wearing a full denture already, which keeps doing its job while the implants settle. If you're having a clip-in denture, the one you already own keeps going until the implants are ready to carry it. A single missing front tooth gets a temporary tooth to fill the space while the implant knits to the bone. Towards the back of the mouth, the gum simply heals over a small cap that is hardly visible when you speak or smile, though we can usually provide a temporary there as well if the gap troubles you.More on Dentist near Arbroath ›

Looked after properly, an implant can serve you for decades, and plenty of people keep theirs for the rest of their life. The crown sitting on it is another story: chewing wears it day after day, so it may need replacing at some stage. The things that cut an implant's life short are largely in your hands, above all smoking, infection in the gum surrounding it, and missing the hygiene appointments where small problems get spotted. If you grind your teeth, the crown may chip or loosen over time, which is why we often suggest a night guard.More on Dentist near Newport-on-Tay ›

No upper limit exists; your health matters, your age doesn't. What we weigh up is your general medical picture and any medication, the amount of bone available in your jaw (which your CT scan reveals), and whether you or a helper can keep the area properly clean. Certain conditions and medicines, osteoporosis tablets or poorly controlled diabetes for example, call for extra thought at the planning stage, and we'll talk these through with you. For younger patients, implants have to wait until jaw growth is complete, typically at 18 or a little after.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

Quite often, yes. Being told your bone is lacking doesn't automatically close the door on implants. Our in-house CT scan measures bone height and width in three dimensions, giving far more information than a flat X-ray ever could. Depending on the findings, the solution may be a shorter or narrower implant, implants tilted into denser bone (a common approach in full-arch treatment), or grafting new bone, from £535. Should the scan show implants genuinely aren't a sensible option, we'll be honest about it and discuss bridges or dentures with you instead.More on Dentist near Carnoustie ›

Not while it's being done: local anaesthetic numbs the area completely, so you'll feel pushing and a bit of vibration but nothing sharp. When your plan includes a 3D-printed guide, the opening in the gum is often very small, which makes the days afterwards more comfortable. Most people manage with paracetamol or ibuprofen over the first two or three days, and after a single implant many people return to work a day or two later. If it's the thought of being in the chair that worries you, IV sedation can be arranged for £500 a session.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

Yes. Implant treatment at our Broughty Ferry practice includes a 5-year guarantee for non-smokers who attend hygiene visits every 3 months. The conditions attached aren't arbitrary: smoking and inadequate cleaning are the two main reasons implants run into trouble, and routine hygiene appointments pick up problems while they're still small. Before any treatment begins, the precise terms are set down in the consent form you sign, so nothing comes as a surprise later on.More on How We Work ›

We place MegaGen AnyRidge implants, a system whose implant surfaces carry the CleanImplant Trusted Quality seal for cleanliness (the seal applies to the implant itself rather than to our practice). Every case is first planned by our implant dentist on the CT scanner we have on site. If a surgical guide is part of your treatment (for a full arch, that's the Premium Guided Zirconia pathway), a 3D-printed guide is produced from the plan, and MegaGen's R2 guided surgery system follows it, steering the drill so each implant lands precisely in its planned position. Staying with a single well-established system also means replacement parts remain easy to obtain for many years.More on Dentist near Carnoustie ›

From £2,605, a single implant and crown covers placement using a 3D-printed guide, the connecting abutment, the crown itself, your review appointments during healing and a 5-year guarantee for non-smokers who attend hygiene visits every 3 months. ² Extras that only certain patients require are charged separately: the CT scan (£160), bone grafting, taking out the failing tooth, or IV sedation. Every one of these is listed in your written plan before you commit. After you've agreed, the total doesn't move.More on Dental Implants ›

The great majority of implants heal uneventfully, but as with any operation there are risks, and we'd rather you heard them from us than read them elsewhere. Some swelling, bruising and soreness for a few days is normal. Now and then infection develops, or the implant fails to fuse with the bone; in that case it comes out, the area heals and a replacement can usually go in later. Damage to a nerve or the sinus is rare, and because we plan on a CT scan we can see those structures and steer well clear of them. Smoking, gum disease that hasn't been treated and poorly controlled diabetes each increase the chance of something going wrong.More on Dental Implants ›

Treat it like a natural tooth: brush twice daily and use an interdental brush of the right size once a day to clean around it, including beneath any implant-supported bridge. If the little brushes feel awkward, a water flosser is a useful alternative. The gum surrounding an implant can become inflamed (a condition called peri-implantitis), and left unchecked it can slowly erode the bone. Regular appointments with our hygienist allow the area to be examined and cleaned thoroughly, and Airflow cleaning is kind to implant surfaces. For clenchers and grinders, a night guard (£210) keeps the crown safe from chipping.More on Dental Implants ›

Whether fixed teeth can be fitted on surgery day rests on two things: how good your bone is, and how steady each implant is once it's in. ¹ Dr Sharma weighs both up beforehand from your CT scan and tells you at your consultation how likely it looks, but stability can only truly be measured during the operation, so same-day teeth can't be guaranteed until the implants have been placed. If fixed teeth on the day turn out not to be clinically appropriate, your written treatment plan already describes the other route, covering how you'll heal and how your teeth will be restored, so you know in advance what would happen instead. Your pathway fee stays exactly as quoted if that happens.More on Dentist near Carnoustie ›

Per arch. Every full-arch fee covers one jaw, upper or lower, and there are four pathways to choose between. Healed Foundation is £9,300, Staged Treatment is £11,500, Same-Day Fixed Teeth is £13,500 and Premium Guided Zirconia is £14,950. ² Treating both jaws means two arch fees, which your written plan adds up into a single total, together with anything quoted separately, such as sedation, more extensive bone augmentation or the optional zirconia upgrade on Healed Foundation (£2,500 an arch), so you see the full figure before treatment begins.More on Dentist near Carnoustie ›

Ferry Smile Studios at 196 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry DD5 2AH, where our implant dentist plans and places implants with the help of our own CT scanner. A single implant and crown starts from £2,605, while a full arch begins at £9,300 for each jaw. Your first consultation costs nothing, with a £40 deposit returned within 7 days of attending. Your scan, your 3D plan and the placement of MegaGen AnyRidge implants, guided wherever your plan calls for it, are all handled in the same building, and we see patients from Monifieth, Carnoustie, Arbroath and Forfar as well as Broughty Ferry and Dundee.

At our Broughty Ferry practice a single implant and crown begins at £2,605, which includes the guided placement, abutment and crown together with a 5-year guarantee for non-smokers who attend hygiene visits every 3 months. ² Fees vary widely across Scotland, and a headline price doesn't necessarily cover the crown, so check precisely what any practice's figure includes. A CT scan (£160) or bone grafting, where needed, is charged separately and set out in your written plan.More on Dental Implants ›

Here at Ferry Smile Studios, 196 Brook Street, in the heart of the Ferry, we provide dentures held by implants: they clip on, so there's no shifting when you're eating or talking. Our implant dentist uses our CT scanner to plan where each implant goes, then places them with a 3D-printed guide, typically four for an upper denture and two for a lower. There's no charge for the consultation, and your existing denture stays in use while the implants heal. Each stage is explained on our implant-retained dentures page.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

At our Broughty Ferry practice, implant-retained dentures start from £8,500 for each jaw. ² What you end up paying rests largely on which jaw is involved and the number of implants required: a lower denture is generally held by two, an upper by four. If a CT scan is needed, that's £160.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

A lower denture can usually be secured on two implants, whereas an upper typically calls for four. Upper jaw bone is softer and less dense, which means the chewing forces need spreading over more implants to keep everything stable. Your CT scan settles the exact number in your case. Occasionally a lower denture is designed around more than two, for example where the bone is slender or the bite is unusually strong.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

No. A new denture is made for you, with the clip housings built in from the start. Converting an old one seldom produces a precise, durable fit, and ageing acrylic has a habit of cracking around the attachments. That said, your present denture still earns its keep: you'll wear it during the healing period, often with a soft temporary liner, and many people hang on to it afterwards as a back-up.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

Neither is right for everyone. The clip-in denture costs less and is taken out to clean; fixed teeth remain in place and feel closer to natural teeth. Implant-retained dentures start from £8,500 for each jaw, resting on two to four implants, and fixed full-arch teeth from £9,300 for each arch. Fixed teeth sit on four implants, or on anywhere from four to six if you're on the Same-Day Fixed Teeth or Premium Guided Zirconia pathway. ² The fixed option demands more bone, or implants angled to compensate, plus a little more work keeping the underside clean. What your scan shows, what you want to spend and how you feel about removing teeth at bedtime all come into the decision, and we'll set the two options out side by side when you come in for your consultation.More on Dentist near Tayport ›

Take it out twice a day, morning and night, to clean it, and with it out, give your gums and the implant heads a brush as well. Use a soft brush and a non-abrasive cleaner on the denture itself, not ordinary toothpaste, which leaves scratches in acrylic. Inside the denture are small nylon inserts that grip the implants; these wear down over time and are replaced at a routine appointment once you feel the grip slackening, usually about once a year. Routine appointments with the hygienist help keep the gum surrounding each implant healthy.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

