Teeth Whitening Options: What You Need to Know

If you’re searching for a new dentist in Hale, the new patient assessment is the appointment that sets the tone for everything that follows. Done properly, it should leave you with a clear picture of your oral health, a plan you understand, and the confidence to make informed decisions about your treatment. Done poorly, it’s a quick check, a vague reassurance, and a vague unease that something might have been missed.

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This post sets out exactly what’s included in a new patient assessment at Ace Dental, what it costs, and why we structure it the way we do. Whether you’re switching from another dentist, returning to private care after time away, or coming in for the first time as an adult, you’ll know exactly what to expect.

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The headline summary

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A new patient assessment at Ace Dental costs £85 and lasts 30 minutes with Dr Imran Nisar. It includes a full clinical examination, digital scans using our iTero Lumina scanner, x-rays where clinically needed, and a written treatment plan if any work is recommended. You’ll then sit with our treatment coordinator, Nicole, for a further 30 minutes to walk through the plan, discuss costs, finance and next steps.

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The total appointment time is around an hour, although the time you spend with Dr Imran is 30 minutes specifically. We’re transparent about that distinction because some practices advertise “an hour with the dentist” when the dentist only sees you for the first ten minutes.

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Why the assessment looks the way it does

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A new patient assessment is the most important appointment in your relationship with any dentist. It’s where the baseline picture of your oral health is established, where we identify any issues that need attention, and where we start to understand what matters to you about your smile.

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Done well, the assessment generates a clinical record that informs every subsequent appointment. Done badly, you end up being treated reactively, dealing with issues only as they become painful.

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Our approach is to take the time to do it properly the first time. The £85 fee reflects the depth of the examination and the digital scanning involved, not just a quick look in your mouth.

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Step one: the clinical examination w

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Dr Imran Nisar, our owner and principal dentist, leads every new patient assessment personally. His clinical background covers post-graduate diplomas in aesthetic restorative dentistry, endodontology and periodontology, plus a certificate in implants and a pending MSc in Prosthodontics. That breadth matters because a thorough examination needs to cover all of these areas.

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During the examination, Imran assesses:

• The health of your teeth, looking for decay, wear, cracks and old restorations that may need attention
• The health of your gums, including any signs of periodontal disease, recession or bleeding
• Your bite and the way your teeth meet, which has implications for long-term wear and TMJ comfort
• The soft tissues of your mouth, including a routine oral cancer screening
• The aesthetic position of your smile, particularly if you’ve mentioned cosmetic concerns
• The status of any existing dental work, including fillings, crowns, bridges or implants

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Everything is documented in your clinical record, and you’ll see Imran refer to this assessment in every future appointment.

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Step two: the iTero Lumina scan

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Every new patient at Re-Ignite Dental gets a digital scan using our iTero Lumina, the latest generation of intraoral scanner. This is a small wand that captures a complete three-dimensional model of your teeth in a few minutes. There are no moulds, no impression material, and nothing to trigger a gag reflex.

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The scan serves several purposes. It creates a permanent digital record of your teeth that can be compared over time. It identifies issues that aren’t always visible to the eye, like early wear or subtle bite asymmetries. And it generates a smile simulation that gives you a preview of what your smile could look like with cosmetic treatment, if that’s a conversation you want to have.

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We scan every new patient regardless of whether they’re interested in cosmetic treatment. We don’t see it as upselling. We see it as creating a complete picture of your mouth that informs every decision from this point forward.

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Step three: x-rays where clinically needed

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X-rays are taken when they’re clinically necessary, not as a matter of routine. Dr Imran will explain why specific x-rays are being recommended and what they’ll show.

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Most commonly, this means small bitewing x-rays to check for decay between teeth, or a panoramic OPG x-ray if there’s a need to see the wider picture of your jaw and root structures. These are charged separately at £15 per dental x-ray or £75 for a panoramic.

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If your case is more complex, particularly for dental implant planning, we may refer you for a CBCT (cone beam) scan at a centre ten minutes from the practice. CBCT scans are also available and charged at £250. We’re bringing CBCT in-house in the coming months.

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Step four: the treatment coordinator consultation

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After your time with Dr Imran, you’ll spend 30 minutes with Nicole, our treatment coordinator. This is where the clinical conversation translates into a practical plan.

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Nicole will walk you through any treatment Imran has recommended, explain why each step is being suggested, and answer questions about cost, sequence and timing. She’ll show you the smile simulation if cosmetic options were discussed, and she’ll discuss finance with you if relevant. We offer 0% finance through Tabeo for up to 18 months, with longer terms available at 9.9% APR.

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The reason this stage exists is simple. Treatment decisions are easier to make when you’ve had time to absorb the clinical information without having to also process cost, timing and logistics at the same time. The split between “what’s going on” with Imran and “what happens next” with Nicole tends to make both conversations more useful.

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You leave with a written treatment plan, transparent pricing, and the time and space to make a decision.