• First Appointment

When you arrive at Ashlow, you will be greeted by one of our friendly receptionists. They may ask you to complete some forms for our records and ask you to take a seat in our waiting area. Our medical history questionnaires are now completed online, so we will ask you for an email address so this can be sent to you. We would ask if you can kindly fill in this medical history questionnaire as soon as possible so that the orthodontist can review the information you have provided. 

Your first appointment will be with the specialist orthodontist to carry out a full assessment of your face, jaws and teeth. This will also give you an opportunity to discuss any problems or concerns that you have. The orthodontist will be happy to help you and answer any queries. You may hear the orthodontist shout out some technical words to the nurse during your assessment so please don’t worry, this is just part of the assessment. If needed, we may also take x-rays of your teeth to help us with the assessment.

Once this has been completed, the orthodontist will discuss in detail the outcome of the assessment. If you have been referred as an NHS patient, we will be able to tell you if you qualify for treatment provided under the NHS and what your treatment plan will involve. If you do not qualify for NHS treatment, or if you are a private patient the orthodontist will also discuss the treatment options and costs of the treatment. We will discuss the different types of braces available and which may be best suited to your needs. Again, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.  

• Nervous Patients

We understand that some patients may be nervous or apprehensive about coming to the practice and having orthodontic treatment. We are a very friendly team at Ashlow and we will do our utmost to make you feel comfortable and happy throughout your treatment. 

If you do suffer with dental anxiety, or you are feeling nervous about having treatment please do let us know. Our experienced clinicians will take time to talk to you and help you feel more comfortable and you can discuss any concerns that you may have. You could also listen to your own music whilst we are carrying out the treatment if this makes you feel more comfortable.

Many of our patients who are nervous when they first attend the practice feel much more confident by the time their treatment is finished. It is great for us as a team to see a patient’s confidence grow and one part of our job that we love.

• NHS Patients

Anyone under the age of 18 is entitled to a free NHS assessment to determine if they are eligible for treatment. To assess eligibility the orthodontist will use the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). The NHS will only provide funding for patients who are in greater need of treatment and therefore will not usually cover treatment that is purely aesthetic.  

If you wish to be seen for an NHS assessment, you must be referred to our practice by your usual dentist. Unfortunately, we do have an extensive waiting list for NHS patients. This is because we are only allocated a certain amount of funding and can therefore only start a certain number of cases each year. If you do not wish to wait on the list you do have the option of starting treatment privately. 

Once you reach the top of the list, or if your dentist has indicated on the referral there is an urgent need to start the treatment, you will be invited to attend the practice for an initial consultation appointment. The orthodontist will make an assessment of your teeth using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). They will then discuss with you whether you are eligible for NHS treatment or whether the IOTN score is too low.  If you are eligible for NHS treatment the treatment plan will be discussed and we will arrange for your next appointment for some basic records which will include photographs of your face and teeth, a digital scan of the teeth and x-rays if these have not already been done. 

If you are not eligible for NHS treatment, you can still pursue orthodontic treatment on a private basis. Private treatment options and costs will be discussed with you. 

• Private Patients

We offer private orthodontic treatment for adult patients over 18, children under 18 who do not qualify for NHS treatment or who do not wish to wait on the NHS waiting list for treatment. 

Why choose us? 
We believe there are many reasons why you should choose Ashlow Orthodontics to provide you with your orthodontic treatment and your journey towards your new smile: 

• We are a specialist orthodontist practice and our goal is to provide the highest standard of care to our patients at all times 
• We provide a positive welcoming atmosphere to help you feel at ease and enable you to enjoy your orthodontic journey with us 
• We provide a range of treatment options and will give you honest advice which will be tailored to each individual patient and their treatment needs.
• We have invested in new technology such as our 3shape intra-oral digital scanner which allows us to take 3D images of the teeth and we always aim to keep up to date with the latest technologies.
• We always take time to listen to our patients queries or concerns and welcome feedback to enable us to continuously improve our service 
• We are an experienced team who are dedicated to our professional development
• We offer interest-free payment plans with no hidden costs
• We have received many excellent reviews and testimonials from our patients 
• We are CQC registered and a member of the BDA good practice.

What are the consultation fees? 
We offer a free initial consultation for adult patients over 18. For children under the age of 18 there is a small consultation fee of £25. This will include a full assessment and treatment plan. The orthodontist will discuss your treatment options, an estimate of how long the treatment will take and the costs. You will be provided with a written quotation at the end of the appointment to take away with you. 

How much does private treatment cost? 
For adult patients the cost of orthodontic treatment starts at £2500 for upper and lower fixed braces, for children the cost starts from £2000 for total orthodontic treatment, including fixed and removable retainers. The cost will vary depending on the type of brace you would like to have, and these options will be discussed at your consultation appointment.
For more information please see our page on fees and offers. 

Do you offer a payment plan?
We offer interest-free payment plans which will allow you to spread the cost of your treatment. Certain types of appliances will require a higher deposit. The costs and payment plans available will be discussed in detail at the consultation appointment. 

Why should I start treatment privately? 
There are many benefits to starting orthodontic treatment privately at Ashlow: 

• No waiting lists 
• Extremely competitive prices 
• Payment plan to make treatment more affordable with 0% interest
• Wider choice of appliances and treatment options
• More aesthetically pleasing options 
• Cleaning pack provided at the start of fixed appliance treatment, and retainer box and retainerbrite cleaning solution provided at the end of treatment. 
• Regular appointments every 4 weeks