Your Questions, Our Answers

No, you'll have teeth to wear at every stage of implant treatment. With full-arch work, most people go home on surgery day wearing a fixed temporary bridge. ¹ If fixed teeth on the day turn out not to be possible, you wear a temporary denture instead, and with a clip-in denture your current denture serves until the implants are ready. For a single front tooth we make a temporary tooth to cover the space while the implant settles. Further back, the gum heals around a small cap that rarely shows when you talk or smile, and we can usually fit a temporary there too if the gap bothers you.More on Dentist near Larkhall ›

A well-looked-after implant can last for decades, and for many people it stays in for life. The crown on top is a different matter: it takes the daily wear of chewing and may need remaking at some point. What shortens an implant's life is mostly within your control, chiefly smoking, infection of the gum around it, and skipping the hygiene visits that catch problems early. Grinding can chip or loosen the crown, which is why we often suggest a night guard.More on Dentist near Strathaven ›

There's no upper age limit; what decides it is your health, not your birthday. We look at your general health and medication, how much bone there is in the jaw (your CT scan shows this), and whether you, or someone helping you, can keep the area clean. Some conditions and drugs, such as osteoporosis tablets or diabetes that isn't well controlled, need extra care in planning, and we'll go through them with you. At the younger end, implants wait until the jaw has finished growing, usually around 18 or later.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

Often yes, because being told you lack bone doesn't always rule implants out. The CT scan we take here measures the height and width of the bone in three dimensions, which tells us far more than a flat X-ray. Depending on what it shows, the answer might be a shorter or narrower implant, implants angled into firmer bone (common in full-arch work), or a bone graft, from £535. If the scan says implants really aren't sensible, we'll say so and talk you through bridges or dentures instead.More on Dentist near East Kilbride ›

Not during the procedure: the area is numbed with local anaesthetic, so you'll notice pressure and some vibration but no sharp pain. Guided surgery through a 3D-printed guide often needs only a small opening in the gum, which helps with comfort afterwards. Most people take paracetamol or ibuprofen for two or three days, and many are back at work within a day or two of a single implant. If sitting in the chair is the hard part, IV sedation is available at £500 per session.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

Yes, implant treatment in Hamilton comes with a 5-year guarantee for non-smokers who attend hygiene visits every 3 months. The conditions are there for a reason: smoking and poor cleaning are the two biggest causes of implant problems, and regular hygiene visits catch trouble early. We set out the exact terms in writing, in your consent form, before any treatment starts, so you know where you stand.More on How We Work ›

We use MegaGen AnyRidge implants, a system that holds the CleanImplant Trusted Quality seal for the cleanliness of its implant surfaces (the seal belongs to the implant, not to our practice). Dr Sharma maps each one out on our in-house CT scanner first. A 3D-printed guide made from that plan then steers the drill using MegaGen's R2 guided surgery system, so the implant lands where it was designed. Sticking with one established system also means parts are easy to source for years to come.More on Dentist near East Kilbride ›

A single implant with its crown is from £2,605, covering the implant placed through a 3D-printed guide, the abutment that connects it, the crown, your review visits while it heals and a 5-year guarantee for non-smokers who attend hygiene visits every 3 months. ² Things only some people need are priced on top: the CT scan (£160), a bone graft, removing the old tooth, or IV sedation. Each item appears in your written plan before you agree to anything. Once you've said yes, that figure is fixed.More on Dental Implants ›

Most implants heal without trouble, but like any surgery there are risks, and you should hear them from us first. Swelling, bruising and tenderness for a few days are expected. Less commonly an infection develops, or the implant fails to fuse with the bone; it's then removed, the site heals and a new one can usually be placed. Nerve and sinus damage are rare, and planning on a CT scan lets us map those structures and keep clear of them, while smoking, untreated gum disease and poorly controlled diabetes all raise the odds of a problem.More on Dental Implants ›

Brush it twice a day and clean around it daily with an interdental brush sized for the gap, just as you would a natural tooth, including under any implant bridge. A water flosser helps if you find small brushes fiddly. The gum around an implant can become inflamed (peri-implantitis), and if that goes unnoticed it can quietly cost bone. Hygiene visits with Simra, our hygienist, let us check and clean the area properly, and Airflow is gentle on implant surfaces. If you clench or grind, a night guard (£210) protects the crown from chipping.More on Dental Implants ›

You'd go home with a temporary denture and move on to your fixed bridge once the implants have bonded with the bone. ¹ Whether a fixed bridge can go on the same day depends on how firmly the implants grip when they're placed, and that can only be measured during surgery. Your CT scan gives Dr Sharma a good idea beforehand, so he'll tell you at your consultation which outcome is more likely. Waiting usually adds a few months before the fixed teeth are fitted, but the fee doesn't change.More on Dentist near East Kilbride ›

The prices are for one jaw, starting at £12,500 per arch, so treating top and bottom counts as two arches. ² The material of the final bridge sets the fee: acrylic at £12,500, zirconia at £15,000, or a titanium bar with zirconia at £18,500. Your written plan adds up the total, including any extractions, grafting or sedation, before anything starts.More on Dentist near East Kilbride ›

At Hamilton Smile Studios, 20–22 Brandon Street, Hamilton ML3 6AB, where Dr Nikhil Sharma plans and places implants using our own CT scanner. A single implant with its crown is from £2,605 and full-arch implants from £12,500 per arch. The first consultation is free, with a £40 deposit that's refunded within 7 days once you attend. Scanning, planning and guided surgery with MegaGen AnyRidge implants all happen in the one building, and patients come to us from East Kilbride, Motherwell, Bothwell and Larkhall as well as the town itself.

Here in Hamilton, a single implant with its crown starts at £2,605, including guided placement, the abutment, the crown and a 5-year guarantee for non-smokers who attend hygiene visits every 3 months. ² Prices across Scotland vary widely, and a headline figure doesn't always include the crown, so ask any practice exactly what's covered. A CT scan (£160) and bone grafting, if you need them, are added separately and shown in your written plan.More on Dental Implants ›

Hamilton Smile Studios on 20–22 Brandon Street, in the town centre, fits implant-retained dentures that clip onto implants so they stay still when you eat and speak. Dr Sharma plans the implants on our CT scanner and places them through a 3D-printed guide, usually two in the lower jaw and four in the upper. The consultation is free, and you carry on wearing your existing denture while the implants heal. Our implant-retained dentures page walks through each stage.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

An implant-retained denture costs from £8,500 per jaw at our Hamilton practice. ² The final figure depends mainly on which jaw it is and how many implants it needs: the lower jaw usually takes two, the upper four. A CT scan, where required, is £160.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

Two implants are usually enough for a lower denture, while an upper one normally needs four. Bone in the upper jaw is softer and less dense, so the biting load has to be shared across more implants to keep the denture steady. Your CT scan confirms the number for your own mouth. Now and then a lower denture is planned on more than two, where the bone is thin or the bite is especially heavy.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

No, we make you a new denture with the clip housings built into it. Adapting an old denture rarely gives a precise, strong fit, and older acrylic tends to crack around the attachments. Your current denture isn't wasted, though: you wear it while the implants heal, often with a soft temporary lining, and many people keep it as a spare afterwards.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

Neither suits everyone: a clip-in denture costs less and comes out for cleaning, while fixed teeth stay in and feel closer to your own. An implant-retained denture is from £8,500 per jaw on two to four implants; fixed full-arch teeth are from £12,500 per arch on four to six. ² Fixed teeth need more bone, or angled implants to make up for it, and a bit more effort cleaning underneath. Your scan, your budget and how you feel about taking teeth out at night all feed into it, and we'll lay the two side by side at your consultation.More on Dentist near Wishaw ›

Take it out morning and night to clean it, and brush the implant heads and your gums while it's out. Use a soft brush and a non-abrasive cleaner on the denture itself, since ordinary toothpaste scratches acrylic. The small nylon inserts that grip the implants wear with use and are swapped at a routine visit when you notice the hold loosening, typically once a year or so. Keep up your hygiene visits so the gum around each implant stays healthy.More on Implant-Retained Dentures ›

It's a relaxed appointment of talking, checking and planning, and you won't have any treatment on the day. We'll ask what bothers you about the missing tooth or teeth and go over your health and medicines. Then Dr Sharma looks at the space, the gum and how your teeth meet, and arranges a CT scan where one is needed (£160), which lets you see your own bone on screen. You go home with a written plan, options and a fixed fee; the visit itself costs nothing beyond a £40 deposit that comes back to you within a week, and our implant consultation page has more.More on Dentist near Strathaven ›