It's an unhurried appointment of conversation, examination and planning, with no treatment carried out that day. We'll ask what troubles you about the gap, or the teeth you've lost, and run through your medical history and medication. Our implant dentist then examines the space, the gum and the way your teeth bite together, and where a CT scan is required arranges one (£160), so you can see your own bone on the screen. By the time you go home you'll have a written plan, the options open to you and a fixed fee. The appointment itself is free apart from a £40 deposit, refunded within a week, and there's more on our implant consultation page.More on Dentist near Newport-on-Tay ›

No. You can arrange an implant consultation with us yourself. If your own dentist holds X-rays or notes, it's helpful to bring copies. Many patients keep their usual dentist for examinations and come to us only for the implant work, which is perfectly fine. We'll happily copy your treatment plan to your dentist, if you'd like, so they're aware of what has been done. A dentist wishing to refer someone can do so through our referrals page.More on Dentist near Monifieth ›

Yes. You'll go home with a written plan that sets out the complete fee for your treatment. Everything your case requires is itemised, whether that's an extraction, a temporary tooth or a bone graft, so there's nothing to be added on afterwards. From the moment you decide to proceed, the fee is locked in. If you're weighing up quotes from elsewhere, make sure the other figure covers the abutment and crown as well as the implant itself, because ours does.More on Dentist near Newport-on-Tay ›

Yes. Like every implant consultation, a second-opinion appointment is free. Bring along anything you were given by the other practice, whether X-rays, scans or a written quotation, and we'll review it next to our own CT scan. If you've been told your bone is insufficient, the 3D scan reveals exactly what you have, and treatment is sometimes made possible by grafting or by angling the implants. You'll get our honest opinion, even if that's simply that the original plan was a good one. See our second opinion page for details.More on Dentist near Carnoustie ›

Our implant dentist places every implant here. Each case is planned on our own in-house CT scanner, which shows the bone, nerves and sinuses in 3D before anything is done. Where your treatment includes a surgical guide, as the Premium Guided Zirconia full-arch pathway does, the implant is then placed with MegaGen's R2 guided surgery system through a 3D-printed guide produced from that plan. In other words, the dentist who plans your implant on the screen is the same person who places it in your mouth. Our team page introduces everyone who works here.More on Dental Implants ›

No. Sedation through a vein isn't a general anaesthetic: you stay awake, just profoundly relaxed. You'll be able to respond to questions and follow straightforward requests, although the time passes quickly and most patients recall very little of it afterwards. The tooth is still numbed with an injection in the usual way, and a small finger clip monitors your pulse and oxygen levels throughout. You'll find more detail on our sedation page.More on Sedation ›

Yes. An adult you trust must collect you and stay with you until the evening. Even once you feel normal, the sedative stays in your system for hours, so for the following 24 hours there's no driving, cycling, alcohol, operating machinery, sole charge of small children or signing important documents. Without an escort we'd have to rearrange, so tell us as early as possible and we'll sort out a different date.More on Nervous Patients ›

No. We reserve sedation for treatment, not routine examinations. At £500 per session, with £250 added for every additional 30 minutes, IV sedation is best suited to longer or more complex procedures. If it's the examination itself that makes you anxious, say so when booking: we'll book a longer appointment, talk you through every step before it happens and pause the moment you ask. Our page for nervous patients describes the other things that can help.

Begin by phoning 01382 477350 or sending a WhatsApp message to 07984 709110, and let us know roughly how many years it's been and how the idea of coming in makes you feel. Your first visit can be nothing more than a conversation, with no need to go near the chair, if that would help. Many people across Broughty Ferry and Dundee have left it a long time, and you won't be lectured by anyone here. After we've had a look, we'll sort everything into order so you can see what needs attention now and what can safely wait.More on Dentist near Tayport ›

Then we stop. We'll agree a signal before we begin, usually a raised hand, and the moment you use it, everything stops. You can sit up, have some water and explain what triggered it, and we won't restart until you say so. If you think panic is likely, it's worth asking about IV sedation, which blunts the fear for most anxious patients.More on Nervous Patients ›

Yes. IV sedation can be arranged for treatment appointments, charged at £500 per session. A thin needle is placed in a vein, usually on the back of the hand, and within a few minutes the medication settles you, while the tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic as normal. We don't offer sedation for examinations; for those we take things slowly, explain each step and let you set the pace. We check your medical history first, because sedation isn't suitable for everyone, pregnancy and certain breathing conditions being two examples.More on Nervous Patients ›

Twice a year suits most adults, though a three-monthly clean is right for some. The shorter interval is right for anyone under treatment for gum disease, and for those with implants or fixed full-arch teeth, since plaque gathers around them fast. Our hygienist will suggest a schedule after seeing how your gums respond, and it can be eased off later if they remain healthy. Our membership plans include either two or four Airflow appointments each year.More on Hygiene and Air Polish ›

Airflow uses a fine spray of warm water, air and a very fine powder to remove plaque and stains from the teeth with no scraping involved. It gets into tricky places like around brace wires, under bridges and beside implants, and most patients find it gentler than a traditional polish. An Airflow hygiene appointment lasting 30 minutes is £100, or you can add Airflow to a standard clean for £30. Both of our membership plans include it.More on Hygiene and Air Polish ›

Usually not. You'll notice scraping and some pressure, and the whole thing takes roughly half an hour. Gums that are swollen and tender can be sore, particularly after a long gap, in which case we can numb the area beforehand or spread the cleaning across two appointments. Let our hygienist know if anything hurts and they'll change their approach; Airflow polishing is also far kinder than the gritty paste you may remember from years ago. Once the inflammation settles, usually within a few days, gums tend to feel a great deal better.More on Hygiene and Air Polish ›

Gums that bleed are most often a sign of gingivitis, an inflammation triggered by plaque collecting along the gum line. Counter-intuitive as it sounds, the cure is to keep brushing, gently, and clean between your teeth each day, rather than steering clear of the tender areas. If a fortnight of better cleaning hasn't stopped the bleeding, book in with the hygienist, because tartar that has hardened can't be removed with a toothbrush. If the bleeding comes with teeth that feel loose, gums that are receding or a bad taste in the mouth, have it looked at sooner.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

At the early stage, yes: gingivitis resolves fully after a professional clean and consistent care at home. Periodontitis, the advanced stage, has no cure, because the bone it has eaten away around the teeth never regrows; that's why teeth can appear longer, or little black triangles open up, once the gums settle down after treatment. What's possible is stopping it in its tracks with deep cleaning beneath the gum line and holding it steady for the rest of your life with three-monthly maintenance, which keeps your teeth in place. If you smoke or have diabetes you'll need closer monitoring, since both make the disease harder to keep in check.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

A 30-minute appointment with the hygienist is £70, rising to £100 when Airflow polishing is included. Where more time is needed, a 60-minute deep clean costs £130, or £117 for members of a plan. Both Plan A (£24.10 monthly) and Plan B (£40.16 monthly) include your routine hygiene appointments as well as your examinations. The full list is on our fees page.More on Dental Plans ›

Periodontitis treatment at our Broughty Ferry practice costs £100 for each of four stages. ² Less advanced problems may need nothing more than a hygiene appointment (£70) or an hour-long deep clean (£130). Those on a dental plan pay £90 per stage, with their routine hygiene appointments already included. Before anything starts your gums are measured and X-rays taken, and we then explain exactly what's needed; see our gum disease treatment page.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

Deep cleaning is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you'll be aware of pressure and scraping without any pain. The gums may be tender for a few days afterwards, and the teeth can remain sensitive to cold for a few weeks as the roots settle, particularly once the swelling subsides and the gums tighten up. Using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth helps during that period. Ordinary hygiene appointments rarely need anaesthetic, and Airflow is kinder than conventional scraping.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

Once every three months, for the first year or so following gum treatment at the very least. This isn't about selling appointments: the bacteria responsible for periodontitis re-establish themselves beneath the gum in roughly three months, and regular visits disrupt them before harm is done. Should your gums remain stable, the gap between visits can sometimes be lengthened. Plan B provides four hygiene appointments a year, which matches this pattern.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

Yes, as long as the disease has been treated first and is being kept under control. Implants put into a mouth where gum disease is still active are far more likely to pick up infection around them and be lost. With the gums healthy again, the same three-monthly hygiene routine looks after your remaining teeth and your implants alike. That's one of the reasons our 5-year guarantee for non-smokers who attend hygiene visits every 3 months is conditional on keeping up regular hygiene visits.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

Yes. Unhealthy gums are one of the most frequent reasons breath stays stale however thoroughly you brush, and it's particularly likely if your gums bleed as well or you're aware of a nasty taste. Bacteria living in the pockets beside diseased gums give off sulphur compounds that have a distinct smell, and mouthwash covers them up for only an hour or two. Treating the gums generally sorts it out, along with interdental cleaning and a daily brush of the tongue. The other causes are explored in our guide to bad breath.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

A good crown typically serves for 10 to 15 years, and many go on well past that. It's seldom the crown itself that fails first; more commonly decay creeps in at the margin of the tooth beneath, the gum pulls back, or heavy grinding fractures the ceramic. Daily cleaning between the teeth, regular examinations and a night guard if you grind all extend its life. When a crown does begin to fail, the X-rays taken at your routine examination usually catch it at an early stage.More on Dental Crowns ›

