Common dental treatments range from routine scale and polish appointments through to multi-stage restorative procedures such as dental implants and root canal therapy. Each treatment targets a specific clinical problem, uses distinct materials or techniques, and carries its own cost, recovery time, and suitability criteria. At Battersea Smiles, the treatments outlined below represent the most frequently requested procedures at our Battersea, London practice.
A dental check-up is a clinical examination of the teeth, gums, soft tissues, and jaw, usually completed in 30 to 45 minutes. The dentist assesses for decay, gum disease, signs of oral cancer, bite irregularities, and existing restorations.
X-rays are taken periodically, typically every 12 to 24 months, to detect problems not visible to the naked eye, such as decay between teeth or bone loss around roots. A hygienist appointment for scale and polish is often carried out alongside the check-up, removing hardened calculus that brushing cannot dislodge.
In London, private check-up fees range from £50 to £100. NHS Band 1 treatment, which includes a check-up and preventive care, costs £26.80 in 2026. Attending check-ups every 6 to 12 months, as recommended by most clinicians, reduces the likelihood of requiring more invasive treatment later.
A scale and polish is a professional cleaning procedure that removes plaque biofilm and calcified tartar from tooth surfaces and beneath the gumline. It is distinct from brushing because it targets deposits that have mineralised onto the enamel and root surfaces over time.
The hygienist uses ultrasonic scalers to break up larger deposits with vibration and water, followed by hand instruments to remove remaining debris. Polishing paste is then applied with a rotating cup to smooth the enamel surface and remove superficial staining.
The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes and costs between £60 and £120 at most London private practices. Patients with a history of gum disease, known as periodontal disease, are often recommended to attend every 3 to 4 months rather than the standard 6-month interval.
A tooth filling restores a tooth damaged by decay or minor fracture by removing the affected tissue and replacing it with a restorative material. The most common materials used in modern dentistry are tooth-coloured composite resin and, less frequently now, silver amalgam.
The dentist administers a local anaesthetic, removes the decayed tissue using a drill, cleans the cavity, and then places the filling material in layers. For composite fillings, each layer is cured, or hardened, using a blue-spectrum ultraviolet light for 10 to 20 seconds.
A single composite filling costs between £80 and £250 at a private London practice, depending on the size and location of the cavity. The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes per tooth. Composite fillings typically last 7 to 10 years before replacement is needed.
Composite bonding is a cosmetic and restorative procedure in which tooth-coloured composite resin is applied directly to the tooth surface to alter its shape, size, colour, or to repair chips and cracks. It requires no laboratory stage and is completed chairside in a single appointment.
The dentist lightly etches the tooth surface with a mild acid to create a micro-textured bond, applies a dental adhesive, then sculpts the composite resin by hand before curing it with a light. Once hardened, the composite is polished to match the gloss and texture of the surrounding enamel.
At Battersea Smiles, composite bonding is one of the most frequently requested cosmetic treatments. The procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours for a full set of 6 to 8 front teeth and costs between £150 and £400 per tooth at London practices. Results last 5 to 7 years with proper care, though edge chips can often be repaired quickly.
Dental veneers are thin shells, made from either porcelain or composite resin, that are bonded to the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. They are used to address discolouration, chips, minor misalignment, or size discrepancies that cannot be resolved by whitening or bonding alone.
Porcelain veneers require two appointments. In the first, the dentist removes approximately 0.3 to 0.5 millimetres of enamel from the front surface, takes an impression or digital scan, and fits temporary veneers. The final porcelain shells are fabricated by a dental laboratory over 1 to 2 weeks, then bonded permanently at the second appointment.
Composite veneers can be placed directly in a single session, as with bonding. Porcelain veneers cost between £700 and £1,200 per tooth in London and last 10 to 15 years. Composite veneers cost £150 to £400 per tooth and last 5 to 7 years.
| Option | Best for | Cost per tooth | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain veneers | Severe discolouration, lasting change | £700 to £1,200 | Irreversible enamel removal, 2 appointments |
| Composite veneers | Mild chips, budget-conscious patients | £150 to £400 | Less durable, more prone to staining |
| Composite bonding | Repairs, minor reshaping | £150 to £400 | Cannot correct severe discolouration |
Teeth whitening is a procedure that uses a peroxide-based bleaching agent to oxidise chromogenic compounds inside the enamel and dentine, lightening the overall tooth colour. It does not alter the structure of the tooth and has no effect on existing restorations such as crowns, veneers, or composite fillings.
Professional whitening is available as an in-chair treatment, taking approximately 60 to 90 minutes, or as a dentist-supplied home kit using custom-made trays worn for 1 to 2 hours per day over 2 to 4 weeks. Home kits use a lower concentration gel, typically 6% hydrogen peroxide, compared to the higher concentrations used in-chair.
In-chair whitening in London costs between £300 and £700. Home kits supplied by a dentist cost between £200 and £400. Results typically lighten teeth by 2 to 8 shades. Sensitivity during treatment is common but resolves within 48 to 72 hours in most cases.
Invisalign is a clear aligner orthodontic system that gradually moves teeth into a prescribed position using a series of custom-fabricated, removable plastic trays. It is an alternative to fixed metal braces and is suited to mild to moderate cases of crowding, spacing, and bite irregularities.