No, you can book an implant consultation with us directly. If your dentist has X-rays or notes, bring copies along. You're welcome to stay with your own dentist for dental examinations and come to us for the implant alone. If you'd like, we'll send your dentist a copy of the treatment plan so they know what's been done. Dentists who want to refer a patient can use our referrals page.More on Dentist near Bothwell ›

Yes, you'll leave with a written plan showing the full fee for your treatment. It lists everything your case needs, such as a bone graft, an extraction or a temporary tooth, so nothing gets added later. Once you decide to go ahead, the fee is fixed. If you're comparing quotes, check whether the other figure includes the crown and abutment as well as the implant, because ours does.More on Dentist near Strathaven ›

Yes, and a second-opinion consultation is free, like any other implant consultation. Bring whatever you were given elsewhere, such as X-rays, scans or a written quote, and we'll look at it alongside our own CT scan. If you were told there isn't enough bone, the 3D scan shows exactly what's there, and angled implants or grafting can sometimes make treatment possible. You'll get an honest view, even if it's that the first plan was sound; see our second opinion page.More on Dentist near East Kilbride ›

Dr Nikhil Sharma, our principal dentist, places the implants here. He plans every case on our own CT scanner, so the bone, nerves and sinuses can be seen in 3D before treatment. Each implant is then placed with MegaGen R2 guided surgery through a 3D-printed guide made from that plan. That means the dentist who designs your implant on screen is the one who places it. You can read more about him on our team page.More on Dental Implants ›

No, IV sedation isn't a general anaesthetic, so you stay awake but very relaxed. You can still answer questions and follow simple instructions, yet time tends to pass quickly and most people recall very little afterwards. We still numb the tooth with an injection, and a small clip on your finger tracks your pulse and oxygen the whole time. There's more on our sedation page.More on Sedation ›

Yes, you'll need a responsible adult to bring you home and keep you company until the evening. The sedative lingers for hours after you feel fine, so for 24 hours you shouldn't drive, cycle, drink alcohol, use machinery, look after young children on your own or sign anything important. If you can't arrange an escort we'll have to postpone, so let us know early and we'll find another date.More on Nervous Patients ›

No, sedation is kept for treatment rather than routine examinations. IV sedation is £500 a session plus £250 for each extra 30 minutes, so it makes most sense for longer or more involved work. If a dental examination is what worries you, mention it when you book: we can give you a longer slot, explain each step before we do it and stop whenever you ask. Our nervous patients page explains what else helps.

Start with a call to 01698 767220 or a WhatsApp message to 07904 504756, and tell us how long it's been and how you feel about coming in. If it helps, your first appointment can simply be a chat before you go anywhere near the chair. Plenty of people in Hamilton have stayed away for a long time, and nobody here gets a telling-off. Once we've had a look, we'll put things in order so you know what matters now and what can wait.More on Dentist near Wishaw ›

We stop. Before starting we agree a signal, usually raising a hand, and the moment you use it everything pauses. You can sit up, have some water and tell us what triggered it, and we only pick up again when you're ready. If panic is likely, it's worth discussing IV sedation for your treatment, which takes the edge off for most anxious people.More on Nervous Patients ›

Yes, IV sedation is available for treatment at £500 per session. A fine needle goes into a vein, usually on the hand, and the medicine calms you within minutes, while local anaesthetic numbs the tooth as usual. We don't sedate people for dental examinations; for those we slow down, explain each step and let you lead. Your medical history is checked first, because sedation isn't safe for everyone, for example during pregnancy or with certain breathing problems.More on Nervous Patients ›

For most adults twice a year is about right, though some mouths need cleaning every three months. Shorter gaps suit people being treated for gum disease and anyone with implants or fixed full-arch teeth, because plaque builds up around them quickly. Simra Ashraf, our hygienist, will recommend a rhythm once she's seen how your gums behave, and it can be relaxed later if they stay healthy. Our dental plans cover either two or four Airflow visits a year.More on Hygiene and Air Polish ›

Airflow cleans teeth with a fine jet of warm water, air and very fine powder, lifting plaque and staining without scraping. It reaches awkward spots such as around brace wires, bridges and implants, and most people find it more comfortable than an old-style polish. A 30-minute hygiene visit with Airflow is £100, or you can add it to a standard visit for £30. Both of our dental plans include it.More on Hygiene and Air Polish ›

For most people, no; you'll feel scraping and pressure, and it's over in about half an hour. Tender, inflamed gums can be sore, especially if it's been a while, and then we can numb the area first or split the work over two visits. Tell Simra if anything is uncomfortable and she'll adjust what she's doing; Airflow polishing is also much gentler than the gritty paste many people remember. Gums usually feel much better a few days later, once the inflammation settles.More on Hygiene and Air Polish ›

Bleeding gums are usually a sign of gingivitis, inflammation caused by plaque sitting along the gum line. It feels wrong, but the fix is to keep brushing gently and clean between your teeth every day, not to avoid the sore spots. If the bleeding hasn't eased after a couple of weeks of better cleaning, book a hygiene visit, since hardened tartar can't be brushed off at home. Bleeding along with loose teeth, shrinking gums or a bad taste needs checking sooner.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

The early stage can: gingivitis clears up completely with a professional clean and good daily care. The later stage, periodontitis, can't be cured, because the bone it destroys around the teeth doesn't grow back, which is why teeth can look longer or small gaps can appear once the gums settle after treatment. What we can do is halt it with deep cleaning below the gum and keep it stable for life with three-monthly maintenance, so you keep your teeth. Smokers and people with diabetes need closer follow-up, because both make gum disease harder to control.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

A 30-minute hygiene visit is £70, or £100 with Airflow polishing. If you need longer, a 60-minute deep clean is £130, or £117 on a dental plan. Routine hygiene visits come with both Plan A (£24.10 a month) and Plan B (£40.16 a month), along with your examinations. Every price is on our fees page.More on Dental Plans ›

Gum treatment for periodontitis at our Hamilton practice is £100 per stage, over four stages. ² Milder problems may need only a hygiene visit at £70 or a 60-minute deep clean at £130. Dental plan members pay £90 per stage and have their regular hygiene visits included. We measure your gums and take X-rays first, then tell you what you need before treatment starts; see our gum disease treatment page.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

Deep cleaning is done under local anaesthetic, so you'll feel pressure and scraping but not pain. For a few days afterwards the gums can be tender, and the teeth can stay sensitive to cold for a few weeks while the roots settle, especially as swelling goes down and the gums tighten. A sensitive toothpaste helps in that time. Routine hygiene visits don't usually need anaesthetic, and Airflow is gentler than traditional scraping.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

Every three months, at least for the first year or so after your gum treatment. That isn't upselling: the bacteria behind periodontitis rebuild under the gum within about three months, and regular visits break them up before they do damage. If your gums stay stable, the interval can sometimes be stretched. Plan B includes four hygiene visits a year, which fits this schedule.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

Yes, as long as your gum disease is treated and stable first. Implants placed into a mouth with active gum disease are more likely to develop infection around them and fail. Once the gums are healthy, the same three-monthly hygiene routine protects both your remaining teeth and the implants. It's one reason our 5-year guarantee for non-smokers who attend hygiene visits every 3 months depends on regular hygiene visits.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

Yes, unhealthy gums are among the most frequent reasons breath stays stale however much you brush. It's especially likely if your gums also bleed or you notice a bad taste. Bacteria living in the pockets around diseased gums give off sulphur compounds that smell, and mouthwash only masks them for an hour or two. Treating the gums usually fixes it, along with cleaning between the teeth and brushing the tongue. Our bad breath guide covers the other causes.More on Gum Disease Treatment ›

A well-made crown usually lasts 10 to 15 years, and plenty last longer. The crown itself rarely gives out first; more often the tooth underneath decays at the edge, the gum recedes, or heavy grinding cracks the ceramic. Cleaning between your teeth every day, keeping up dental examinations and wearing a night guard if you grind all add years. When a crown does start to fail, the X-rays at your dental examination usually pick it up early.More on Dental Crowns ›

At Hamilton Smile Studios on 20–22 Brandon Street, with ceramic crowns from £675 on molars and premolars and from £750 on the teeth at the front. ² We take a digital scan with the iTero Lumina instead of putty impressions, which most people find far easier. A crown normally takes two appointments: one to shape the tooth, scan it and fit a temporary, and one to fit the finished crown. Our dentists Dr Karanveer Singh and Dr Lee Min Ning both carry out crown work.More on Dental Crowns ›