Ferry Smile Studios on 196 Brook Street fits ceramic crowns from £675 for molars and premolars and from £750 for front teeth. ² Rather than putty impressions, we scan the tooth digitally with the iTero Lumina, which most patients find a great deal more pleasant. Two appointments are usually needed: the first to shape and scan the tooth and fit a temporary, the second to cement the finished crown. Crown work is carried out by our general dentists.More on Dental Crowns ›

What decides it is the amount of sound tooth left: a small cavity can be filled, whereas a tooth that is largely filling already, or badly broken down, usually needs a crown. Sitting between the two, an onlay (£750) caps and protects the chewing surface while preserving more of your own tooth than a crown does. Back teeth that have had root canal treatment generally need a crown or an onlay, because they become brittle. Your dentist will point out the problem on your scan and X-ray, and there's more in our guide to crowns, onlays and fillings.More on Dental Crowns ›

At our Broughty Ferry practice a single-surface white filling is £105 on a front tooth or £118 on a back tooth. ² Larger fillings covering more of the tooth cost more; a back tooth needing a three-surface filling, for example, is £165. Members of our dental plans receive a 10% reduction, so a single-surface back filling is £106. You'll have the fee confirmed before treatment begins.More on White Fillings ›

Every tooth has five surfaces, and the price of a filling depends on how many of those surfaces it covers. Think of the tooth as a small box: there's the chewing surface on top, the side facing your cheek or lips, the side facing your tongue, and the two walls that sit against the teeth on either side. A little cavity confined to the top counts as one surface; decay between two back teeth, on the other hand, frequently takes in two or three. Before any drilling, your dentist will say how many surfaces are affected.More on White Fillings ›

Partly. Tooth-coloured fillings are provided on the NHS where clinically appropriate, chiefly on front teeth, whereas premolars and molars are usually filled with silver amalgam. All of the fillings we place privately are white. In Scotland, someone registered with the NHS can also choose a privately funded white filling for a back tooth (from £118 for one surface) while staying an NHS patient for all other treatment. Our white fillings page has the detail.More on White Fillings ›

Only where there's a proper reason: a crack, decay beneath the filling, an edge that's leaking, or simply that it shows when you smile and you don't like it. An amalgam filling that's still sound is best left in place, because drilling one out needlessly costs you more healthy tooth every time. The X-rays taken at your examination reveal which fillings are on their way out. If you'd like some changed for cosmetic reasons, that can be planned in stages; our guide to swapping metal fillings for white goes into more depth.More on White Fillings ›

It shouldn't. Your tooth is numbed before we start, so what you'll feel is vibration and pressure rather than pain. If the injection is the part you dread, we apply numbing gel first and work at whatever pace suits you. Some people choose to go without an injection for a very small filling, and that's entirely up to you. After the numbness fades, the tooth may react to cold for a week or so, which is perfectly normal. If it's still aching when you bite beyond that, the filling might need a minor adjustment, so do tell us.More on White Fillings ›

A single appointment lasting 30 to 60 minutes covers most white fillings, the exact time depending on how big it is. The composite is placed in layers, with each one set by a blue curing light, before being shaped to fit your bite and polished. It's fully hardened before you leave the chair, so you can chew on it straight away; the only thing to wait for is the numbness wearing off.More on White Fillings ›

At our Broughty Ferry practice a custom-made night guard, produced from a digital scan, is £210. ² Where grinding is heavier or there's jaw pain, a hard occlusal splint starts from £620. Sports mouthguards are £190, and devices to reduce snoring start from £620. Members of a dental plan get 10% off all of these; see our page on night guards and mouthguards.More on Night Guards and Mouthguards ›

Quite possibly, if you wake up with a sore jaw or a headache, your teeth look worn down or chipped along the edges, or your fillings and crowns keep fracturing. Sometimes a partner hears the grinding at night, but plenty of people only learn about it when we notice the wear during an examination. A guard is particularly worthwhile if you've invested in veneers, bonding or implants, because it shields work that cost a great deal more than the guard does.More on Night Guards and Mouthguards ›

A night guard is a slim protective shield for everyday grinding, while a hard occlusal splint is a rigid, precisely adjusted appliance for more serious problems with your bite. The splint, from £620, is refined over several visits and is the right choice for severe wear, forceful clenching or a painful jaw joint, where calming the muscles counts as much as protecting the teeth. For mild to moderate grinding a night guard, at £210, is generally sufficient. After examining your teeth and jaw, your dentist will advise which one you need.More on Night Guards and Mouthguards ›

For simple snoring, frequently yes. A custom anti-snoring device, from £620, keeps your lower jaw positioned a few millimetres forward during sleep, so the airway is less inclined to collapse and vibrate. Made from a scan, it's adjusted so that it doesn't put strain on your jaw joints. Heavy snoring accompanied by pauses in breathing, choking or waking up unrefreshed may point to obstructive sleep apnoea, and your GP should organise tests for that first. If the sleep clinic decides an oral appliance would be useful, we can make one for you.More on Night Guards and Mouthguards ›

Yes. A custom guard fits more precisely, gives better protection and, crucially, actually stays in the mouth during play. Built from a scan of your own teeth, it's slimmer than a boil-and-bite version, stays in place without you having to clench, and leaves you free to breathe and call to teammates. It also distributes the force of an impact more evenly over the teeth. Guards bought off the shelf tend to be bulky and loose, which is why players so often take them out; ours cost £190.More on Night Guards and Mouthguards ›

A sports mouthguard typically sees out one or two seasons, though it needs replacing earlier if your teeth shift, after any dental treatment, or as a child's mouth develops. At the start of every season, inspect it for splits, thinning and a fit that's gone slack. A night guard wears down more slowly and will often serve for several years, although heavy grinders go through them more quickly. We look at night guards during your examination, and once a crack appears or a patch has worn right through, it's time for a replacement.More on Night Guards and Mouthguards ›

If it's a white filling, eating is fine as soon as the feeling has come back, because the curing light hardens the composite completely during the appointment. Numbness is the real reason for waiting: biting your cheek, lip or tongue without realising is all too easy, so watch children closely for this. If you really need to eat sooner, choose something soft and keep it to the other side of your mouth.More on White Fillings ›

The usual cause is overworked chewing muscles, strained by clenching or grinding, frequently at night and often tied to stress. Less commonly the joint itself is at fault, for example when the disc inside it slips out of position (producing a click) or the joint has worn. A change in your bite, perhaps from a filling that sits high or from teeth that have been lost, can trigger either. Because toothache and sinus trouble can mimic jaw pain, it's worth getting it checked; there's more on our jaw pain and TMJ page.More on Jaw Pain and TMJ ›

A painless click is common and rarely anything to be concerned about. Where there's pain alongside it, or the jaw catches, locks or can't open all the way, an assessment is worthwhile. Treatment tends to be simple: a splint, some changes of habit such as giving up chewing gum, and softer food for a spell usually prevent it from getting any worse.More on Jaw Pain and TMJ ›

In most cases, if the pain stems from clenching and grinding during sleep: as the muscles get some respite, most people notice an improvement within a few weeks. Where the joint itself is the problem rather than the muscles, a hard splint (£620), fine-tuned to your bite across several appointments, does a better job than a standard guard. Should things not improve, we'll look again for another cause. The price of a night guard is £210.More on Jaw Pain and TMJ ›

Yes. Diagnosing temporomandibular disorder involves examining the jaw joints, the muscles you chew with and your bite, alongside your history and, if necessary, an X-ray. The majority of cases are managed in the practice with a splint, guidance on habits and some simple jaw exercises. Where there are signs of something more serious, for instance a jaw that locks repeatedly or changes to the joint showing on an X-ray, you'd be referred to the oral and maxillofacial team at the hospital.More on Jaw Pain and TMJ ›

Frequently, yes. When you're stressed you clench harder, in the daytime without noticing and overnight too, and the muscles of the jaw bear the brunt. The biggest gains come from noticing and releasing the daytime clench (at rest your lips should be together and your teeth apart) combined with a night guard while you sleep. A warm compress and gentle stretches can soothe aching muscles until then.More on Jaw Pain and TMJ ›

Root canal treatment is provided by the dentists at Ferry Smile Studios, 196 Brook Street, from £450 for a front tooth. It begins with an examination of the tooth and an X-ray showing the roots and any infection surrounding them. For anyone in pain, we keep emergency appointments at £70, and you don't need to be registered with us to use one. Occasionally a tooth whose canals are unusually shaped or blocked is referred to a specialist.More on Root Canal Treatment ›

At our Broughty Ferry practice, root canal treatment is £450 on an incisor, £525 on a premolar and £595 on a molar; members of a dental plan pay £405, £473 and £536 respectively. ² Where a tooth is extremely painful, an initial stage that removes the nerve and calms it down costs £150. Premolars and molars generally need a crown or onlay afterwards to guard against cracking, and that is charged separately. Re-treating an existing root filling starts from £595.More on Root Canal Treatment ›

Under local anaesthetic, root canal treatment feels much the same as a lengthy filling: you'll sense pressure and hear the instruments working, but there shouldn't be any pain. The discomfort people associate with root canals is nearly always the infection that came before it, and the treatment is what brings that to an end. For a few days afterwards the tooth will probably be tender when you bite, and ordinary painkillers deal with that. A tooth that's badly inflamed sometimes takes longer to numb fully, so we wait until it has before starting.More on Root Canal Treatment ›

