A Complete Guide to Dental Care at a Private London Practice

A Complete Guide to Dental Care at a Private London Practice

Private dental care in London covers the full range of treatments – from routine check-ups and hygiene appointments to orthodontics, cosmetic procedures, and restorative work – delivered outside NHS restrictions, with longer appointment times, same-week access, and a broader choice of materials and techniques. At Islington Smiles, a private Dentist London in Islington, patients receive care without the waitlists or material limitations that often affect NHS provision.

Key takeaways

• A private dental check-up in London typically costs between £60 and £120; a hygiene appointment costs £80–£150.
• Invisalign clear aligner treatment starts at approximately £2,500 and can run to £5,500 for complex cases, with treatment lasting 6–18 months.
• Composite Bonding is a single-appointment cosmetic fix costing £150–£400 per tooth, with results lasting 5–7 years with proper care.
• Professional Teeth Whitening at a regulated dental practice typically achieves 4–8 shades of lightening; at-home kits sold without dental supervision cannot legally contain the same active concentrations in the UK.
• A Root Canal on a single-rooted tooth costs £400–£700 privately; a molar root canal ranges from £700 to £1,200.
• At Islington Smiles, over 80% of new patients report that their first appointment includes a same-day treatment plan with itemised costs before any work begins.

What is private dental care and how does it differ from NHS dentistry?

Private dental care is funded entirely by the patient rather than the state. You pay per appointment or through a monthly membership plan, and the practice is not bound by NHS band charges, approved material lists, or referral quotas.

NHS dentistry in England uses three fixed charge bands (£26.80, £73.50, and £319.10 as of 2026). These cover a defined set of treatments within each band, often using standard materials. Private practices charge per procedure at market rates, which allows them to offer materials such as tooth-coloured composite for all restorations, premium ceramic crowns, and digital scanning rather than traditional impressions.

Appointment length is a practical difference that patients notice immediately. An NHS check-up is typically 15–20 minutes. A private check-up runs 30–60 minutes, allowing time for photographs, X-rays, periodontal charting, and a full discussion of treatment options.

What treatments are available at a private London dental practice?

A private London practice offers three broad categories: preventive and general care, restorative treatments, and cosmetic or orthodontic work.

Preventive and general care includes check-ups, hygiene, fluoride application, and fissure sealants. These appointments form the foundation of long-term oral health and are recommended every 6–12 months depending on individual risk.

Restorative treatments address damage or disease. Tooth-coloured fillings, crowns, bridges, dental implants, and root canal treatment all fall into this category. A root canal removes infected or dead pulp from inside a tooth, seals the canal, and preserves the natural tooth. At Islington Smiles, root canal treatment is completed under magnification to improve accuracy and reduce the number of appointments required.

Cosmetic and orthodontic treatments change the appearance of teeth without necessarily addressing underlying disease. This includes Invisalign clear aligners, porcelain or composite veneers, composite bonding, and teeth whitening. These treatments are elective but can have a measurable impact on confidence and, in the case of orthodontics, on bite function and long-term wear.

How much does private dental treatment cost in London in 2026?

Private dental fees in London vary by practice, location, and complexity. The table below reflects current typical ranges for common treatments.

Many private practices, including Islington Smiles, offer monthly membership plans that reduce the per-appointment cost of check-ups and hygiene by 10–20% and include emergency cover.

What happens at your first private dental appointment?

A first appointment at a private practice follows a structured sequence. Understanding it removes uncertainty and helps patients engage with their own care.

Step 1: Medical history review. The dentist reviews your full medical and dental history, current medications, and any allergies. Certain medications directly affect what treatments are safe or how healing will proceed.

Step 2: Full clinical examination. This includes a soft tissue check for signs of oral cancer, a periodontal chart measuring gum pocket depths at six points per tooth, and a tooth-by-tooth assessment of existing restorations, cracks, and decay.

Step 3: Diagnostic imaging. Bitewing X-rays are taken to detect decay between teeth and under existing fillings. A full panoramic X-ray may be requested for new patients to assess bone levels, impacted teeth, and jaw anatomy.

Step 4: Photographs. Clinical photographs document the current state of the dentition. They serve as a baseline for monitoring change and are essential for planning cosmetic work.

Step 5: Treatment planning discussion. The dentist presents findings, explains options with costs, and prioritises by clinical urgency. No treatment should begin without your informed written consent.

Step 6: Booking. Urgent treatment is scheduled first. Elective cosmetic work follows once the mouth is clinically stable.

How does Invisalign work and who is it suitable for?

Invisalign is a clear aligner system that moves teeth through a series of custom-made, removable plastic trays. Each tray is worn for 1–2 weeks and applies gentle, precise pressure to shift teeth incrementally towards a planned final position.

Treatment begins with a 3D digital scan of the teeth – no physical impression material is required. The scan generates a virtual model, and specialist software calculates a movement sequence. The patient and dentist review a before-and-after simulation before committing to treatment.

Invisalign suits a wide range of cases: crowding, spacing, mild-to-moderate overbite, underbite, and crossbite. Severe skeletal discrepancies or certain impacted teeth may require fixed braces or surgical intervention instead. A thorough clinical assessment determines suitability.

The aligners must be worn for 20–22 hours per day. They’re removed only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and tooth brushing. At Islington Smiles, patients on Invisalign are seen for progress checks every 6–8 weeks throughout treatment.

What are veneers and composite bonding, and which is right for you?

Veneers and composite bonding both change the shape, colour, and proportion of teeth but differ in material, reversibility, cost, and longevity.