It comes down to how much sound tooth is left: a small hole needs a filling, but a tooth that's mostly filling or badly broken usually needs a crown. In between, an onlay (£750) covers and protects the biting surface while keeping more natural tooth than a crown would. Root-filled back teeth generally need a crown or onlay, because they turn brittle. Your dentist will show you the tooth on the scan and X-ray, and our guide to crowns, onlays and fillings goes further.More on Dental Crowns ›

A one-surface white filling in Hamilton costs £105 at the front of the mouth or £118 further back. ² Bigger fillings that cover more of the tooth cost more, so a three-surface filling on a back tooth is £165. Dental plan members pay 10% less, for example £106 for a one-surface back filling. We confirm the fee before we start.More on White Fillings ›

Each tooth has five surfaces, and the price of a filling depends on how many of them it covers. Think of a tooth as a box: the top you chew on, the face towards your lips or cheek, the face towards your tongue, and the front and back walls that touch its neighbours. A small hole on the chewing surface is a one-surface filling, whereas decay between two back teeth often spreads to two or three. Your dentist will tell you how many are involved before starting.More on White Fillings ›

Partly: the NHS provides tooth-coloured fillings where they're clinically appropriate, mainly at the front of the mouth, while molars and premolars commonly get silver amalgam. Every filling we place privately is white. Registered NHS patients can also pay privately for a white filling on a back tooth (from £118 for one surface) while staying on the NHS for everything else. See our white fillings page.More on White Fillings ›

Only if there's a good reason, such as a crack, decay under the filling, a leaking edge, or because it bothers you when you smile. A sound amalgam filling can be left alone, and drilling it out for no reason means losing more healthy tooth each time. The X-rays at your dental examination show which fillings are failing. If you want some swapped for appearance, we can plan it gradually; our guide on changing metal fillings to white explains more.More on White Fillings ›

They shouldn't, because we numb the tooth first, so you'll notice vibration and pressure rather than pain. If injections worry you, we put numbing gel on first and go at your pace. For very small fillings some people prefer to skip the injection, and that's your choice. Once the numbness wears off, the tooth may be a little sensitive to cold for a week or two, which is normal. If it aches when you bite after that, the filling may need a small adjustment, so let us know.More on White Fillings ›

Most white fillings take one appointment of 30 to 60 minutes, depending on size. The composite goes in layers, each hardened with a blue curing light, then it's shaped to your bite and polished. Because it's fully set before you leave, there's no waiting before you can chew on it; the only wait is for the numbness to wear off.More on White Fillings ›

A custom night guard made from a digital scan costs £210 at our Hamilton practice. ² For heavier grinding or jaw pain, a hard occlusal splint is from £620. We also make sports mouthguards at £190 and anti-snoring devices from £620. Dental plan members save 10% on each of these; see our night guards and mouthguards page.More on Night Guards and Mouthguards ›

You probably do if you wake with an aching jaw or headaches, your teeth look worn or chipped at the edges, or fillings and crowns keep breaking. A partner may hear the grinding, but many people only find out when we spot the wear at a dental examination. A guard is especially worth having if you've had veneers, bonding or implants. It protects work that cost far more than the guard itself.More on Night Guards and Mouthguards ›

A night guard is a thin protective cover for everyday grinding; a hard occlusal splint is a rigid appliance fine-tuned to your bite for heavier problems. The splint, from £620, is adjusted over a few visits and suits severe wear, heavy clenching or pain in the jaw joint, where relaxing the muscles matters as much as protecting the teeth. A night guard is £210 and is usually all that's needed for mild to moderate grinding. Your dentist will suggest which suits after looking at your teeth and jaw.More on Night Guards and Mouthguards ›

For plain snoring, often yes: a custom anti-snoring device, from £620, eases your lower jaw a few millimetres forward at night so the throat is less likely to close and vibrate. It's made from a scan and fitted so it doesn't strain your jaw joints. Loud snoring with gaps in breathing, choking or waking unrefreshed can mean obstructive sleep apnoea, and your GP should arrange tests for that before anything else. If the sleep team agree an oral appliance would help, we can make it for you.More on Night Guards and Mouthguards ›

Yes, a custom guard fits better, protects better and actually gets worn, which is the whole point. Made from a scan of your teeth, it's thinner than a boil-and-bite guard, stays put without clenching, and lets you breathe and shout to teammates. It also spreads the force of a knock more evenly across the teeth. Shop guards tend to be bulky and loose, so players take them out; ours are £190.More on Night Guards and Mouthguards ›

A sports mouthguard usually lasts one or two seasons, but needs remaking sooner if teeth move, after dental treatment, or as a child's mouth grows. Check it for splits, thin spots and a looser fit at the start of each season. Night guards wear out more slowly, often lasting several years, though heavy grinders get through them faster. We check night guards at your dental examination, and once you can see a crack or a spot worn right through, it's time for a new one.More on Night Guards and Mouthguards ›

With a white filling, food is fine once the feeling has come back, since the curing light hardens the composite completely during the appointment. The reason to wait is the numbness itself: it's easy to bite your lip, cheek or tongue without feeling it. Children especially need watching for this. If you must eat sooner, pick something soft and chew on the other side.More on White Fillings ›

Most jaw pain comes from the chewing muscles being overworked by clenching or grinding, often at night and often linked to stress. Less often the trouble is in the joint itself, such as the disc inside slipping out of place (which causes clicking) or wear in the joint. A bite that has changed, for example after a high filling or lost teeth, can set off either. Toothache and sinus problems can also feel like jaw pain, so it's worth a check; read more about jaw pain and TMJ.More on Jaw Pain and TMJ ›

A click with no pain is common and usually nothing to worry about. If it comes with pain, or your jaw catches, locks or won't open fully, it's worth having it assessed. Treatment is usually simple: a splint, a few habit changes such as cutting out chewing gum, and softer food for a while often stop it getting worse.More on Jaw Pain and TMJ ›

Usually, when the pain comes from grinding and clenching in your sleep: most people feel the difference within a few weeks as the muscles get a break. When the joint is the source rather than the muscles, a rigid splint fine-tuned to your bite over a few appointments (£620) does better than a standard guard. If things don't improve, we'll look again for other causes. A night guard costs £210.More on Jaw Pain and TMJ ›

Yes, temporomandibular disorder is diagnosed by examining the jaw joints, the chewing muscles and your bite, together with your history and an X-ray if needed. Most cases can be managed here with a splint, advice on habits and simple jaw exercises. If there are signs of something more, such as a jaw that locks repeatedly or changes in the joint on an X-ray, we'll refer you to a hospital oral and maxillofacial team.More on Jaw Pain and TMJ ›

Very often, yes. Stress increases clenching, both in the day without you noticing and while you sleep, and the jaw muscles take the strain. Catching the daytime clench (the resting position is lips together, teeth apart) and wearing a night guard for sleep together make the biggest difference. Warm compresses and gentle stretching can ease sore muscles in the meantime.More on Jaw Pain and TMJ ›

Our dentists at Hamilton Smile Studios on 20–22 Brandon Street carry out root canal treatment, from £450 for a front tooth. Dr Karanveer Singh and Dr Lee Min Ning both provide it, starting with a check of the tooth and an X-ray that shows the roots and any infection around them. If you're in pain, we hold emergency appointments, open to people who aren't registered with us too, at £70. A tooth with very unusual or blocked canals may occasionally be referred on.More on Root Canal Treatment ›

Root canal treatment in Hamilton costs £450 for an incisor, £525 for a premolar and £595 for a molar, with dental plan members paying £405, £473 and £536. ² If the tooth is very painful, a first stage to remove the nerve and settle it is £150. Molars and premolars normally need a crown or onlay afterwards to stop them cracking, priced separately. Redoing an old root filling is from £595.More on Root Canal Treatment ›

With local anaesthetic, a root canal feels much like a long filling: you'll be aware of pressure and the sound of the instruments but shouldn't feel pain. The pain people link with root canals usually comes from the infection beforehand, and treatment is what ends it. Expect the tooth to be tender to bite on for a few days, which everyday painkillers handle. A badly inflamed tooth can take longer to go numb, and we'll wait until it has.More on Root Canal Treatment ›

One or two, depending on the tooth and how infected it is. A straightforward front tooth can often be cleaned, shaped and sealed in a single sitting. With active infection or a lot of pain, we clean the canals, place a medicated dressing and a temporary filling, then finish a week or two later. Back teeth then need another visit or two for the crown or onlay.More on Root Canal Treatment ›