Either one or two, depending on which tooth it is and the extent of the infection. An uncomplicated front tooth can frequently be cleaned out, shaped and sealed at a single appointment. Where there's active infection or significant pain, the canals are cleaned, a medicated dressing and temporary filling are placed, and the job is completed a week or two afterwards. For back teeth, the crown or onlay adds another appointment or two.More on Root Canal Treatment ›

For back teeth the answer is usually yes; for front teeth, often no. With the nerve removed, a premolar or molar becomes more brittle yet still has to cope with heavy chewing, so an onlay (£750) or a crown (from £675) offers the best insurance against it splitting. A front tooth carrying little filling can often simply be finished with a white filling. If most of a back tooth's structure has gone, a fibre post (£160) may be needed to give the crown something to hold on to.More on Dental Crowns ›

When a tooth can be saved and properly restored, keeping it is normally the better decision. A root-treated tooth with a well-fitting crown can give many years of service, and keeping it is usually less expensive than having it out and replacing it later with a bridge or implant. Removal is faster and costs less on the day, but the resulting gap allows adjacent teeth to drift and the bone beneath to shrink. If a tooth has fractured beneath the gum, or is too far gone to rebuild, we'll tell you plainly and run through the ways it could be replaced.More on Root Canal Treatment ›

At our Broughty Ferry practice, private dentures begin at £495 for an immediate acrylic denture; a small partial is £565 and a complete acrylic set £695. ² For a cobalt chrome partial, which is both slimmer and stronger, prices start from £1,200. Members of our dental plans receive 10% off these private denture prices. If you'd prefer a denture anchored securely on implants, that starts from £8,500 per jaw, and the plan discount doesn't apply to it.More on Dentures ›

Typically a few weeks, spread across three to five visits. Those include the scan or impressions, a try-in stage to assess the appearance and bite (for larger dentures), the fitting itself, and an adjustment visit once you've had them in for a few days. Immediate dentures work differently: they're made in advance and fitted on the day the teeth are extracted, then relined a few months on once the gums have shrunk and settled.More on Dentures ›

A full lower denture shifts more than an upper one because there's far less gum for it to hold onto, and the tongue and cheeks keep nudging it. Uppers tend to stay in place better, since they seal against the roof of the mouth. A new denture takes a few weeks to bed in, and one that has become loose over the years can usually be relined (£110). If a lower denture simply never feels secure, two implants beneath it make a bigger difference than anything else we can offer.More on Dentures ›

For registered NHS patients in Scotland, denture charges are capped at £384 per course of treatment; ask us about our own NHS position. Going private widens the choice: stronger metal-framed partials, teeth that look more natural and a shade matched more closely to your own.More on Dentures ›

Yes. The majority of broken dentures can be mended, and a tooth can be added to one you already have for £105. Where the problem is looseness rather than breakage, a chairside reline (£110) refits the inner surface to your gums in a single appointment. Resist the temptation to glue it at home: household adhesives damage acrylic and can rule out a proper repair altogether. Bring all the pieces with you.More on Dentist near Tayport ›

Yes, they should come out before you go to sleep. Gums need a spell each day free from pressure, and wearing dentures through the night is associated with sore patches and fungal problems such as denture stomatitis. Keep them in water or a denture-soaking solution overnight so the acrylic doesn't dry out and distort. Last thing at night, give your gums, tongue and any natural teeth a gentle brush.More on Dentures ›

At our Broughty Ferry practice a conventional bridge is £695 for each unit; an immediate resin-retained bridge is £675 per unit and a definitive resin-retained bridge £750 per unit. ² Replacing a single missing tooth usually means one or two units for a resin-retained design and three for a conventional one. If you're still deciding about an implant, a long-term provisional bridge from £450 fills the gap in the meantime. The full total appears in your written plan before any tooth is prepared.More on Dental Bridges ›

Maryland bridge is another name for a resin-retained bridge: a replacement tooth carried on a slim wing of metal or ceramic that's bonded to the back of the neighbouring tooth. Drilling is minimal, and the work is normally done over two visits. It's frequently the first option considered for a single missing front tooth, and it doubles as a fixed temporary while an implant is healing. Because it relies entirely on the bond, it can now and then debond and need sticking back on (£80).More on Dental Bridges ›

The condition of the teeth on each side of the gap is usually the deciding factor. If they're sound and unfilled, a resin-retained bridge or an implant leaves them untouched, whereas a conventional bridge means shaping them down for crowns. An implant and crown, from £2,605, stands on its own and helps keep the bone in the gap, though it does mean minor surgery and several months of healing. The resin-retained bridge is the faster and cheaper route. All three options are weighed up in our guide to implants, bridges and dentures.More on Dentist near Tayport ›

Every tooth in a bridge, whether a replacement tooth or a supporting crown, counts as a unit. A traditional bridge spanning one gap therefore usually adds up to three units: the crowned anchor tooth on either side plus the false tooth in the middle. A resin-retained bridge for one gap is normally a single unit, or two when it's bonded to a tooth on each side. Multiply the per-unit fee by the number of units and you have your total.More on Dental Bridges ›

A conventional bridge can, since the neighbouring teeth are shaped down to carry crowns, and where those teeth were unfilled that means giving up healthy enamel. A resin-retained bridge calls for little or no shaping, which is why it's our preference whenever the bite permits. With either type, the supporting teeth must be cleaned carefully beneath the replacement tooth, because decay or gum disease in that spot is the commonest cause of a bridge failing. Our hygienist can demonstrate how to get floss threaders or small interdental brushes underneath.More on Dental Bridges ›

Usually 10 to 15 years, frequently more, provided the teeth supporting it remain healthy. The bridge itself is seldom the weak link; what lets it down is decay or gum disease affecting the anchor teeth. What matters most is cleaning under the false tooth daily, not skipping hygiene appointments, and coming to see us promptly if it ever feels loose. A resin-retained bridge that debonds can generally be cleaned up and bonded back in place.More on Dental Bridges ›

A straightforward extraction at our Broughty Ferry practice costs £125, or £220 if stitches and a collagen plug are required so the socket heals well. ² Surgical extractions, which include most difficult wisdom teeth, are £450. Should you want sedation, IV sedation is £500 for each session. The fee is confirmed before anything starts, and members of a plan pay £113 for a routine extraction.More on Extractions and Wisdom Teeth ›

No. A wisdom tooth that has erupted straight, bites against its opposite number and can be cleaned properly is fine to keep. Removal is advisable when it suffers repeated infections, is decaying because you can't reach it with a brush, is harming the tooth in front of it, or has a cyst developing around it. Its position shows on an X-ray, and where the roots lie near the nerve, a CT scan (£160) maps the route before surgery. There's more in our guide to wisdom teeth.More on Extractions and Wisdom Teeth ›

Not the extraction itself: with the tooth and gum completely numb, you'll notice pushing and pressure but no pain. For a few days afterwards the area will be tender, and paracetamol or ibuprofen generally keeps that under control. After a surgical extraction or a wisdom tooth, soreness lasts longer and swelling typically peaks around day two or three. Sticking to our aftercare instructions, and not smoking in particular, lowers your chances of a painful dry socket.More on Extractions and Wisdom Teeth ›

Yes. We can provide IV sedation for extractions at £500 per session. It makes good sense for a surgical removal, wisdom teeth, multiple extractions at one appointment, or where fear would otherwise stop you coming at all. You remain awake yet deeply calm and tend to remember very little, which is why an adult must collect you and watch over you until bedtime. Being put fully to sleep under general anaesthetic happens only in hospital, so if that's what you need we'd refer you on.More on Extractions and Wisdom Teeth ›

A dry socket develops when the clot that forms in the empty socket after a tooth is removed gets lost before the gum has healed over, so the bone underneath is left exposed. The result is a deep, throbbing ache, often accompanied by a foul taste, typically appearing between day three and day five. The usual culprits are smoking and vaping, rinsing hard, spitting and drinking through straws during the first few days. It poses no danger, but the pain can be intense and ordinary painkillers may make little difference. If you think you have one, phone us: cleaning and dressing the socket usually eases it within a day or two.More on Extractions and Wisdom Teeth ›

The gum generally closes over in one to two weeks, and the worst of the soreness fades within a few days. Surgical extractions need longer, and it can be a week or more before you're back to normal. Under the gum, the bone keeps filling in for several months, which is why we usually allow about three months before placing an implant in the gap, so that everything has firmed up. In the first few days, keep to soft food and chew on the opposite side.More on Extractions and Wisdom Teeth ›

Quite often, yes. On each day we're open we set aside emergency slots for anyone with toothache, at £70, whether or not you're a patient of ours. Ring 01382 477350 early (see our opening hours), as those slots go quickly. The dentist will check the tooth and take an X-ray first, and if it can be rescued, with root canal treatment for instance, you'll hear that before anything is taken out. For advice on coping in the meantime, see our emergencies page.More on Emergencies ›

No. For most people the teeth underneath are left essentially untouched, since composite is built up on the surface instead of the tooth being drilled away. Occasionally a very small amount of enamel is smoothed to disguise the join between tooth and composite and to improve the strength of the bond. A gel is used to prepare the surface so the composite holds fast, which is why removing bonding later on involves careful polishing rather than simply lifting it off. At your consultation Dr Sharma will say whether any reshaping of your teeth is planned.More on Composite Bonding ›

