About
More Than Just Teeth: Getting to Know You
The first visit is a key moment — it is when Dr Fern Jean-Joseph meets the patient, listens to their story, and begins to understand what has brought them to seek orthodontic care. This consultation is not only about the teeth; it considers the overall smile, facial profile, and how everything works together. Dr Fern carries out a thorough clinical examination, taking into account medical history and habits such as thumb-sucking or mouth breathing, particularly in children, as these can affect jaw development and tooth position. She also assesses whether the smile is affected by issues such as a deep bite or a gummy smile, and how these may influence lip position and overall facial harmony.
Telling the Story of Your Smile
"Using simple language and visual aids, including examples from previous cases, I help you understand “the story of your mouth.” Patients often experience that ‘lightbulb moment’ when they can clearly visualise what’s happening and what we can do to improve it. This clarity is often the first step in building confidence and motivation for the journey ahead."
Dr Fern
About
Ready to Move Forward
From there, if you’re ready, we move to the next stage: a full orthodontic assessment. This includes X-rays, 3D scans, and digital study models, giving us all the information we need to plan your treatment with precision and care. Everything we do is tailored to your needs; no quick fixes, just a thorough, thoughtful approach to achieving your best smile.
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Frequently Asked Questions
This initial appointment is a 50-minute, in-depth consultation during which I take the time to listen to your concerns, assess your medical and dental history, and conduct a comprehensive clinical examination. I don’t just look at your teeth. I evaluate how your bite functions, how your smile aligns with your facial features, and whether other factors, such as a deep bite, gummy smile, or poor oral habits (like thumb-sucking or mouth breathing, especially for children) are impacting your dental development. This is about more than straight teeth: it’s about balance, function, and facial harmony.
Allow approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. I like to take the time to explain everything clearly, including showing you images of similar cases I've treated. My goal is that you leave the appointment with a much better understanding of your own smile and how we can improve it.
Please bring any previous dental or orthodontic records you may have, and feel free to come with any questions you may have. If it's for your child, try to observe any habits they may have (such as thumb-sucking or mouth breathing), as this information helps guide my assessment.
Not yet. This appointment is the first step, the full treatment plan comes after the diagnostic consultation, when we have all the necessary data (X-rays, scans, and study models). At that point, I will present all options clearly so you can make an informed decision.
The initial consultation is £150. If you decide to proceed with a full case assessment during this appointment, the total fee will be £250. This includes a panoramic X-ray (OPG) and digital study models of your teeth, all of which are completed during the same 50-minute session. This enables me to gather all the necessary information to thoroughly understand and study your case from the outset.
Once you commit to a full case assessment, we will schedule a diagnostic consultation about a week later (50 minutes). During this appointment, I will present your treatment plan in detail, including:
- The type of treatment recommended (e.g. fixed braces, Invisalign, or removable appliances)
- The estimated duration of treatment
- The importance of your cooperation (hygiene, appliance care, follow-ups)
- The treatment cost and available payment options
This ensures that you have all the necessary information to make a confident and well-informed decision about your care.
@drfernjeanjosephorthodontist
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