Back teeth usually do; front teeth often don't. Once the nerve is gone, a molar or premolar becomes more brittle while still taking heavy chewing forces, so an onlay (£750) or crown (from £675) is the surest protection against it splitting. A front tooth with little filling in it can often be finished with a white filling instead. If a back tooth has lost a lot of structure, a fibre post (£160) may be needed to anchor the crown.More on Dental Crowns ›

If the tooth can be saved and restored, keeping it is usually the wiser choice. A root-filled tooth with a good crown can last many years, and saving it generally costs less than removing it and replacing it with an implant or bridge later. Taking it out is quicker and cheaper on the day, but the gap lets neighbouring teeth drift and the bone shrink. Where a tooth is split below the gum or too broken down to rebuild, we'll say so and explain how it could be replaced.More on Root Canal Treatment ›

Private dentures in Hamilton start at £495 for an immediate acrylic denture, £565 for a small partial and £695 for a full acrylic set. ² A cobalt chrome partial, which is thinner and stronger, is from £1,200. Members of our dental plans get 10% off these private dentures, and registered NHS patients can have dentures on the NHS. If you'd rather the denture were held firmly on implants, that's from £8,500 for each jaw, with no plan discount.More on Dentures ›

Usually a few weeks, over three to five appointments. These cover the scan or impressions, a try-in to check the look and bite (for larger dentures), the fitting, and an adjustment once you've worn them for a few days. An immediate denture works differently: it's made in advance and fitted the day the teeth come out, then relined a few months later once the gums have shrunk and settled.More on Dentures ›

Lower full dentures move more than uppers because there's less gum to grip, and the tongue and cheeks push them about. Upper dentures usually stay put better, since they seal against the roof of the mouth. New dentures take a few weeks to settle, and one that has loosened over the years can often be relined (£110). If a lower denture never feels secure, two implants underneath make the biggest difference of anything we offer.More on Dentures ›

Yes, if you're registered with us as an NHS patient, with charges capped at £384 per course of treatment. Paying privately opens up a wider range: stronger metal-framed partials, more natural-looking teeth and a closer colour match.More on Dentures ›

Yes, most broken dentures can be repaired, and a tooth can be added to an existing denture for £105. If it's loose rather than broken, a chairside reline (£110) refits the inside to your gums in one visit. Please don't glue it yourself, as household glues damage acrylic and can make a proper repair impossible. Bring every piece with you.More on Dentist near Wishaw ›

Yes, take them out at night. Your gums need time without pressure, and sleeping in dentures is linked with soreness and fungal infections such as denture stomatitis. Keep them in water or a soaking solution overnight so they don't dry out and warp. Before bed, gently brush your gums, tongue and any remaining teeth.More on Dentures ›

A dental bridge in Hamilton costs £695 per unit for a conventional bridge, or £675 per unit for an immediate resin-retained bridge and £750 per unit for a definitive one. ² To replace one missing tooth, a resin-retained bridge is normally one or two units and a conventional bridge three. A long-term provisional bridge, handy while you decide on an implant, is from £450. Your written plan shows the total before any preparation.More on Dental Bridges ›

A Maryland bridge is a resin-retained bridge: a false tooth held by a thin metal or ceramic wing that's glued to the back of the tooth beside the gap. Very little drilling is needed, and it usually takes two appointments. It's often the first choice for a single missing front tooth, and also works as a fixed temporary while an implant heals. It depends on a good bond, so it can occasionally come loose and need re-cementing (£80).More on Dental Bridges ›

It depends mostly on the teeth either side of the gap. If they're healthy and unfilled, an implant or a resin-retained bridge spares them, whereas a conventional bridge means cutting them down for crowns. An implant, from £2,605 with its crown, stands on its own and helps keep the bone in the gap, but involves minor surgery and a few months of healing. A resin-retained bridge is quicker and costs less, and our guide to implants, bridges and dentures compares all three.More on Dentist near Wishaw ›

Each tooth in a bridge counts as one unit, whether it's the false tooth or a crown that supports it. So a traditional bridge filling a single gap normally comes to three: two crowned anchor teeth and the replacement tooth between them. A resin-retained bridge for a single gap is usually one unit, or two if it's bonded to teeth on both sides. The per-unit fee is multiplied by the number of units to give your total.More on Dental Bridges ›

A conventional bridge can, because the teeth either side are cut down to take crowns, and if they had no fillings that means sacrificing sound enamel. A resin-retained bridge needs little or no shaping, which is why we prefer it when the bite allows. Either way, the supporting teeth need careful cleaning under the false tooth, because decay or gum disease there is the usual reason bridges fail. Simra, our hygienist, can show you how to use floss threaders or small brushes underneath.More on Dental Bridges ›

Typically 10 to 15 years, and often longer, as long as the supporting teeth stay healthy. The weak point is rarely the bridge itself; it's decay or gum disease on the teeth holding it up. Daily cleaning under the false tooth, regular hygiene visits and coming in if it ever feels loose make the biggest difference. A resin-retained bridge that comes unstuck can usually be cleaned and re-cemented.More on Dental Bridges ›

A routine extraction at our Hamilton practice is £125, or £220 when stitches and a collagen plug are needed to help the socket heal. ² Surgical extractions, including most awkward wisdom teeth, are £450. If you'd like to be sedated, IV sedation is £500 per session. You'll know the fee before we start, and plan members pay £113 for a routine extraction.More on Extractions and Wisdom Teeth ›

Not necessarily: a wisdom tooth that has come through straight, meets its partner and can be kept clean can stay. We'd advise removal if it keeps getting infected, is decaying because you can't reach it, is damaging the tooth in front, or has a cyst forming around it. An X-ray shows the position, and if the roots sit close to the nerve, a CT scan (£160) maps it before surgery. Our wisdom teeth guide explains more.More on Extractions and Wisdom Teeth ›

The extraction itself shouldn't hurt, because the tooth and gum are fully numbed; you'll feel pushing and pressure, not pain. Afterwards the area will be sore for a few days, which paracetamol or ibuprofen usually controls. Surgical extractions and wisdom teeth stay sore for longer, with swelling that tends to peak on the second or third day. Following our aftercare advice, especially not smoking, cuts the chance of a painful dry socket.More on Extractions and Wisdom Teeth ›

Yes, IV sedation is available for extractions at £500 per session. It's worth considering for a surgical removal, wisdom teeth, several extractions in one go, or if nerves would otherwise stop you coming. You're awake but very calm and usually remember little, so you'll need a grown-up to collect you and keep an eye on you until bedtime. Being fully asleep under general anaesthetic only happens in hospital, so we'd refer you if you need that.More on Extractions and Wisdom Teeth ›

Dry socket happens when the blood clot in an extraction socket is lost before the gum has healed, leaving the bone exposed. It brings a deep, throbbing pain, often with a bad taste, usually three to five days after the tooth comes out. Smoking, vaping, rinsing hard, spitting and drinking through straws in the first few days are the main causes. It isn't dangerous, but the pain can be severe and ordinary painkillers may barely touch it. If you suspect it, call us: we clean and dress the socket, which usually brings relief within a day or two.More on Extractions and Wisdom Teeth ›

The gum usually closes over within one to two weeks, and most of the soreness eases within a few days. Surgical extractions take longer, often a week or more before you feel back to normal. The bone underneath keeps filling in for several months, so if you're having an implant in the gap we normally wait about three months for things to firm up. For the first few days, stick to soft food and chew on the other side.More on Extractions and Wisdom Teeth ›

Often, yes: we hold back emergency slots each weekday for anyone with toothache, whether or not you're one of our patients, at £70. Phone 01698 767220 soon after we open, because those slots fill up. The dentist checks the tooth and X-rays it first, and if it can be rescued, say with root canal treatment, you'll hear that before anything is removed. Our emergencies page covers what to do in the meantime.More on Emergencies ›

No, in most cases bonding leaves your teeth essentially as they were, because the composite is added on top rather than the tooth being cut down. Sometimes a tiny amount of enamel is smoothed so the join between tooth and composite is hard to spot and the bond is stronger. The surface is prepared with a gel so the composite grips, which is why taking bonding off later means careful polishing, not peeling. Dr Sharma will tell you at your consultation whether any shaping is planned for your teeth.More on Composite Bonding ›

Expect around three to five years before bonding needs a refresh, and often longer if you look after it. Composite is softer than enamel, so the edges wear slowly and the surface can discolour with coffee, tea, curry, red wine or cigarettes. Your hygiene appointments include polishing it back up, and a small chip can usually be patched in a short appointment without redoing the whole tooth. Biting nails or pens, or opening packets with your teeth, will shorten its life.More on Composite Bonding ›