Three to five years is typical before bonding wants refreshing, and with good care it often goes beyond that. Because composite is softer than enamel, its edges gradually wear and the surface can pick up colour from tea, coffee, curry, red wine or smoking. Polishing it back to its best is part of your hygiene appointments, and a small chip can generally be repaired in a quick visit without starting the tooth from scratch. Chewing pens or fingernails, or using your teeth to tear open packaging, will cut its lifespan.More on Composite Bonding ›

Whitening has no effect on bonding, because composite keeps the shade it was built in. If you whiten after bonding, your own teeth get lighter but the bonded ones stay put, leaving the bonding looking darker, and it will usually need replacing to match at £395 per tooth. For anyone who already has bonding and wants a brighter smile, the sequence is to whiten the natural teeth with Boutique home whitening, allow around two weeks for the colour to settle, and then renew the composite to match the new shade. If bonding is still at the planning stage, whitening first means paying only once. The order is explained in our guide on whitening before bonding.More on Whitening ›

Porcelain veneers have the longer life and keep their colour; composite veneers are cheaper and usually involve little or no drilling. Porcelain, from £695 per tooth, is laboratory-made and normally requires a thin layer of enamel to be removed, whereas composite, at £395 per tooth, is sculpted directly onto the tooth in the chair. Composite can stain and needs a refresh every few years, while porcelain frequently lasts a decade or more. The pros and cons are laid out in our guide to porcelain versus composite veneers.More on Smile Makeover ›

Bonding mends chipped edges, closes small spaces, levels out teeth that are worn or uneven, and improves both shape and colour. Your dentist builds up tooth-coloured composite on the tooth in layers, sculpts it by hand, hardens it with a light and polishes it, frequently all in one appointment. When it's applied across the front surfaces of several teeth, the result is composite veneers, which can transform an entire smile. What bonding can't do is straighten crooked teeth; if crowding is the problem, Invisalign first and bonding afterwards generally gives a better outcome.More on Composite Bonding ›

The main points in bonding's favour are that it removes little or no enamel, it's typically complete in one or two appointments, and it's cheaper than porcelain. It can also be repaired, meaning a chip gets patched instead of the whole tooth being redone. Against that, composite picks up stains more readily than porcelain and wears along the edges, so it usually wants refreshing after three to five years. Heavy grinders tend to chip it, and a night guard is often needed to protect their work.More on Composite Bonding ›

At Ferry Smile Studios on 196 Brook Street, where Dr Nikhil Sharma provides composite bonding from £395 per tooth, or £1,550 for a package of four teeth that includes whitening. There's no fee for the consultation, just a £40 deposit returned within 7 days once you've attended. On bigger cases you'll be shown a digital design of the finished result before any composite is placed. Patients come to us from Dundee, Monifieth, Carnoustie and Arbroath as well as from the Ferry; the details are on our composite bonding page.More on Composite Bonding ›

Our Broughty Ferry porcelain veneers begin at £695 a tooth, and composite veneers are £395 a tooth. ² The digital design and trial smile are part of those figures, so seeing a preview of the result adds nothing to the bill. Between six and ten veneers is the usual number, enough to cover each tooth that shows when you smile broadly.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

Patients from across Dundee and Angus come to Ferry Smile Studios in Broughty Ferry for porcelain and composite veneers. Each case begins with a digital smile design, then a trial smile is fitted over your existing teeth so you can see and feel what's proposed before any preparation takes place. Dr Nikhil Sharma handles veneer treatment from the first appointment to the last, and consultations are free of charge. We welcome patients travelling from Carnoustie, Forfar, Newport-on-Tay, Tayport and beyond.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

Looked after well, porcelain veneers commonly last 10 to 15 years and sometimes a good deal longer. The typical reasons one needs replacing are a chip caused by grinding or biting on something hard, decay creeping in at the margin, or gum recession exposing the edge. A night guard if you grind, together with regular examinations and hygiene appointments, helps them last the course. Composite veneers, for comparison, usually need refreshing after three to five years.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

Generally not. Before any enamel is reshaped the teeth are numbed, so what you feel is pressure rather than pain. Some people notice cold sensitivity for a few days, mostly during the period when the temporary veneers are in place. The design appointment and the trial smile involve no drilling whatsoever, and the trial smile reveals exactly how little shaping your teeth really need, which keeps preparation to a minimum. Composite veneers are gentler again and frequently need no injection.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

In Broughty Ferry, composite bonding costs £395 for one tooth. A package of four teeth starts from £1,550 and comes with home whitening, a review appointment and a final polish. ² Beyond that, six teeth are £2,350, eight are £3,150 and ten are £3,950. If you're comparing prices between practices, check whether the quote includes whitening, a review and polishing, since many headline per-tooth figures leave those out.More on Composite Bonding ›

Each package starts with Boutique home whitening, followed by the bonding itself, a review appointment and a final polish. The whitening goes first so that the composite can be matched to your newly brightened shade; purchased separately it would cost £350. Dr Sharma sculpts and shapes the composite by hand, and larger cases come with a digital smile design too. If you strip the whitening out of the four-tooth price (£1,550), the bonding on its own works out at £300 per tooth; our guide to bonding packages sets them side by side.More on Composite Bonding ›

Not when the reason is cosmetic: improving the shape or colour of healthy teeth with composite is private treatment. Where there's a clinical need, the NHS will fix a front tooth that's chipped, broken or decayed using a tooth-coloured filling. The boundary between repair and cosmetic improvement isn't always clear-cut, so raise it at your examination and we'll explain which applies to your tooth. The NHS board for this area is NHS Tayside.More on Composite Bonding ›

Rarely, and the majority of patients get through it without a numbing injection, because the composite is added onto the tooth rather than the tooth being drilled. What you'll be aware of is some polishing, a mild gel on the surface, and the dentist building up and smoothing the material. Where a single tooth needs slight reshaping beforehand, that one tooth alone can be numbed. Eating normally straight afterwards is fine, although going easy on strong tea and coffee for the first couple of days is sensible.More on Composite Bonding ›

Yes. Straightening first and bonding afterwards is among the combinations we plan most frequently. Once the teeth sit in better positions, far less composite is required, which makes the result look more natural and helps it last. The bonding then neatens worn edges and closes whatever small gaps are left. We allow a short gap after your final aligner, and since bonding alters the outline of the teeth, we check that your retainers still fit properly and make new ones if they don't.More on Smile Makeover ›

Bonding isn't for everyone. It needs healthy teeth and gums as a foundation, so any decay or gum disease has to be dealt with first. People who grind heavily tend to chip composite, so for them a night guard, or porcelain instead, may make more sense. Teeth that are very crooked usually look better once straightened, while very dark teeth may call for whitening first, or porcelain, to cover the colour. Should bonding not be the right choice for you, we'll tell you clearly at your consultation.More on Composite Bonding ›

Yes. Bonding can be polished off or redone, and since little if any enamel was removed to begin with, the tooth beneath is left much as it was before. Old or discoloured bonding done elsewhere can be replaced too, frequently in one appointment. Parting composite from enamel calls for a careful hand, so it's strictly a job for the dentist and never something to attempt yourself. If you'd like it removed altogether, we polish the teeth back to their natural surface.More on Composite Bonding ›

No. Once you have porcelain veneers you have them for good, because the dentist usually shaves a thin sliver from the front of each tooth to make room. From then on, that tooth will always need to be covered by a veneer or crown. That's the reason we design the smile on screen and let you wear a trial version before a single tooth is prepared. It's also the reason we'll point you towards whitening, bonding or Invisalign first if any of those would achieve what you want with less alteration to your teeth.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

A veneer sits on the front surface only, whereas a crown wraps around the entire tooth, which means more tooth has to be shaped away for a crown. Veneers, from £695 per tooth, suit healthy teeth where it's the shape or colour you want to alter. A tooth that is heavily filled, cracked or root-treated usually needs a crown's strength, from £750 for a front tooth. Whenever a veneer will do the job, that's our recommendation, since it preserves more of your natural tooth.More on Dental Crowns ›

No. NHS Scotland doesn't fund veneers whose only purpose is to improve the appearance of healthy teeth. Where a front tooth is broken or badly decayed, repairing or crowning it on the NHS remains possible when there's a clinical reason. It's quite usual for someone to be an NHS patient and pay privately for cosmetic treatment alongside, and your written plan will make plain which elements fall into each category.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

From £695 per tooth, porcelain veneers include the smile design, your trial smile, temporaries to wear while the final veneers are being made, the fitting appointment and a review. ² Taken on their own, the smile design and trial smile would cost £250 and £250, but with us they form part of the treatment fee. Should you want the adjacent teeth whitened to blend in, home whitening is £350. Each item is itemised in your written plan before any tooth is touched.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

Roughly three to four weeks from the smile design to the final fitting, across three appointments. At the first we design the smile and fit the trial version; at the second we prepare the teeth and fit temporaries; at the third the finished porcelain goes on. Any whitening or straightening beforehand adds its own time before the design begins. Same-day porcelain veneers aren't something we offer, because the laboratory craftsmanship is what gives porcelain its natural depth and colour.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

Porcelain veneer treatment here is carried out by Dr Nikhil Sharma. Since composite bonding and smile makeovers are also his work, he's well placed to tell you frankly whether veneers or a less invasive option would be best for your teeth. Design, trial smile, tooth preparation and the final fitting all happen with him, meaning the dentist who plans your new smile is the one who delivers it.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

