Invisalign braces / Orthodontist - Local (Richmond) vs Central London (Blackfriars)

PraCh

Hi guys,

I am wondering if someone can give me advise on invisalign braces or orthodontic braces for straightening teeth. I am a middle aged banking executive working in London Blackfriars. I come into work 2 days a week. I live in Richmond. I am looking to get invisalign braces to straighten my teeth. I have had a consultation with a dentist in London Blackfriars called Whites Dental, who say they specialise in Invisalign braces. The consult went really well with the dentist there and she provided me a competitive price for the Invisalign braces. I then had another consult with my local regular dentist in Richmond, who is more of a general dentist, who also sometimes does braces. The price was almost twice as much as compared to that from Whites Dental.

It seems most of the practices that are focused on a specific type of treatment (e.g. orthodontic braces) seem to be in central london. The prices seem competitive as well in London Blackfriars. However, I dont know anyone at Whites Dental and also dont know anyone who is a patient with them. I know my local dentist very well. Might someone be able to advise on whether I should use a new dentist I dont know, but seems to focus on Invisalign, who's also much cheaper, compared to my local regular dentist, whos much more expensive and also doesn't specialise in braces. Thoughts will be very welcome. Braces usually cost a few thousand pounds - so want to make an informed decision.

Also, if I had to research a dentist - any tips on how i can find out more about Whites Dental in London Blackfriars. Seems quite professional and experienced with Invisalign braces. 

Any thoughts on whether Invisalign braces are usually cheaper in Central London as compared to outer London? 

Appreciate any advise on this.

PraCh

The dentist i need advise on is Whites Dental - https://www.whitesdental.co.uk/

Toothsmith

If you search some of the other Invisalign threads on here, you'll see the general advice that whilst it's a perfectly good way of moving teeth around, it's by no means the best in every situation. There may well be other forms of orthodontics that will do the same job quicker, or even do a better job that ends up with a more stable result at the end of the treatment. Either way, because of its position as a 'premium brand'- Invisalign will very often be the dearest way of getting your teeth moved around.

Invisalign is often offered by general dentists who have done some sort of training with the system, but as an awful lot, if not all the treatment planning is done by the Invisalign software up on the mothership, the dentists often don't have a deep understanding of the principles behind the movements that are going on, or if there may be a better way of doing it. 

It's like the old saying "If the only tool in your box is a hammer, then every problem looks like a nail"

the recommendation I always give my patients wanting Invisalign is to go and see a proper specialist orthodontist. One who has studied proper orthodontics, done the exams, and is on the specialist GDC register as an Orthodontist. 

That way, if you really want Invisalign and Invisalign is a decent way to get the result you want, then Invisalign will be recommended. If a different way of doing it could get a better, quicker, or more stable result, then they could be explained to you as well so you could make an informed choice of the best way to go, be it Invisalign or an alternative.

Invisalign do give discounts to their providers depending of how many cases per month/year they manage to provide. This is probably why the place advertising themselves as doing loads of them are the cheapest. It doesn't necessarily mean they are the best - especially if they're just banging out Invisalign to everyone regardless of how suitable it is.

having said all that, the chap on the Whites website does say he has extra orthodontic qualifications, so whilst not on the 'specialist' register, he may not be a bad person to speak to to get an overview of other possible systems? There is a sub-specialist class of provider called unofficially a 'dentist with a special interest in.....' in this case orthodontics. These are often useful people to speak to as well. Maybe not if he has a target of Invisalign cases to hit each month though?

So my best advice would be to find a specialist orthodontist - maybe one your Richmond dentist recommends, and to have a consultation there to get a good idea of what needs to be done and how suitable Invisalign might be for you.

If it's a decent option, you could go back to Whites if you want.

It is often safest to not make price your main consideration. Having it done by someone you trust is far more important. 

PraCh

Thank you so very much - hugely helpful!!

MalMonroe

We're not supposed to give advice on health and medical issues on this forum, nor are we supposed to recommend anyone. 

As Toothsmith says, it's better if you do your own research rather than ask we strangers here. 

UmarBerry

From what you have mentioned, Whites Dental in London Blackfriars seems to be a specialist in Invisalign and offers a competitive price, which is a positive sign. However, you mentioned that you don't know anyone who has had treatment there, so it's understandable that you might be a bit wary.