Whitening won't change the colour of bonding, because composite stays the shade it was made in. Whiten afterwards and your natural teeth lighten while the bonded ones don't, so the bonding can end up looking darker and usually needs redoing to match, at £395 a tooth. If you already have bonding and want brighter teeth, we whiten your own teeth with Boutique home whitening, wait about two weeks for the shade to settle, then refresh the composite to match. If you're still planning bonding, whitening first means you only pay once. Our guide on whitening before bonding explains the order.More on Whitening ›

Porcelain veneers last longer and hold their colour, while composite veneers cost less and usually need little or no drilling. Porcelain, from £695 a tooth, is made in a laboratory and generally means removing a thin layer of enamel; composite, at £395 a tooth, is built up by hand in the chair. Composite needs refreshing every few years and can stain, whereas porcelain often goes ten years or more. Our guide to porcelain and composite veneers sets out the trade-offs.More on Smile Makeover ›

Composite bonding repairs chipped edges, closes small gaps, evens out worn or uneven teeth and improves their shape and colour. Tooth-coloured composite is layered onto the tooth and sculpted by hand, then hardened with a light and polished, often in a single visit. Applied over the front of several teeth it becomes composite veneers, which can change the look of a whole smile. It won't move crooked teeth, though; for crowding, straightening with Invisalign first usually gives a better result.More on Composite Bonding ›

Bonding's big advantages are that little or no enamel is removed, it's usually finished in one or two visits and it costs less than porcelain. It's repairable too, so a chip can be patched rather than the whole tooth redone. On the other side, composite stains more easily than porcelain and wears at the edges, so it generally needs refreshing after three to five years. Heavy grinders also chip it more often and may need a night guard to protect it.More on Composite Bonding ›

Dr Nikhil Sharma carries out composite bonding at Hamilton Smile Studios on 20–22 Brandon Street, from £395 a tooth or £1,550 for a four-tooth package that includes whitening. The consultation is free, with a £40 deposit that's refunded within 7 days of attending. For larger cases you'll see a digital design of the result before any composite goes on. We see people from Blantyre, Bothwell, Larkhall and East Kilbride as well as Hamilton itself; our composite bonding page has the details.More on Composite Bonding ›

In Hamilton, our porcelain veneers start at £695 per tooth, while composite veneers cost £395 each. ² Your digital design and trial smile are already built into those prices, so previewing the result costs nothing extra. Most people have between six and ten veneers, enough to cover every tooth on show in a broad smile.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

Hamilton Smile Studios, in Hamilton town centre, provides both porcelain and composite veneers for patients across Lanarkshire. Every case starts with a digital smile design, followed by a trial smile placed over your own teeth so you can see and feel the result before anything is prepared. Dr Nikhil Sharma carries out veneer treatment from start to finish, and consultations are free. Patients travel to us from Motherwell, Wishaw, East Kilbride, Strathaven and further afield.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

With good care, porcelain veneers often last 10 to 15 years, and sometimes considerably longer. The usual reasons for replacing one are a chip from grinding or biting something hard, decay at the edge, or the gum shrinking back to show a margin. Wearing a night guard if you grind, and keeping your dental examinations and hygiene visits, help them go the distance. Composite veneers, by comparison, tend to need a refresh after three to five years.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

Not usually, because the teeth are numbed before any enamel is shaped, so you'll feel pressure rather than pain. Afterwards some people notice sensitivity to cold for a few days, especially while wearing the temporary veneers. The design and trial-smile visits involve no drilling at all, and the trial smile shows us how little shaping your teeth actually need, so preparation is kept as light as possible. Composite veneers are gentler still and often need no injection at all.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

Composite bonding in Hamilton is £395 for a single tooth, or from £1,550 for a four-tooth package with home whitening, a review and a final polish included. ² The larger packages are £2,350 for six teeth, £3,150 for eight and £3,950 for ten. When comparing prices, check whether a quote covers whitening, a review appointment and polishing, because many per-tooth headline prices don't.More on Composite Bonding ›

Every package includes Boutique home whitening first, then the bonding, a review appointment and a final polish. Whitening comes first so the composite can be matched to your brighter shade; bought on its own it's £350. Dr Sharma builds and shapes the composite by hand, and bigger cases include a digital smile design as well. Take the whitening out of the four-tooth package (£1,550) and the bonding works out at £300 a tooth; our bonding packages guide compares them.More on Composite Bonding ›

Not for cosmetic reasons: reshaping or brightening sound teeth with composite is something you'd pay for privately. The NHS will repair a front tooth that's chipped, broken or decayed with a tooth-coloured filling where there's a clinical need. The line between repair and cosmetic improvement isn't always obvious, so ask at your examination and we'll tell you which applies. NHS care here is overseen by NHS Lanarkshire.More on Composite Bonding ›

Usually not, and most patients don't need a numbing injection, since the composite goes on top of the tooth instead of the tooth being drilled. What you'll notice is polishing, a mild gel, and the dentist sculpting and smoothing the material. If one tooth needs a little reshaping first, we can numb just that one. You can eat as normal straight away, though it's wise to go easy on strong tea and coffee for a day or two.More on Composite Bonding ›

Yes, and straightening first then bonding is one of the combinations we plan most often. With the teeth in better positions, less composite is needed, so the result looks more natural and tends to last better. Bonding then tidies worn edges and closes any small spaces that remain. We leave a short pause after your last aligner, and because bonding changes the outline of the teeth, we check your retainers still fit and remake them if not.More on Smile Makeover ›

No, bonding needs healthy teeth and gums, so decay and gum disease have to be sorted first. Heavy grinders tend to chip composite, and for them a night guard, or porcelain, may be more sensible. Very crooked teeth usually look better straightened first, and very dark teeth may need whitening, or porcelain, to hide the colour. If bonding isn't the right answer for your teeth, we'll tell you plainly at your consultation.More on Composite Bonding ›

Yes, composite can be polished off or replaced, and because little or no enamel was removed to begin with, the tooth underneath is left largely as it was. We can also redo old or stained bonding that was placed at another practice, often in a single visit. Separating composite from enamel takes care, so it's a job for the dentist, never something to try at home. If you want it gone completely, we polish the teeth back to a natural finish.More on Composite Bonding ›

No, porcelain veneers are a permanent commitment, since the dentist normally shaves a fine layer from the front of each tooth to make room. Once that's done, the tooth will need covering with a veneer or crown for good. It's why we design the smile digitally and let you try it in your mouth before any preparation. It's also why we'll suggest whitening, bonding or Invisalign first if one of those would get you there with less change to your teeth.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

A veneer covers only the front of a tooth, while a crown covers the whole thing, so a crown means shaping away more tooth. Veneers suit sound teeth you'd like a different shape or colour, from £695 a tooth. A tooth that's heavily filled, cracked or root-treated generally needs the strength of a crown, from £750 at the front. If a veneer will do the job, that's what we'll recommend, because it keeps more of your own tooth.More on Dental Crowns ›

No, NHS Scotland doesn't fund veneers placed purely to change how healthy teeth look. A front tooth that's broken or badly decayed can still be repaired or crowned on the NHS when it's clinically necessary. You can be an NHS patient and pay for cosmetic work privately at the same time, and your plan will show clearly which parts are which.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

Porcelain veneers are from £695 a tooth, and that covers your smile design, the trial smile, temporary veneers while yours are made, the fitting and a review. ² Bought separately, the smile design and trial smile would be £250 and £250, but here they're part of the treatment fee. If you'd like the neighbouring teeth whitened to match, home whitening is £350. Every item is set out in your written plan before anything is prepared.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

Allow around three to four weeks from smile design to fitting, spread over three appointments. The first covers the design and trial smile, the second prepares the teeth and fits temporary veneers, and the third fits the finished porcelain. If you're whitening or straightening first, add that time before the design starts. We don't offer same-day porcelain veneers, because the laboratory work is what gives them their natural depth and colour.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

Dr Nikhil Sharma, our principal dentist, carries out porcelain veneer treatment. He also provides composite bonding and smile makeovers, so he can tell you honestly whether veneers or a lighter option would suit your teeth. You'll have the smile design, trial smile, preparation and fitting with him, so the dentist who plans your smile is the one who delivers it.More on Porcelain Veneers ›

At Hamilton Smile Studios in Hamilton town centre, where Dr Nikhil Sharma plans smile makeovers that combine Invisalign, whitening, composite bonding and veneers, from £2,350. Your new smile is designed digitally around your own face and lips, then tried in as a trial smile so you can see it before agreeing to anything. The smile design is included in your treatment fee, and the consultation is free with a £40 deposit. Our smile makeover page walks through the stages.More on Smile Makeover ›