Here in Broughty Ferry at Ferry Smile Studios, where Dr Nikhil Sharma designs smile makeovers combining Invisalign, whitening, composite bonding and veneers, starting from £2,350. The design is done digitally around your face and lips, then placed in your mouth as a trial smile so you can look at it before committing. The smile design itself carries no separate charge, as it's part of your treatment fee; the consultation costs nothing, with a £40 deposit to hold it. The stages are explained on our smile makeover page.More on Smile Makeover ›

Very, provided the whole smile is designed up front instead of one tooth being patched at a time. Sequence is key: straighten, then whiten, then bond or veneer, which means less natural tooth has to be altered and every shade is matched. With the trial smile you can judge the probable outcome in your own mouth before anything permanent is done. Longevity depends on the materials chosen, your habits (coffee, smoking, grinding) and regular hygiene appointments, and no two people get exactly the same result.More on Smile Makeover ›

Prices begin at £2,350, which covers whitening and composite bonding across six teeth, and climb according to what your smile calls for. ² Having Invisalign beforehand, or opting for porcelain veneers (from £695 per tooth) on certain teeth, alters the total. Once you've had a free consultation you receive a single fixed fee in writing.More on Smile Makeover ›

At Ferry Smile Studios on 196 Brook Street you'll find Invisalign, home whitening, composite bonding, porcelain and composite veneers and complete smile makeovers, plus facial aesthetics. The cosmetic dentistry is led by Dr Nikhil Sharma, and every change is mapped out on screen before it's made, with a trial smile for larger cases so you can see the result ahead of time. People come to us from Dundee, Monifieth, Carnoustie and Forfar, and your first consultation costs nothing. Treatments and fees are listed on our cosmetic dentistry page.More on Cosmetic Dentistry ›

Somewhere between a few weeks and the better part of a year, according to what the plan involves. Whitening then bonding is typically finished inside about a month. Where the teeth need straightening with Invisalign first, set aside several months, and any plan involving implants needs additional healing time. Before you commit, your written plan maps out each stage and when it's likely to happen.More on Smile Makeover ›

Yes, for veneers and larger cosmetic cases. We design the smile digitally using photographs of your face, then transfer that design onto your teeth in a temporary material as a trial smile, without touching the teeth themselves. You can check it in the mirror, talk, laugh and take pictures, and if you'd prefer the teeth shorter, longer or shaped differently, we adjust the design until you're happy. Both the smile design and the trial smile are part of what you pay for the treatment, and afterwards the temporary material peels away easily without harming your teeth. There's more in our trial smile guide.More on Dentist near Monifieth ›

The target is 20 to 22 hours in every 24. In practice that means the aligners stay in unless you're eating, drinking something other than plain water, or brushing. Before they go back, brush or at least rinse your mouth well, otherwise food sits trapped against the enamel. The first week is usually the hardest; after that most people stop noticing them. The biggest cause of a case drifting off its timetable is aligners left out for hours at a time.More on Invisalign ›

Yes, and permanently: teeth drift back towards their old positions if nothing holds them, and the retainer is what prevents that. For most patients it means clear retainers at night after the final aligner comes out. Each Invisalign package here at Ferry Smile Studios includes a set of Vivera retainers, with replacements at £530. Bring them to your dental examinations from time to time so we can check the fit is still snug.More on Invisalign ›

It is, provided a dentist has examined your mouth beforehand and has prescribed a regulated gel at a lawful concentration. Peroxide works on the colour held inside the enamel; it doesn't wear it away or soften it. The products that genuinely harm teeth are illegal ones, acidic chlorine dioxide gels for instance. Expect a few days of sensitivity as the main side effect; it settles once you pause or finish the course, and a sensitive toothpaste takes the edge off. We won't whiten where there's untreated decay or active gum disease, nor during pregnancy, and that's the reason for the examination first.More on Whitening ›

Not using professional whitening gel: UK law prohibits gels above 0.1% hydrogen peroxide on anyone under 18 unless the aim is treating or preventing disease, and dentists are bound by that rule just as beauty salons are. When a teenager dislikes the shade of their teeth, we start by finding the reason, whether that's staining on the surface, one tooth that's darker than the rest, or white or brown marks in the enamel, and then explain what can be done straight away and what's better left until they're older. Improved brushing and a hygiene appointment often remove more staining than people anticipate.More on Whitening ›

Somewhere between a few months for a minor correction and roughly 12 to 18 months where the crowding or the bite is more complex. Your scan and 3D plan, done before you commit, show how many aligners are needed, so you'll know the likely timescale from the outset. Reviews every 6 to 8 weeks or so let us confirm the teeth are moving as planned, and wearing the aligners for the full hours each day is what holds you to that schedule.More on Invisalign ›

Not necessarily: think of the simulation as the intended destination rather than a guarantee. It's generated from your iTero Lumina scan and plots the movement of each tooth, which lets us choose the right package and shows you what's achievable. How closely your teeth follow that path comes down to your bone, your gums and how faithfully you wear the aligners. At every review we measure your progress against the plan, and refinements are available if the final stage needs adjusting.More on Invisalign ›

Most adults who want straighter teeth can be treated with aligners, though not all, and if you're among the exceptions we'll say so plainly. Decay or gum disease that's active has to be dealt with before you begin. Very heavy crowding, a large mismatch between the jaws and certain bite problems are usually better managed a different way, and we'll describe those options and refer you on if that's appropriate. Since a scan is part of your consultation, the answer you get reflects your own teeth rather than an estimate.More on Invisalign ›

No, refinements are built into our package price. Should one or two teeth fall slightly short of their planned position near the finish, a new scan is taken and further aligners ordered to complete the movement, at no extra charge. The package also includes Vivera retainers and home whitening. If you're weighing up quotes, it's worth asking whether refinements are covered, since many providers charge for them separately.More on Invisalign ›

Ferry Smile Studios, at 196 Brook Street in Broughty Ferry, is where Invisalign is planned and provided by Dr Nikhil Sharma, with packages starting at £2,500. The practice has held Invisalign's Diamond Apex rating every year from 2022 to 2026; that tier is a measure of case numbers (the top 1% of providers across Europe by volume) rather than a clinical qualification. Refinements, Vivera retainers and whitening are included in every package. The first step is a free consultation with an iTero Lumina scan; book it online. Patients travel to us from all over Dundee and Angus, Carnoustie, Forfar and Tayport among them.More on Invisalign ›

For the majority of adult crowding and spacing, Invisalign gets you to the same end point as fixed braces, using clear removable aligners that few people notice and that are easy to keep clean. Since you take them out to eat, nothing is off the menu, and there are no brackets or wires to rub against your cheeks. What you give in return is discipline: aligners only move teeth if they're worn 20 to 22 hours a day. For severe bite or jaw problems, fixed braces are sometimes still the better option, and your assessment will show which is right for you.

Peroxide in the gel seeps into the enamel and breaks down the stain molecules behind a darker shade, so the tooth lightens from within. For Boutique home whitening, we scan your teeth, make slim trays moulded to them alone and prescribe the gel; the trays are then worn at home every day for two to three weeks. Along the way we check your shade and how comfortable you are. Crowns, veneers and white fillings don't lighten, and we take that into account when planning.More on Whitening ›

Dentist-led home whitening is available at Ferry Smile Studios on Brook Street for £350, or £315 for patients on one of our dental plans. We use the Boutique system: trays made to a digital scan of your teeth, gel at professional strength and progress checks with your dentist. Every Invisalign and composite bonding package includes whitening too. Legally, only a registered dental professional may whiten teeth in the UK, so treat salon and online offers with caution; our whitening page has the details.More on Whitening ›

Typically a year or longer, although coffee, tea, red wine and smoking all shorten it. Your trays were made for your teeth, so you keep them, and whenever the shade begins to fade you can top up with fresh gel for a night or two. An Airflow polish at a hygiene appointment removes new surface staining as well. In the couple of days after each session, steer clear of heavily coloured food and drink, because teeth absorb stain more easily at that point.More on Whitening ›

It is, on both strength and safety. Products sold in shops are limited by law to 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, which does little beyond surface stain, whereas a dentist can prescribe gel at up to the UK maximum of 6%. We put the gel in trays made to a scan of your own teeth, which keeps it where it should be and away from your gums. A dentist also checks first for decay, gum trouble and old fillings that won't change shade. Strips from the chemist may brighten teeth slightly, but they won't shift the colour much.More on Whitening ›

Invisalign at Ferry Smile Studios ranges from £2,500 for Express (minor corrections) up to £5,000 for Comprehensive Plus (the most involved cases), and every package includes X-rays and scans, refinements, home whitening, a hygiene visit and Vivera retainers. ² The middle tiers are Lite at £3,500, Moderate at £4,000 and Comprehensive at £4,500. Across Dundee and Angus, advertised prices go from about £1,500 for a short Lite course to around £4,400 for complex work, and the lowest quotes frequently exclude retainers or refinements, so make sure you compare like for like.More on Invisalign ›

The whole journey, from first scan to final retainer: X-rays and iTero Lumina scans, all the aligners in your package, whatever refinements are needed at the end, Vivera retainers (worth £530 on their own), Boutique home whitening (£350) and a hygiene appointment (£70). Bought separately, the retainers, whitening and hygiene visit would come to £950. The figure in your written plan is fixed before you start and won't change.More on Invisalign ›

