I’m always amazed how much money we are prepared to spend on clothes, hair and other such indulgences in the pursuit of looking and feeling better, and comparatively, how little we spend when it comes to our teeth.
So, when I am invited for a consultation at multi award-winning elleven Dental Wellness, I need no persuasion to get me onto that dentist chair. Set in London’s prestigious Harley Street district, Elleven is stylish and chic with a strong wellness aesthetic. After a warm welcome, I’m shown to the very comfortable waiting lounge and handed an iPad to complete a quick health check and questionnaire (this is 2020 – let’s save those trees).
My appointment is with Dr Sameer Patel, clinical director and quite frankly pure dental genius. While his professional credentials are beyond impressive, his warm and personable approach allows him to deliver serious results to all of his clients. Dr Patel believes in providing high quality, meticulous dental care using state of the art technology. He is responsible for many famous smiles (Margot Robbie and David Gandy to name a few) and his philosophy is beautifully simple; to rejuvenate your smile so that it works in perfect balance with your face.
When we meet in his opulent consultation room, we chat in detail about what I would like to achieve. I explain that I’ve always been quite lucky with my teeth, but that over the past few years I’ve sensed them moving out of place. I hop on the chair to allow Dr Patel to take a closer look.
A routine examination is performed, and detailed photos taken, in order to formulate the optimal treatment plan, completely bespoke to my needs, my facial structure and health. Afterwards, we sit down together at the computer and I get to view my teeth as I’ve never seen them before. I’m horrified to discover that I have an early case of dental erosion and a misaligned jaw, but Dr Patel, ever reassuring, advises me that nothing is beyond fixing and that there is an option to try a straightening treatment should I wish to consider it (I definitely do!). The whole consultation takes about one hour, and I leave feeling positive in the knowledge that my teeth are in safe, expert hands. I’m even looking forward to my next visit to my new favourite dentist.
An initial consultation with Dr Patel costs £240. 11 Devonshire Place, W1G (020 7487 2711; ellevendental.com)