They work well when the whole smile is planned at the start, rather than fixing one tooth at a time. The order matters: straighten first, then whiten, then add bonding or veneers, so less of your natural tooth needs changing and every shade matches. The trial smile lets you judge the likely result in your own mouth before anything is permanent. How long it lasts depends on the materials, your habits (grinding, smoking, coffee) and keeping up hygiene visits, and results vary from person to person.More on Smile Makeover ›

Ours start from £2,350 for whitening plus composite bonding on six teeth, and the total rises with what your smile needs. ² Adding Invisalign first, or choosing porcelain veneers (from £695 a tooth) for some teeth, changes the figure. After a free consultation you get one fixed fee in writing.More on Smile Makeover ›

Hamilton Smile Studios on 20–22 Brandon Street provides composite bonding, porcelain and composite veneers, home whitening, Invisalign, full smile makeovers and facial aesthetics. Dr Nikhil Sharma leads the cosmetic work, and changes are planned on screen first, with a trial smile for bigger cases so you can preview the result. Patients travel in from Bothwell, Blantyre, East Kilbride and Motherwell, and the first consultation is free. See our cosmetic dentistry page for treatments and fees.More on Cosmetic Dentistry ›

Anywhere from a few weeks to most of a year, depending on what's in the plan. Whitening followed by bonding can usually be done within about a month. If teeth need straightening with Invisalign first, allow several months, and plans that include implants need extra time for healing. Your written plan sets out each stage and roughly when it happens before you commit.More on Smile Makeover ›

Yes, for veneers and bigger cosmetic cases: we design the new smile digitally on photos of your face, then copy that design onto your teeth in temporary material as a trial smile, before any tooth is touched. You can look at it in the mirror, speak, laugh and take photos, and if you'd like the teeth longer, shorter or a different shape, we change the design until it's right. The smile design and trial smile are both included in your treatment fee, and the trial material comes off easily without harming your teeth. Our trial smile guide explains more.More on Dentist near Bothwell ›

Plan on 20 to 22 hours every day, so the aligners are in except when you eat, drink anything other than plain water, or clean your teeth. Brush, or at least rinse well, before they go back in, so food isn't trapped against your teeth. Most people find the first week the hardest, and after that it becomes habit. Leaving them out for long stretches is the commonest reason a case falls behind its plan.More on Invisalign ›

Yes, for good: teeth have a tendency to creep back towards where they started, and a retainer is what stops them. For most people that means clear retainers worn at night once the aligners are finished. A set of Vivera retainers comes with every Invisalign package here, and replacements are £530. Bring them along to dental examinations now and then, and we'll check they still fit snugly.More on Invisalign ›

Yes, when a dentist has checked your mouth first and prescribes a regulated gel at a legal strength. Peroxide lightens the colour within the enamel; it doesn't thin or soften it, and the products that do damage teeth are illegal ones such as acidic chlorine dioxide gels. The usual side effect is a few days of sensitivity, which fades when you pause or finish, and a sensitive toothpaste helps. We don't whiten over untreated decay or gum disease, or during pregnancy, which is why the check comes first.More on Whitening ›

Not with professional whitening gel: UK regulations stop any gel above 0.1% hydrogen peroxide being used on anyone under 18 unless it's to treat or prevent disease. That rule covers dentists as well as salons. If a teenager is unhappy with the colour of their teeth, we look for the cause (surface staining, one darker tooth, white or brown marks in the enamel) and talk through what can be done now and what's worth waiting for. A hygiene visit and better brushing often lift more stain than people expect.More on Whitening ›

Anything from a few months for a small correction to around 12 to 18 months when the crowding or bite is more involved. Your scan and 3D plan show how many aligners you'll need before you agree to start, so you know the expected length from day one. We review you roughly every 6 to 8 weeks to check your teeth are tracking. Wearing the aligners for the full hours is what keeps you on schedule.More on Invisalign ›

Not exactly: the simulation shows the planned destination, not a guaranteed one. It's built from your iTero Lumina scan and maps how each tooth should move, which helps us pick the right package and shows you what's realistic. Bone, gums and how faithfully you wear the aligners all affect how closely teeth follow the plan. We compare your progress against it at every review, and refinements are there if the last stage needs fine-tuning.More on Invisalign ›

Most adults who want straighter teeth can be treated with aligners, but not all, and we'll tell you honestly if you're one of the exceptions. Active gum disease or decay has to be sorted out first. Very severe crowding, large differences between the jaws and some bite problems are better handled another way, and we'll explain those alternatives and refer you where needed. Your consultation includes a scan, so the answer is based on your teeth rather than a guess.More on Invisalign ›

No, refinements are part of the package price here. If a tooth or two hasn't quite reached its planned position near the end, we rescan and order extra aligners to finish the job at no further charge. The package also covers Vivera retainers and home whitening. When you're comparing quotes, ask whether refinements are included, because elsewhere they're a common extra.More on Invisalign ›

At Hamilton Smile Studios, 20–22 Brandon Street in Hamilton town centre, where Dr Nikhil Sharma plans and provides Invisalign from £2,500. Invisalign has rated the practice Diamond Apex in each year from 2022 to 2026; that tier reflects how many cases the practice treats (the top 1% of providers in Europe by volume), not a qualification. Every package includes refinements, Vivera retainers and whitening. Start with a free consultation and iTero Lumina scan, which you can book online; patients come to us from right across Lanarkshire, including East Kilbride, Motherwell and Wishaw.More on Invisalign ›

For most adult crowding and spacing, Invisalign does the same job as fixed braces, using clear removable aligners that are hard to spot and easy to clean. You take them out to eat, so there's no list of foods to avoid, and there are no wires or brackets to catch your cheeks. The trade-off is discipline: they only work if they're in for 20 to 22 hours a day. Fixed braces can still be the better tool for severe bite or jaw problems, and your assessment will tell you which applies to you.

A peroxide gel passes into the enamel and breaks down the stain molecules that make teeth look darker, so the colour lightens from inside the tooth. With Boutique home whitening, we scan your teeth, make thin trays that fit only you and prescribe the gel, which you wear at home each day for two to three weeks. We check your shade and comfort along the way. Crowns, veneers and white fillings won't change colour, so we plan around any you already have.More on Whitening ›

Hamilton Smile Studios in the town centre provides dentist-led home whitening for £350, or £315 if you're on one of our dental plans. It's the Boutique system: trays made from a scan of your teeth, professional-strength gel and check-ins with your dentist. Whitening also comes included with every Invisalign and composite bonding package. In the UK only a registered dental professional can legally whiten teeth, so be wary of salon or online offers; see our whitening page for more.More on Whitening ›

Usually a year or more, though tea, coffee, red wine and smoking will shorten that. Because the trays are made for you, you keep them and can top up for a night or two with fresh gel whenever the shade starts to slip. Airflow polishing at a hygiene visit also clears new surface stain. For the first couple of days after each session, go easy on strongly coloured food and drink, as teeth pick up stain more readily then.More on Whitening ›

Yes, in strength and in safety: shop products are capped by law at 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, which mostly shifts surface stain, while a dentist can prescribe gel up to the UK limit of 6%. Our gel sits in trays made from a scan of your teeth, so it stays on the teeth and off your gums. Before you start, a dentist checks for decay, gum problems and old fillings that won't lighten. Shop strips can freshen teeth a little; they just won't move the shade very far.More on Whitening ›

At Hamilton Smile Studios, Invisalign runs from £2,500 for Express (small corrections) to £5,000 for Comprehensive Plus (the most complex cases), with scans, X-rays, refinements, Vivera retainers, home whitening and a hygiene visit built into each one. ² In between sit Lite at £3,500, Moderate at £4,000 and Comprehensive at £4,500. Around Lanarkshire, published prices run from under £2,000 for single-arch or very short courses to over £5,000 for complex treatment, and the cheapest often leave out retainers or refinements, so compare like with like.More on Invisalign ›

Everything from the first scan to your retainers: iTero Lumina scans and X-rays, every aligner in your package, any refinements needed to finish, a set of Vivera retainers (£530 if bought separately), Boutique home whitening (£350) and a hygiene visit (£70). Priced on their own, the retainers, whitening and hygiene visit add up to £950. The fee in your written plan is fixed before treatment begins and doesn't move.More on Invisalign ›

Low headline prices are usually for one arch only, a short course of seven to fourteen aligners, or a fee that leaves out the scan, refinements, retainers and whitening. When comparing, find out exactly what you're paying for, who pays if extra aligners are needed, and whether the price is fixed on paper. Our packages include all of those items. The figure in your written plan is what you pay at the end.More on Dentist near East Kilbride ›