A low headline figure usually covers a single arch, a short course of only seven to fourteen aligners, or a price that leaves out the scan, refinements, retainers and whitening. Before you compare, establish precisely what's covered, who foots the bill if extra aligners are required, and whether the fee is fixed in writing. Every one of those items is included in our packages, and the amount in your written plan is the amount you pay at the finish.More on Dentist near Carnoustie ›

In most cases, yes. Book a free consultation and bring along whatever you still have: recent aligners, retainers, and any treatment plan or emails from the company. We'll take an iTero Lumina scan, assess your bite and gums, and give you an honest view on whether to complete the movement with Invisalign, hold your teeth where they are with new retainers, or simply leave things be. Trays made for another company's plan can't be continued, but a fresh Invisalign plan starts from where your teeth are today, and it may be a short one if most of the work is already done. Your £40 deposit is refunded once you've attended, with no obligation to go further.More on Invisalign ›

Ring us the same day and we'll tell you which set to wear while we sort it out. That generally means going back to the previous aligners or moving ahead to the next pair a little early, and if the gap is too wide a replacement is ordered. Hold on to all your old sets until we say otherwise; they're your safety net. Whatever you do, don't go without, as teeth can begin moving within days.More on Aftercare Advice ›

In mild to moderate cases, yes, and it handles many crossbites too: aligners, frequently combined with elastics and small tooth-coloured attachments, can shift the teeth so the upper and lower arches meet more comfortably. Where the problem is in the jaws themselves rather than in the teeth, aligners alone can't put it right, and the answer may be braces, or orthodontics alongside jaw surgery. What's realistic will be clear from your scan and 3D plan, and we'll say at the consultation if your bite is outside what aligners handle well.More on Invisalign ›

No. Every case we straighten is treated with Invisalign, which covers the majority of adult problems and is what our Diamond Apex status refers to (that's a measure of case volume, not a qualification). Where fixed braces would serve you better, for instance a severe bite problem rooted in the jaws, we'll tell you at the consultation and refer you to an orthodontist instead of stretching aligners beyond what they're good at. If your child may need braces, we're happy to run through the options and arrange the referral.More on Invisalign ›

Yes: there's no charge for a consultation about Invisalign, composite bonding, veneers, a smile makeover, or dental implants including full-arch treatment. When you book we take a £40 deposit to secure the slot, and we refund it within 7 days of your appointment. If you need to cancel or rearrange, let us know at least 48 hours ahead. The deposit is only kept if you miss the appointment without telling us. A dental examination is a separate thing: a new patient examination, including X-rays, costs £70.More on Dentist near Monifieth ›

No. You receive a written treatment plan with a fixed price before any work starts, and that figure is what you pay. If we find something unexpected along the way, say a tooth that turns out to need more than its X-ray implied, we stop and discuss it with you before going further. No change to the cost is made without your say-so.More on Dentist near Monifieth ›

Plan A is £24.10 each month and gives you two examinations a year, two small X-rays and a pair of Airflow hygiene appointments, which would cost £360 paid separately (a saving of £70.80). Plan B, at £40.16 each month, has the same examinations and X-rays but with four hygiene appointments rather than two, worth £560 (a saving of £78.08). On top of that, both plans bring free emergency appointments, priority when booking, access out of hours and dental emergency cover anywhere in the world. There's also 10% off private treatment for members, excluding extensive cosmetic work, implants and orthodontics. For the full breakdown, see the dental plans page.More on Dental Plans ›

Yes. Speak to our reception team and they'll walk you through changing or ending your plan, including any notice period. The payments are collected by Direct Debit each month, so letting us know before the next collection date helps. And if your circumstances shift, perhaps after gum treatment or implant work, we're happy to discuss whether the other plan is now a better fit.More on Dental Plans ›

Children and adults are registered and treated on the NHS, with every dentist at the practice, and private care is there if you'd rather. To ask about NHS care, request a call back and say you're enquiring about an NHS place. In Scotland NHS dental treatment is free for everyone under 26, and where NHS care is available here it falls under NHS Tayside. Our NHS dentistry page sets out what's covered.More on NHS Dentistry ›

Yes. Ferry Smile Studios offers two monthly plans: Plan A costs £24.10 and Plan B costs £40.16, and both are designed to spread the cost of your examinations, X-rays and hygiene appointments over the year. You may have heard them called dental membership or dental care packages. Beyond the routine appointments, members enjoy priority booking, emergency visits at no charge and 10% off most private treatment. Sign-up is online through our dental plans page.More on Dental Plans ›

The appointment opens with a conversation: why you've come, whatever concerns you have and how you'd like your teeth to look. Your dentist then examines your gums, teeth and bite, along with the soft tissues inside your mouth, taking X-rays where needed. Before you go, you'll have your options written down with a fee against each, and you don't have to decide anything there and then. A new patient examination with X-rays costs £70.More on New Patients ›

Of course. A free consultation can be nothing more than a conversation: no treatment, and nobody expecting you to have any. If walking through the door still feels too much, start with a message on WhatsApp telling us what frightens you, so the team is prepared before you come. Once you feel ready for treatment, we go at whatever speed suits you, agree a hand signal to pause, and can talk about IV sedation for longer appointments. The options are laid out on our nervous patients page.More on Nervous Patients ›

Usually, yes: ring 01382 477350 as early as you can and we'll do our best to see you the same day. Emergency appointments are open to anyone in pain, patient here or not; it costs £70 (free on a dental plan), and the first stage of treatment is often done at that visit. Our hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm. Closed at weekends. If we're closed, NHS 24 on 111 is the number to call.More on Emergencies ›

Act quickly. Pick the tooth up by the white crown, never the root, and if it's dirty dip it briefly in milk. Where possible, ease it gently back into the socket and bite softly on a clean cloth to keep it there; otherwise drop it into a cup of milk. Ring us on 01382 477350 immediately, even from the car, because the cells on the root surface start dying as soon as the tooth is out and the odds are best when it's replanted inside an hour. Outside our hours, call NHS 24 on 111, or head to A&E if there's a facial injury as well. Never replant a baby tooth, since that risks harming the adult tooth forming beneath it; bring your child to us to be checked instead.More on Broken Tooth ›

Dental examinations are available at Ferry Smile Studios, 196 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry DD5 2AH, right in the heart of the Ferry. New patients start with an examination including X-rays, at £70, with one of our dentists; routine examinations after that cost £70, and both are included if you join a dental plan. Children and adults are registered and treated on the NHS, with every dentist at the practice, and private care is there if you'd rather. Book online or ring 01382 477350.More on General Dentistry ›

Free consultations for Invisalign, composite bonding, smile makeovers and dental implants (full-arch included) are available at Ferry Smile Studios on Brook Street. You can book online, message us on WhatsApp or call 01382 477350. We take a £40 deposit to hold the slot and refund it within 7 days of your visit. If you need to cancel or rearrange, let us know at least 48 hours ahead. The deposit is only kept if you miss the appointment without telling us. Consultations for facial aesthetics are also free, with a £50 deposit.

Yes. Ferry Smile Studios treats people in pain whether they're registered here, with a different practice or nowhere at all. Emergency appointments are available on the days we're open (see our opening hours) and cost £70, or nothing if you're on a dental plan with us. If you're new, you can book online without registering beforehand, or ring 01382 477350 first thing. Outside our opening hours, NHS 24 on 111 will direct you to urgent dental care.More on Emergencies ›

At Ferry Smile Studios an emergency appointment costs £70, whether you're a patient of ours or not, and dental plan members pay nothing. The purpose of that visit is to find out what's wrong and make you comfortable. If treatment is needed on the day, for example emergency nerve removal (£110) or a temporary filling (£70), we price it and agree it with you before starting.More on Emergencies ›

Generally not. Most toothache stems from an inflamed nerve, decay or a crack in the tooth, and antibiotics do nothing for any of those. Their place is when an infection is spreading, with a swollen face or a temperature, and even then they only buy time. The pain goes for good only once the tooth is dealt with, through a filling, root canal treatment or, where it can't be saved, an extraction. Until you're seen, ordinary painkillers taken as the packet directs are the right thing to use.More on Emergencies ›

Yes. Our address is 196 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry DD5 2AH, in the heart of Broughty Ferry, Dundee. A central spot makes it simpler to slot an appointment in around work, the school run or the shops. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm. Closed at weekends. For directions, see our getting here page.More on Dentist in Broughty Ferry ›

Very close: Broughty Ferry sits between Dundee and Monifieth, and patients come to us from both, along with Barnhill, Carnoustie, Forfar and further afield. The practice is at 196 Brook Street, DD5 2AH, in Broughty Ferry. Our getting here page helps with planning the journey, or ask the team when you book. If you're hoping to come over after work, check our opening hours first.

Let us know when you book and we'll point you to the handiest parking for the time of your appointment. Which option is easiest can vary with the day and the hour, so a quick chat with reception is the best way to sort it. If you have any mobility needs, mention them when you call and we'll help you work out the easiest way to arrive. Directions to the practice are on our getting here page.