Porcelain Veneers are thin ceramic shells bonded to the front surface of a tooth. The dentist removes a thin layer of enamel (typically 0.3–0.7 mm) to ensure the veneer sits flush. Porcelain veneers last 10–20 years, resist staining well, and produce a highly natural appearance. Because enamel is removed, the process is irreversible.

Composite Bonding uses tooth-coloured resin applied directly to the tooth surface and sculpted by hand. No enamel removal is required in most cases, making it reversible. Results last 5–7 years before the resin may chip, stain, or need refreshing. Composite bonding costs significantly less per tooth and is completed in a single appointment.

Importantly, for patients who want a trial of a new smile shape before committing to porcelain, composite bonding is often a logical first step.

How does professional teeth whitening work and is it safe?

Professional teeth whitening uses hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gel, applied either in-surgery under controlled conditions or via custom-made trays worn at home. In the UK, only registered dental professionals can legally supply whitening gels containing more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide for patient use, with an in-surgery maximum of 6% hydrogen peroxide per treatment session.

In-surgery whitening achieves visible results in a single 60–90 minute appointment. Home whitening with custom trays produces comparable results and is often preferred because the patient controls pace and sensitivity.

Whitening does not change the colour of crowns, veneers, or composite restorations. Patients with these restorations should discuss sequencing with their dentist – whitening teeth before placing new restorations ensures a colour match. Results typically last 1–2 years before a maintenance top-up is needed.

Sensitivity during treatment is common and usually resolves within 48 hours. Patients with exposed dentine, active decay, or gum recession require assessment before whitening begins.

What is a root canal and when is it necessary?

A root canal is a restorative procedure that removes infected, inflamed, or dead tissue from the inner chamber of a tooth, cleans and shapes the canals, and seals them to prevent re-infection. It preserves a tooth that would otherwise require extraction.

Root canal treatment becomes necessary when bacteria reach the pulp – usually through deep decay, a cracked tooth, or a failed filling. Symptoms include persistent toothache, sensitivity to heat that lingers, swelling or a pimple on the gum, and spontaneous pain. Some cases are asymptomatic and identified only on X-ray.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and is not more painful than a filling. A single-rooted tooth typically requires one appointment of 60–90 minutes. A molar with three or four canals may require two appointments. After root canal treatment, a crown is usually placed to protect the tooth from fracture.

What should you do in a dental emergency?

A dental emergency includes severe toothache, a dental abscess, a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth with sharp edges, or a lost crown or filling causing pain. Time matters in all of these scenarios.

Knocked-out adult tooth – Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Rinse gently without scrubbing. Replace it in the socket if possible, or keep it in milk or between the cheek and gum. Seek dental attention within 30 minutes – the chances of successful reimplantation drop sharply after one hour.

Dental abscess – This is an infection that can spread. Don’t wait for a routine appointment. Contact a private practice directly for a same-day assessment. Antibiotics alone do not resolve an abscess; the source of infection must be treated.

Lost crown or broken tooth – Keep the crown if it’s intact. A dentist can often re-cement it at a short emergency appointment. Avoid eating on that side and avoid very hot or cold food.

Islington Smiles prioritises emergency appointments for patients in acute pain, typically offering same-day or next-day slots during working hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I see a private dentist in London?

Most adults in good oral health should attend a check-up every 6–12 months and a hygiene appointment at the same frequency. Patients with a history of gum disease, high decay risk, or active orthodontic treatment may be seen every 3–4 months. Your dentist will recommend a recall interval based on your individual risk assessment.

Is private dentistry worth the cost compared to NHS treatment?

Private dentistry offers longer appointments, a wider choice of materials, and no waiting lists. For routine care, the difference may be modest. For cosmetic treatments, orthodontics, and implants – which NHS provision rarely covers – private care is the only realistic route. The value depends on the complexity of what you need and how much weight you place on appointment quality and access speed.

Can I switch from NHS to private dentistry mid-treatment?

Yes. You can move to a private practice at any point. If you’re mid-course on an NHS treatment plan, any further treatment will be charged privately. There is no penalty or waiting period. Contact your chosen private practice to arrange a transfer of records.

How long does Invisalign treatment take?

Invisalign treatment typically takes 6–18 months, depending on the complexity of tooth movement required. Minor corrections can complete in as little as 3–6 months with Invisalign Lite. A full case involving significant alignment changes takes 12–18 months. Treatment length is estimated at the planning stage from the 3D scan.

Does composite bonding damage your teeth?

In the vast majority of cases, composite bonding does not damage teeth because no enamel is removed. The resin is applied directly onto the existing tooth surface and bonded with a curing light. The procedure is reversible. The main risks are chipping or staining of the resin over time, not damage to the underlying tooth.

What is the difference between a scale and polish and a deep clean?

A scale and polish removes plaque and tartar from the surfaces of teeth above and just below the gum line. A deep clean removes bacterial deposits from the root surfaces below the gum line in patients with periodontal disease. A deep clean requires local anaesthetic and is a clinical treatment for gum disease, not a cosmetic procedure.

Are teeth whitening results permanent?

No. Professional whitening results last 1–2 years on average before the teeth begin to return towards their natural shade. Factors that accelerate fading include regular consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco. Maintenance top-ups using custom trays and a small amount of whitening gel can extend results at a low ongoing cost.

How do I know if I need a crown or just a filling?

A filling is suitable when the cavity or damage affects less than roughly half the tooth structure and the remaining walls are sound. A crown is indicated when the tooth is heavily broken down, has had a root canal, or when a large old filling has fractured the surrounding tooth. Your dentist will assess this on examination, often supported by an X-ray, and explain the clinical reasoning before recommending a course of action.