Health still comes first at UK's first "invisible smile" clinic

The London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic was the UK's first specialist practice dedicated to lingual smiles. Five years on, it has a new look with new technology for delivering straight smiles in reduced times, but still with a major emphasis on health, making it unusual among orthodontic practices.

The UK’s first dental clinic dedicated to lingual orthodontics is embarking on an exciting new phase this month. It still majors in invisible teeth-straightening  – braces placed “lingually” on the tongue side of the teeth – but following a redesign and building work, the Wimpole Street practice is now bigger and brighter while retaining its three-pronged focus on specialist invisible treatment, cutting edge technology and health.

Five years on from its initial launch, the clinic continues to offer a range of invisible lingual systems as well as conventional orthodontics and aligner systems to a wide spectrum of ages, from teenagers to over 60s. Whatever the reason for a referral to the clinic, patients find that by the end of treatment their teeth are both straighter and healthier.

Unusually for an orthodontic practice, LLOC employs two hygienists. All patients who do not have access to a hygienist in their own practice are strongly encouraged to see one of the clinic’s two hygienists. Asif Chatoo, the founder of the clinic, removes the patient’s wires, so patients get a thorough clean when they need one. Research shows, says Asif, that lingual braces are less likely to leave marks on teeth but he likes to make sure that his patients face no risk of marking at all.

His commitment to lingual orthodontics has led to him being a Lecturer in Lingual Orthodontics and a Course Administrator at Warwick University. He is the author of a chapter on ‘Interdisciplinary Treatment with Lingual Orthodontics’ in the book Esthetics in Lingual Orthodontics (Quintessence Publishing) and the first and only orthodontist in the UK to be accredited by both the European and World Societies of Lingual Orthodontics.

Speaking after the party to launch the new phase, Asif said: “We are all really happy with the new look here and hope patients enjoy the environment. While on the surface we look different, high standards of clinical treatment and excellent communication with patients and remain at the heart of everything we do. I hope this is what we continue to be known for.”