Very often, yes. Book a free consultation and bring anything you kept, such as recent aligners, retainers and any plan or emails they sent you. We'll scan your teeth with the iTero Lumina, check your bite and gums, then tell you straight whether it's worth finishing the movement with Invisalign, holding things where they are with new retainers, or leaving well alone. We can't carry on with trays made for another company's plan, but a new Invisalign plan can pick up from where your teeth are now, and it may be short if most of the movement is done. The £40 deposit comes back to you once you've attended, and you're under no obligation.More on Invisalign ›

Ring us the same day so we can tell you which set to wear in the meantime. Usually that means dropping back to your previous aligners or moving on to the next ones a few days early, and we'll order a replacement if the gap is too big. Hold on to every old set until we say otherwise, as they're your backup. Don't simply go without, because teeth can start to shift within days.More on Aftercare Advice ›

Mild and moderate ones, yes, and many crossbites too: aligners, often with small tooth-coloured attachments and elastics, can move the teeth so the top and bottom meet better. If the problem comes from the jaws themselves rather than the teeth, aligners alone won't fix it, and braces or jaw surgery alongside orthodontics may be needed. Your scan and 3D plan show what's achievable. We'll tell you at the consultation if your bite is beyond what aligners do well.More on Invisalign ›

No, all our straightening is done with Invisalign, which handles most adult cases and is the treatment our Diamond Apex status relates to (a measure of how many cases we treat, not a qualification). If fixed braces would give you a better result, for example where a severe bite problem comes from the jaws, we'll say so at your consultation. In that situation we refer you to an orthodontist rather than pushing aligners past what they do well. For children who may need braces, we can explain the options and arrange the referral.More on Invisalign ›

Yes, consultations are free for dental implants and full-arch treatment, Invisalign, composite bonding, veneers and smile makeovers. To hold the time we take a £40 deposit when you book, and it's returned to you within 7 days of the 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 different appointment: the new patient examination, with X-rays, is £70.More on Dentist near Bothwell ›

No: before anything begins you get a written treatment plan with a fixed fee, and that's what you pay. If something unexpected turns up partway through, such as a tooth needing more work than an X-ray could show, we stop and discuss it with you first. Nothing that would change the cost happens without your agreement.More on Dentist near Bothwell ›

Plan A at £24.10 a month covers two examinations, two small X-rays and two Airflow hygiene visits a year, worth £360 (you save £70.80); Plan B at £40.16 a month has the same examinations and X-rays with four hygiene visits, worth £560 (you save £78.08). On either plan you also get free emergency appointments, priority booking, access to out-of-hours care and worldwide dental emergency cover. Members have 10% off private treatment, apart from extensive cosmetic work, implants and orthodontics. The dental plans page has the full breakdown.More on Dental Plans ›

Yes: speak to our reception team and they'll explain how to change or end your plan, and any notice needed. Payments are taken by monthly Direct Debit, so it's worth letting us know before your next collection date. If your needs change, for example after gum treatment or implants, we can talk through whether the other plan would suit you better.More on Dental Plans ›

Yes. Children are registered and treated on the NHS straight away, and we are registering new NHS adults now. The quickest way to register is to request a call back and choose an NHS place. In Scotland, NHS dental care is free for everyone under 26, and NHS treatment here comes under NHS Lanarkshire. Our NHS dentistry page explains what's covered.More on NHS Dentistry ›

Yes: Hamilton Smile Studios has two monthly plans, Plan A at £24.10 and Plan B at £40.16, which spread the cost of dental examinations, X-rays and hygiene visits. Some people know these as dental care packages or dental membership. Beyond routine care, members get priority appointments, free emergency appointments and 10% off most private treatment. You can sign up online from our dental plans page.More on Dental Plans ›

We start by talking about what's brought you in, any worries you have and what you'd like from your teeth. Then your dentist checks your teeth, gums, bite and the soft tissues of your mouth, taking X-rays if they're needed. You leave with your options set out in writing, each with its fee, and there's no pressure to decide on the spot. The new patient examination, including X-rays, is £70.More on New Patients ›

Yes, you can book a free consultation purely to chat, with no treatment and no pressure to have any. If even that feels like a lot, send us a WhatsApp message first and tell us what worries you, so the team knows before you arrive. When you're ready for treatment we can go at your pace, agree a signal for stopping, and discuss IV sedation for longer procedures. Our nervous patients page explains the options.More on Nervous Patients ›

Very likely: phone us on 01698 767220 soon after we open, and we'll try to fit you in that day. Emergency appointments are open to anyone in pain, not only our own patients, and cost £70 (free on a dental plan); the first stage of treatment can often be done there and then. Our hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm, and until 7.30pm on Thursdays. Closed at weekends. When we're closed, call NHS 24 on 111.More on Emergencies ›

Act quickly: pick the tooth up by its white crown, never the root, and if it's dirty give it a second or two in milk. Slide it back into the socket if you can and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it, or keep it in a cup of milk. Then call us on 01698 767220 straight away, even while you're travelling, because the cells on the root die the longer it's out and the tooth has its best chance if it's back in place within an hour. Out of hours, phone NHS 24 on 111, or go to A&E if the face is injured too. A baby tooth should never be pushed back in, because that can damage the adult tooth growing underneath; just bring your child in to be checked.More on Broken Tooth ›

Book a dental examination at Hamilton Smile Studios, 20–22 Brandon Street, Hamilton ML3 6AB, in the town centre. Your first visit is a new patient examination with X-rays at £70, with Dr Karanveer Singh or Dr Lee Min Ning; routine dental examinations after that are £70, and both are covered if you join one of our dental plans. Children are registered and treated on the NHS straight away, and we are registering new NHS adults now. You can book online or call 01698 767220.More on General Dentistry ›

Hamilton Smile Studios, in the town centre, gives free consultations for dental implants (including full-arch), Invisalign, composite bonding and smile makeovers. Book online, send a WhatsApp or phone 01698 767220. A £40 deposit holds the appointment and is returned 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. Facial aesthetics consultations are free too, with a £50 deposit.

Yes: Hamilton Smile Studios sees people in pain who are registered with us, with another practice or with no dentist at all. Emergency appointments run Monday to Friday and cost £70, or nothing if you're on one of our dental plans. New patients can book online without registering first, or phone 01698 767220 early in the day. In the evenings and at weekends, NHS 24 on 111 is the route to urgent dental care.More on Emergencies ›

An emergency appointment at Hamilton Smile Studios is £70, the same for our patients and for people who aren't registered with us, and it's free for dental plan members. That appointment is about finding the cause and getting you comfortable. Treatment on the day, such as a temporary filling (£70) or emergency nerve removal (£110), is priced and agreed with you before it starts.More on Emergencies ›

Usually not, because most toothache comes from decay, a cracked tooth or an inflamed nerve, and antibiotics don't touch any of those. They help only when infection is spreading, with facial swelling or a temperature, and even then they're a stopgap. The pain stops for good once the tooth itself is treated, with a filling, root canal treatment or, if it's beyond saving, an extraction. Ordinary painkillers, taken as the pack directs, are the right short-term help while you wait to be seen.More on Emergencies ›

Yes: the practice is at 20–22 Brandon Street, Hamilton ML3 6AB, in Hamilton town centre, South Lanarkshire. Being central makes it easier to fit an appointment around work, school runs or shopping. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm, and until 7.30pm on Thursdays. Closed at weekends. Our getting here page shows where to find us.More on Dentist in Hamilton ›

Not far: Bothwell and Blantyre are neighbours of Hamilton, and we have patients from both, as well as from Uddingston, East Kilbride, Motherwell and beyond. The practice is in Hamilton town centre at 20–22 Brandon Street, ML3 6AB. Our getting here page will help you plan the trip, or ask us when you book. The late opening on Thursdays can help if you're coming over after work.

Ask us when you book and we'll suggest the most convenient place to park for your appointment time. The easiest option can depend on the day and time of your visit, so a quick word with reception is the simplest way to plan it. If you have mobility needs, tell us at the same time and we'll help you plan your arrival. For directions to the practice, see our getting here page.

