Frequently Asked Questions

Our preferred method of payment is bank transfer, and we accept most debit and credit cards, though not American Express.

We are also pleased to be able to offer you a finance plan to help you spread the cost of your dental treatment into monthly payments that are manageable for you. Options include 0% interest free payments up to 12 months.

Sadly not, we are a private practice only.

There is on street regulated parking available in the area.

Generally speaking your treatment may be uncomfortable, but it should not be painful, and we will do our very best to make sure the whole experience is as pleasant as possible. If you are nervous, we do offer various forms of sedation and we are most happy to discuss your needs and options with you.

We are here to look after you, your teeth, gums and general oral health - all the team are very approachable and understanding. It's our job and we love doing it.

You can call 020 8348 9995, email info@pondsquaredental.co.uk, complete an enquiry form or book an appointment directly through our website.

A fee is usually charged if there is not enough notice given to cancel or rearrange an appointment or if an appointment is missed.

We follow all the regulations and advice and manufacturer requirements regarding cross infection, decontamination, hygiene and equipment maintenance. We take your safety and ours very seriously.

Yes. It is not healthy for your gums to be bleeding, however the problem will probably be something we can deal with. It is best to come in to see one of our caring and thoughtful hygienists or our gum specialist to look into the matter for you.

Bad breath is commonly a consequence of decayed teeth or unhealthy gums or both. One of our team can take all the necessary checks to find out for you and let you know how to resolve the problem.

Usually every 6 months.

Generally yes, dental x-rays are very safe. Often, dental x-rays have the same radiation exposure as eating several bananas or getting on a flight to Spain. There is always a risk, but usually this is outweighed by the benefit - the dentist should discuss this benefit with you.

A dental cavity is usually a hole in the tooth caused by tooth decay, which in turn is caused by certain bacteria in your mouth. A dental cavity may or may not be visible and maybe hidden within the tooth. The dentist will check your teeth and let you know if you have any cavities. Most cavities will need to be fixed, with a filling or metal or ceramic material, after removal of the decayed tooth.

It depends on the circumstance. Usually at home tooth whitening is the most effective and efficient way to whiten your teeth. To do this one of our hygienists or dentists will take impressions of your teeth and supply you with the custom made home whitening kit a week or so later.

Not only is the home whitening the best way to whiten your teeth, but you can also top up the whitening and control the colour of your teeth as you wish over many years.

In some cases tooth whitening treatment is not appropriate and other methods are required, such as veneers.

You should always have a check up and hygienist appointment before whitening your teeth.

We recommend that a child go to the dentist from age 1 or around six months after their first tooth comes through. Primary teeth begin growing from six months of age.

Good question. If you have gum disease, you will need remedial treatment. After checking precisely which teeth the gum disease is effecting and to what degree, our periodontal specialist or one of our hygienists cleans your teeth below the gum line, usually after your mouth has been numbed, in the areas that have been identified as having gum disease. This is usually done over one, two or four appointments.

If you have gum disease, the first treatment is to have non-surgical periodontal treatment. The gums are then checked again, and if there is persistent gum disease, after discussion with our periodontist, you may have further treatment targeting the non-responsive persistent sites. The treatment, known as surgical periodontal therapy, is undertaken when your mouth is numbed - the gum is pulled back and the problematic area treated, and the gum is then stitched back in place.

Every 6–12 months depending on your oral health.

Your dentist examines your teeth, gums, and oral tissues, checking for decay or disease.

Yes — radiation levels are very low and considered safe.

Every six months, or more frequently if recommended.

Yes. You can see our hygienists directly for professional cleaning. However, we recommend a check-up every 6–12 months.

Yes. It is not healthy for your gums to be bleeding, however the problem will probably be something we can deal with. It is best to come in to see one of our caring and thoughtful hygienists or our gum specialist to look into the matter for you.

Bad breath is commonly a consequence of decayed teeth or unhealthy gums or both. One of our team can take all the necessary checks to find out for you and let you know how to resolve the problem.

It depends on the circumstance. Usually at home tooth whitening is the most effective and efficient way to whiten your teeth. To do this one of our hygienists or dentists will take impressions of your teeth and supply you with the custom made home whitening kit a week or so later.

Not only is the home whitening the best way to whiten your teeth, but you can also top up the whitening and control the colour of your teeth as you wish over many years.

In some cases tooth whitening treatment is not appropriate and other methods are required, such as veneers.

You should always have a check up and hygienist appointment before whitening your teeth.