Treatment begins with a digital scan of the teeth, which is used to create a 3D treatment simulation showing the planned tooth movements. A set of aligners is then manufactured, each one moving the teeth by approximately 0.25 millimetres. Patients wear each aligner for 1 to 2 weeks before advancing to the next tray.
Aligners must be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day to be effective. They are removed for eating, drinking anything other than water, and tooth brushing. Treatment duration ranges from 6 to 18 months depending on case complexity. Costs in London range from £2,500 for minor cases to £5,500 for complex full-arch treatment.
A dental crown is a cap that fits over the entire visible portion of a damaged or weakened tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and function. Crowns are used after root canal treatment, to protect heavily filled or cracked teeth, or to anchor a dental bridge.
The procedure takes two appointments. At the first, the dentist reshapes the tooth by removing a uniform layer of enamel around all surfaces, takes an impression, and fits a temporary crown. The permanent crown, made from porcelain, zirconia, or porcelain-fused-to-metal, is cemented at the second appointment 1 to 2 weeks later.
Crowns in London cost between £500 and £1,500 per tooth at private practices. Porcelain and zirconia crowns are the most aesthetic options. With proper care, a well-made crown lasts 10 to 15 years on average.
Root canal treatment, clinically referred to as endodontic therapy, removes infected or inflamed pulp tissue from inside a tooth’s root canals, then cleans, shapes, and seals the space to prevent reinfection. It is performed when decay or trauma has reached the nerve of the tooth.
How root canal treatment works, step by step:
Root canal treatment requires 2 to 3 appointments and costs between £500 and £1,000 per tooth at London private practices. The procedure has a clinical success rate of approximately 85 to 95% over 10 years when followed by a permanent restoration.
A dental implant is a titanium screw that is surgically placed into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root, onto which a crown, bridge, or denture is later attached. It is the closest clinical replacement to a natural tooth in terms of function and appearance.
Implant treatment has three main stages. First, the titanium post is inserted into the bone under local anaesthetic. Over the following 3 to 6 months, the implant undergoes osseointegration, meaning it fuses with the surrounding bone tissue. Once stable, an abutment is attached to the implant, and a custom crown is fitted on top.
Not all patients are suitable for implants. Adequate bone volume is required, and patients with uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease, or those who smoke heavily have a higher failure risk. At Battersea Smiles, patients requesting implants undergo a full clinical and radiographic assessment before any surgical planning begins. Costs in London range from £2,500 to £3,500 per implant, including the crown.
Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. Simple extractions are performed on teeth that are visible and accessible, while surgical extractions are required for impacted teeth, broken roots, or teeth that have not fully erupted, such as wisdom teeth.
For a simple extraction, the dentist applies local anaesthetic, loosens the tooth using an instrument called a periosteal elevator, then removes it with forceps using a controlled rocking motion. The socket is then pressed with gauze to encourage clot formation.
Simple extractions cost between £80 and £200 at London private practices. Surgical extractions, including impacted wisdom tooth removal, cost between £200 and £500. Recovery takes 3 to 7 days for most patients, during which the clot must be protected to avoid a painful condition called dry socket.
Most dentists recommend attending for a check-up every 6 to 12 months, though patients with active gum disease or a history of frequent decay may be recalled every 3 to 4 months. Your dentist will assess your individual risk level and set a recall interval accordingly. Waiting until a problem is painful typically means the treatment required will be more complex and costly.
The right choice depends on how much correction is needed. Composite bonding is suitable for minor chips, gaps, or reshaping and is reversible in many cases. Porcelain veneers provide a more durable and stain-resistant result but require irreversible enamel removal. A dentist will assess your teeth and recommend the option that achieves the clinical outcome with the least intervention.
Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic and should not be painful during the procedure itself. Some soreness and sensitivity in the surrounding gum and jaw is normal for 2 to 5 days afterwards and is managed with over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. The procedure is generally no more uncomfortable than having a routine filling placed.
With proper oral hygiene and regular dental attendance, a dental implant can last 20 years or longer, and in many cases functions for a lifetime. The crown attached to the implant typically needs replacing after 10 to 15 years due to normal wear. Smoking, poor oral hygiene, and uncontrolled systemic conditions such as diabetes are the primary causes of early implant failure.
Whitening agents do not change the colour of composite resin, porcelain, or ceramic restorations. If you whiten your natural teeth, any existing restorations may appear noticeably darker or mismatched by comparison. The usual approach is to whiten the natural teeth first, allow the shade to stabilise over 2 to 4 weeks, and then replace any visible restorations to match the new tooth colour.
A veneer covers only the front-facing surface of a tooth and requires removal of a minimal layer of enamel, typically 0.3 to 0.5 millimetres. A crown encases the entire tooth and requires removal of enamel from all surfaces, usually 1 to 2 millimetres. Crowns are used when a tooth is structurally compromised, while veneers are generally used for aesthetic corrections on otherwise sound teeth.
A filling is sufficient when decay is confined to the enamel and dentine and has not reached the pulp, the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels at the centre of the tooth. If decay or trauma has reached the pulp, causing persistent pain, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling, or discolouration of the tooth, root canal treatment is likely necessary. A dental X-ray is the most reliable way to determine the extent of the damage.
Invisalign is effective for mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and certain bite issues including overbite, underbite, and crossbite. Severe skeletal discrepancies, significant bite problems, or cases requiring large tooth movements may be better treated with fixed braces or combined orthodontic and surgical approaches. A consultation with a dentist or orthodontist, including a scan or X-ray, is required to determine suitability.
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