No: it's free, and there's no commitment attached. Take two or three photographs of your smile, send them by WhatsApp along with a line or two about what bothers you, and a dentist here will come back to you with a suggested treatment and a probable price bracket drawn from our published fees. Should you want to take it further, the next step is a free consultation, held with a £40 deposit which is returned to you once you've attended. Tips on taking the photos are on the online smile assessment page.More on Online Smile Assessment ›

Just the clinical team here at Ferry Smile Studios. The photos are used to form an opinion for you, and if you later become a patient they're stored securely as part of your dental records. We never put them on social media or use them in marketing without your written consent. How we look after personal information is explained in our privacy notice.More on Online Smile Assessment ›

Normally the same day, if the message reaches us during opening hours. Anything sent after we've closed is picked up first thing when we reopen. Our hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm. Closed at weekends. If you're in pain or have a dental emergency, ring 01382 477350 instead of messaging, so we can get you an appointment.More on Online Smile Assessment ›

Photographs allow us to give a realistic bracket, not a fixed fee. From them a dentist can usually tell which treatment is likely to suit you and point you towards the matching published price, say composite bonding on four teeth at £1,550. The precise figure is confirmed in writing once you've had an examination, with a scan added for Invisalign and implants, since photographs reveal nothing about decay, gum health or bone.More on Online Smile Assessment ›

Yes. You can email them to info@ferrysmilestudios.co.uk, or request a call at a time that works for you. Or leave the photos out entirely, book a free consultation through our website and come with your questions. Whichever route you take, a dentist, not a sales team, looks at what you send.More on Online Smile Assessment ›

Often, yes. A small chip is usually rebuilt with tooth-coloured bonding at that same appointment, while a larger break might be given a filling or a core build-up. Where a crown is needed, a temporary one goes on to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is being made. The emergency appointment costs £70, and you'll have the price of the permanent repair in writing before it goes ahead.More on Broken Tooth ›

Usually it does, and sooner rather than later. Once the enamel has chipped, the softer dentine underneath wears and decays more quickly, and a crack tends to creep a little further each time you bite. Mending a chip with a small filling or some bonding is quicker and a great deal cheaper than a crown or root canal treatment further down the line. A brief examination, with an X-ray where necessary, will show whether it can safely be left for now.More on Broken Tooth ›

Because the chip has uncovered dentine, the layer under the enamel, and dentine carries temperature straight through to the nerve. Covering it with bonding or a filling usually stops the sensitivity. But if the reaction to cold lingers beyond a few seconds, starts up on its own, throbs or disturbs your sleep, the nerve is probably inflamed and you might need root canal treatment. Have it examined rather than waiting to see how it develops.More on Broken Tooth ›

Sometimes. Where enough sound root is left above the bone, the tooth can be restored using a post and core build-up topped with a crown. An X-ray gives us the answer; some teeth that break this low aren't restorable, especially if the crack travels down the root. If yours is beyond saving, we remove it gently and talk through the options for replacing it: a denture, a bridge or an implant.More on Broken Tooth ›

No. Antibiotics can settle an infection that's spreading, and we do sometimes prescribe them alongside treatment, but a tooth whose nerve has died is beyond their reach, so once the course ends the abscess comes back. A permanent fix means treating the cause: either root canal treatment, which cleans out the inside of the tooth, or taking the tooth out altogether. With facial swelling plus a temperature, you should be seen that day.More on Dental Abscess ›

No. The pain may ease off, perhaps because the abscess has burst and drained or the nerve has finally died, but the infection remains in the bone surrounding the root and flares up again, often more severely. A persistent bad taste, or a small pimple on the gum that appears and disappears, tells you it's still there. Toothache that suddenly stops isn't a cure, so book in to be checked.More on Dental Abscess ›

The majority of abscesses are painful rather than dangerous; the emergency arises when infection spreads around the eye, into the neck or into the floor of the mouth. Don't wait for a dental appointment: head to A&E or call 999 if the swelling is affecting your breathing or swallowing, if you feel unwell with a high temperature, or if the swelling is plainly getting bigger. For anything milder, ring us that day, or call NHS 24 on 111 outside our hours.More on Dental Abscess ›

Frequently it can. Root canal treatment takes the infected nerve out, then cleans and seals the inside of the tooth, after which the tooth can serve for many years with a filling or crown on top. Some teeth are better removed, among them those cracked all the way through, fractured beneath the gum or left with too little surrounding bone. The X-ray taken at your emergency appointment usually makes clear which applies to you.More on Dental Abscess ›

Let us know as soon as you can; cancelling late still means your consultation deposit is returned. If you need to cancel or rearrange, let us know at least 48 hours ahead. The deposit is only kept if you miss the appointment without telling us. If you're running late, give us a ring and we'll say whether we can still see you. We send reminders by text message, so make sure the mobile number we hold for you is up to date.More on How We Work ›

Yes: we book a second opinion as a free consultation, with a £40 deposit refunded within 7 days of your visit. Where a proper answer calls for a CT scan, perhaps to assess bone for an implant, that costs £160, and we'll let you know before taking it. Bring along any X-rays, scans or treatment plans you've already got. You're under no obligation to go ahead with us afterwards.More on Second Opinion ›

No. You don't have to tell anybody, and we'd contact your dentist only if you asked us to. Seeking another opinion ahead of a major decision is completely normal. Should you choose to go ahead with treatment here, we can forward a copy of the plan to your dentist so your records are kept complete.More on Second Opinion ›

Yes. Under data protection law you're entitled to copies of your own records, and that includes X-rays and scans. Ask the practice to email them either to you or directly to us. Recent X-rays may spare you having more taken, although we might still need fresh ones if they're out of date or don't cover the relevant area. And if you can't obtain them, we'll just take whatever is needed.More on Dentist near Newport-on-Tay ›

Ferry Smile Studios, at 196 Brook Street in Broughty Ferry, welcomes children of every age alongside their parents. Where NHS care is available, a child's dental care in Scotland is free, and through the national Childsmile programme children can have fluoride varnish applied, with guidance for parents on brushing and diet. Our dentists are used to seeing everyone from toddlers to teenagers. To ask about a place for your child, request a call back or send us a WhatsApp message.More on Children's Dentistry ›

Once the first teeth appear, and certainly before their first birthday. That initial appointment is brief and gentle: a quick peek inside the mouth, usually with your child on your knee, plus advice for you about brushing, teething and sugary drinks. Beginning early makes the practice a familiar, ordinary place instead of somewhere they're taken only when something is sore. It also lets us catch early decay, or teeth erupting awkwardly, at the stage when they're simplest to manage.More on Children's Dentistry ›

Where NHS care is available, yes: across Scotland, NHS dental examinations and treatment, which includes fluoride varnish, fissure sealants and fillings, cost nothing for children and for anyone under 26. Ask us about the position at this practice when you get in touch. If you'd prefer to see us privately, a child examination costs £38.More on Children's Dentistry ›

Use the request a call back form on our website, or send us a WhatsApp, and we'll explain how to register your child and arrange their first dental examination; where NHS care is available, that examination is free. If you'd like to register yourself at the same time, just say so.More on NHS Dentistry ›

We go gently: the first few visits are kept short, every step is explained in language your child can follow, and they get to see the chair and the little mirror before anyone looks inside. No child is hurried into treatment. At home, it helps to talk about the appointment in a calm, matter-of-fact way and avoid words such as "needle" or "hurt". Some children relax more quickly once they've watched a parent have their own examination.More on Children's Dentistry ›

Our aesthetics clinician at Ferry Smile Studios offers anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers for the cheeks, lips, chin and jawline, as well as for tear troughs, temples and smile lines, plus jaw slimming and non-surgical nose reshaping. The price list also includes skin treatments, including chemical peels, polynucleotides and under-eye treatment. Each treatment begins with a free consultation in person, and we only treat patients aged 18 and over. The fee for every treatment is on our facial aesthetics page.More on Facial Aesthetics ›

You can book online or call 01382 477350 to arrange a free in-person consultation with our aesthetics clinician at Ferry Smile Studios. We take a £50 deposit to reserve the time, refunded within 7 days of you attending. If you need to cancel or rearrange, let us know at least 48 hours ahead. The deposit is only kept if you miss the appointment without telling us. During the consultation they'll take your medical history, assess your face and talk through the choices, the likely outcome, the risks and the cost, and there's no obligation to proceed on the day.More on Facial Aesthetics ›

For most people, three to four months, before the muscles slowly regain movement and lines return. It isn't instant either: the effect develops over about two weeks, which is when we like to review you. Responses vary from person to person, so we learn your own timing over the first couple of appointments. At Ferry Smile Studios, our aesthetics clinician provides anti-wrinkle injections from £200 for two areas.More on Facial Aesthetics ›

Yes. Fillers made of hyaluronic acid, which are the most commonly used kind, can be dissolved with an injection of an enzyme called hyaluronidase, either because you'd prefer it gone or because it's needed on safety grounds. The enzyme usually does its work within a day or two, though occasionally a second treatment is needed. Lip dissolve costs £150. This is one more argument for a conservative first treatment: topping up later is much simpler than removing filler.More on Facial Aesthetics ›

For most people, no: they head back to work or get on with their day. Anti-wrinkle injections sometimes leave tiny bumps that disappear within an hour or so. With fillers you may see some bruising, swelling or redness over the next few days, and lip swelling tends to peak on day one, so leave at least two weeks between treatment and a wedding, holiday or similar occasion. Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas and alcohol for the first 24 hours.More on Facial Aesthetics ›