Yes, it costs nothing and commits you to nothing. Send two or three photos of your smile on WhatsApp with a short note on what you'd like to change, and one of our dentists will reply with a suggested treatment and a likely price range from our published fees. If you want to go further, the next step is a free consultation, held with a £40 deposit that's refunded once you attend. See the online smile assessment page for photo tips.More on Online Smile Assessment ›

Only the clinical team at Hamilton Smile Studios. We use your photos to give you an opinion, and if you go on to become a patient they're kept securely with your dental records. They're never used for marketing or social media unless you've given written consent. Our privacy notice sets out how we handle personal information.More on Online Smile Assessment ›

Normally on the day you send it, if it reaches us during opening hours. Anything sent after we close is picked up the next time we're open; our hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm, and until 7.30pm on Thursdays. Closed at weekends. If you're in pain or it's a dental emergency, phone 01698 767220 rather than messaging, so we can find you an appointment.More on Online Smile Assessment ›

We can give you a realistic range from photos, but not a fixed fee. A dentist can usually see which treatment would suit and point you to the matching price, for example composite bonding on four teeth at £1,550. The exact cost is confirmed in writing after an examination, plus a scan for implants and Invisalign, because photos can't show decay, gum health or bone.More on Online Smile Assessment ›

Yes: email them to info@hamiltonsmilestudios.co.uk, or ask us to phone you at a time that suits. You can also skip the photos altogether, book a free consultation online and bring your questions with you. Either way, a dentist rather than a sales team looks at what you send.More on Online Smile Assessment ›

Often, yes: a small chip can usually be rebuilt in tooth-coloured bonding at the same visit, and a bigger break may get a filling or a build-up. Where a tooth needs a crown, we protect it with a temporary one while the permanent crown is made. The emergency appointment is £70, and the cost of the lasting repair is given to you in writing before we go ahead.More on Broken Tooth ›

In most cases yes, and sooner is better. Once enamel chips, the softer dentine underneath wears and decays more quickly, and any crack tends to run further each time you bite. Sorting a chip with bonding or a small filling is quicker and much cheaper than a crown or root canal treatment later on. A quick look, with an X-ray if needed, will tell you whether it can safely wait.More on Broken Tooth ›

Because the break has uncovered dentine, the layer under the enamel that passes temperature straight through to the nerve. Covering it with bonding or a filling usually stops the sensitivity. If the pain from cold hangs around for more than a few seconds, comes on by itself, throbs or keeps you awake, the nerve may be inflamed and root canal treatment could be needed. Get it looked at rather than waiting to see what happens.More on Broken Tooth ›

Sometimes: if enough healthy root remains above the bone, the tooth can be rebuilt with a post, a build-up and a crown. An X-ray tells us, and some teeth broken this low can't be restored, particularly if the crack runs down the root. If yours can't be saved, we take it out gently and go through the ways to fill the gap: an implant, a bridge or a denture.More on Broken Tooth ›

No: they can calm a spreading infection, and we sometimes prescribe them alongside treatment, but they can't get inside a tooth whose nerve has died, so the abscess comes back once the course ends. Clearing it for good means dealing with the source, either root canal treatment to clean out the tooth or taking the tooth out. If you have facial swelling and a temperature, get seen the same day.More on Dental Abscess ›

No: the pain may fade, for instance if the abscess bursts and drains or the nerve finally dies, but the infection stays in the bone around the root and flares again, often worse. A bad taste, or a small spot on the gum that comes and goes, is a sign it's still there. Sudden relief from toothache isn't a cure, so book a check.More on Dental Abscess ›

Most abscesses are painful rather than dangerous, but one becomes an emergency if the infection spreads to the floor of the mouth, the neck or around the eye. Go to A&E or call 999, rather than waiting for a dental appointment, if swelling is affecting your breathing or swallowing, you have a high temperature and feel unwell, or the swelling is visibly growing. For anything less severe, call us the same day, or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours.More on Dental Abscess ›

Often, yes: root canal treatment removes the infected nerve, cleans the inside of the tooth and seals it, and the tooth can then last for many years with a crown or filling. Some teeth are better taken out, such as those cracked right through, broken below the gum or with too little bone left around them. An X-ray at your emergency visit usually shows which group yours falls into.More on Dental Abscess ›

Let us know as soon as you can: a late cancellation still gets your consultation deposit back. 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. Running behind? Phone us and we'll tell you whether there's still time to see you. Reminders go out by text, so check we have your current mobile number.More on How We Work ›

No: a second opinion is booked as a free consultation, with a £40 deposit that's refunded within 7 days of attending. If a proper answer needs a CT scan, for example to check the bone for an implant, it's £160, and we'll tell you before taking one. Bring any X-rays, scans or treatment plans you already have. You're under no obligation to have treatment with us.More on Second Opinion ›

No, you don't need to tell anyone, and we'd only get in touch with your dentist if you wanted us to. Getting another view before a big decision is entirely normal. If you choose to go ahead with treatment here, we can send your dentist a copy of the plan so your records stay complete.More on Second Opinion ›

Yes: under data protection law you have a right to copies of your own records, including X-rays and scans. Ask your practice to email them to you or straight to us. Recent X-rays can save you having them taken again, though we may still need new ones if they're old or don't show the area in question. If you can't get hold of them, we'll simply take what's needed.More on Dentist near Strathaven ›

Hamilton Smile Studios, at 20–22 Brandon Street in Hamilton town centre, has NHS places for children and adults right now, without a waiting list. In Scotland their NHS care costs nothing, and children can have fluoride varnish through the national Childsmile programme, with brushing and diet tips for parents. Our associate dentists, Dr Karanveer Singh and Dr Lee Min Ning, see children of all ages. To register, request a call back and choose an NHS place, or send us a WhatsApp.More on Children's Dentistry ›

Once the first teeth come through, and by their first birthday at the latest. That first visit is short and gentle: a quick look in their mouth, often while they sit on your lap, and advice for you on brushing, teething and sugary drinks. Starting early means the dentist becomes a familiar place rather than somewhere they only go when something hurts. It also lets us catch early decay, or problems with how teeth are coming in, while they're easy to deal with.More on Children's Dentistry ›

No, not on the NHS: in Scotland, dental examinations and NHS treatment, including fluoride varnish, fissure sealants and fillings, are free for children and for everyone under 26. Children are seen on the NHS here with no waiting list. If you'd rather have a private appointment, a child examination is £38.More on Children's Dentistry ›

Request a call back on our website and choose an NHS place, or send us a WhatsApp, and we'll arrange their first NHS dental examination. There's no waiting list, so it can usually be booked within days, and you can register yourself at the same time.More on NHS Dentistry ›

We take it slowly, keep early visits short, and explain each step in words your child understands, showing them the mirror and the chair before anyone looks in. Nobody is rushed into treatment. It helps to talk about the visit calmly at home and steer clear of words like "hurt" or "needle". Some children settle faster after coming along to watch a parent's dental examination first.More on Children's Dentistry ›

At Hamilton Smile Studios, Dr Nikhil Sharma provides anti-wrinkle injections, jaw slimming and dermal fillers for the lips, cheeks, chin, jawline, tear troughs, temples and smile lines, as well as non-surgical nose reshaping. Skin treatments such as polynucleotides, chemical peels and under-eye treatment are on the price list too. Everything starts with a free face-to-face consultation, and treatment is for over 18s only. Fees for each treatment are on our facial aesthetics page.More on Facial Aesthetics ›

Book online or phone 01698 767220 for a free face-to-face consultation with Dr Nikhil Sharma at Hamilton Smile Studios. A £50 deposit secures your slot, and it's refunded within 7 days once you've attended. 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. At the consultation he goes through your medical history, assesses your face and explains the options, likely results, risks and fees, with no obligation to go ahead that day.More on Facial Aesthetics ›

Most people get three to four months before the muscles gradually regain their movement and lines reappear. The effect isn't instant: it builds over around two weeks, and that's when we like to review you. Everyone's response is a little different, so we'll learn your timing over the first couple of treatments. At Hamilton Smile Studios, anti-wrinkle injections are given by Dr Nikhil Sharma, from £200 for two areas.More on Facial Aesthetics ›

Yes: hyaluronic acid fillers, the type most widely used, can be broken down with an enzyme injection called hyaluronidase, whether you'd simply like it gone or it's needed for safety. It usually works within a day or two, though a second session is sometimes needed. Lip dissolve is £150. It's also a good reason to start conservatively, because adding a little more later is far easier than taking it away.More on Facial Aesthetics ›

Most people don't, and go straight back to work or carry on with their day. Anti-wrinkle injections can leave small bumps that settle within an hour or so. Fillers may cause some redness, swelling or bruising for a few days, with lip swelling usually most noticeable on the first day, so book at least two weeks before a wedding, holiday or other big event. For 24 hours afterwards, skip hard exercise, saunas and alcohol.More on Facial Aesthetics ›