Over time, our teeth pick up superficial stains from our food and drink. The good news is that we can remove the majority of this staining - simply visit one of our hygienists. Sometime stains are more stubborn or are 'part' of the tooth. You may need tooth whitening, veneers or other treatments to improve the appearance of these teeth - our staff can guide you on the most appropriate option for you.

Good question. If you have gum disease, you will need remedial treatment. After checking precisely which teeth the gum disease is effecting and to what degree, our periodontal specialist or one of our hygienists cleans your teeth below the gum line, usually after your mouth has been numbed, in the areas that have been identified as having gum disease. This is usually done over one, two or four appointments.

If you have gum disease, the first treatment is to have non-surgical periodontal treatment. The gums are then checked again, and if there is persistent gum disease, after discussion with our periodontist, you may have further treatment targeting the non-responsive persistent sites. The treatment, known as surgical periodontal therapy, is undertaken when your mouth is numbed - the gum is pulled back and the problematic area treated, and the gum is then stitched back in place.

Every 3–6 months, depending on your gum health and lifestyle.

Modern ultrasonic tools make treatment gentle; mild sensitivity can occur but settles within a day.

A deep cleaning procedure that removes bacteria below the gum line to treat gum disease without surgery.

All our filling materials are modern composites that are tooth coloured. If you have any special request you should let our team know before coming in and we will accommodate your needs.

Nobody can tell for sure if it is a health problem to have amalgam fillings, however if you wish to have your fillings changed we provide a safe way to do that by using rubber dam, and high volume aspirators to ensure you are exposed to a minimum of mercury vapour when replacing these fillings

A dental cavity is usually a hole in the tooth caused by tooth decay, which in turn is caused by certain bacteria in your mouth. A dental cavity may or may not be visible and maybe hidden within the tooth. The dentist will check your teeth and let you know if you have any cavities. Most cavities will need to be fixed, with a filling or metal or ceramic material, after removal of the decayed tooth.

Tooth coloured fillings generally last, on average, around 5-7 years. During this time the filling may become chipped, stained around the edges and/or discoloured, and may need some maintenance treatment. Your filling may last less or longer than average.

Around 5–10 years depending on oral care and bite habits.

No — the area is numbed before treatment.

Decay may worsen, leading to infection or tooth loss.

It depends on the circumstance. Usually at home tooth whitening is the most effective and efficient way to whiten your teeth. To do this one of our hygienists or dentists will take impressions of your teeth and supply you with the custom made home whitening kit a week or so later.

Not only is the home whitening the best way to whiten your teeth, but you can also top up the whitening and control the colour of your teeth as you wish over many years.

In some cases tooth whitening treatment is not appropriate and other methods are required, such as veneers.

You should always have a check up and hygienist appointment before whitening your teeth.

Over time, our teeth pick up superficial stains from our food and drink. The good news is that we can remove the majority of this staining - simply visit one of our hygienists. Sometime stains are more stubborn or are 'part' of the tooth. You may need tooth whitening, veneers or other treatments to improve the appearance of these teeth - our staff can guide you on the most appropriate option for you.

On average a crown may last for 10-15 years, though any crown may last less or longer than average. During the time the crown is in your mouth it may chip, stain around the edges, and lose lustre.

Generally implants last quite a long time, but there will be complications and maintenance required. Implants are prone to gum disease, bone loss, and other problems that need to be tended to by one of our team.

A dental implant is a device used to replace missing teeth. The implant itself is made of titanium or sometimes ceramic and is threaded into the jaw bone, and is hidden under the gum. There are usually two further parts connected to the implant - the false tooth or teeth, which can be made in many different ways, and the part that connects the the false tooth/teeth to the implant (or implants). If you need further information please contact the practice.

With good care, implants last 15 years or more—often a lifetime.

It’s carried out under local anaesthetic or sedation; most patients report only mild soreness.

Most healthy adults can, provided bone levels and gum health are suitable.

A protective cap that covers and restores a damaged or weak tooth.

It takes two visits: one for preparation and impressions, another for fitting.

Modern crowns are colour-matched and look like natural teeth.

Bone grafting or supportive procedures may be recommended to improve bone volume.

There is no upper age limit for dental implants. As long as you are in good general health and have suitable bone levels, implants can be an excellent option for older adults who want stable, reliable teeth. Many of our implant patients in Highgate are in their 60s, 70s or 80s and enjoy excellent long-term results.

Smoking can increase the risks associated with implant treatment, including slower healing and a higher chance of implant failure. However, it doesn’t automatically prevent you from having implants. For the best success rate, we strongly recommend stopping smoking before and after treatment. Your clinician will discuss personalised advice at your consultation.