Nichola Sant
BDS (Bristol), MFDSRCS(Edin), MSc (Orthodontics), MOrth(Eng),
GDC Number: 77709
My name is Nichola and I am the specialist orthodontist at Bloxham Dental@Banbury. I enjoying treating both adults and children to help achieve straight teeth.
I studied at Bristol University and qualified in 2000. Since then I have successfully passed the Membership in Dental Surgery examination awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. In addition, I undertook postgraduate Orthodontic training at The Royal London Hospital, London, where I was awarded the degree of Master of Science in Orthodontics (St Mary’s University, London). After 3-years of full time study I was awarded the Membership in Orthodontics from the Royal College of Surgeons of England allowing me to become a registered Orthodontic Specialist with the General Dental Council.
I am a member of the British Dental Association and the British Orthodontic Society. As well as being a committee member of the Orthodontic Specialist group, I also sit on the Specialist Advisory Group for Orthodontics. I also work for the NHS as an Orthodontic Advisor.
I worked at a number of practices in West London before moving back to the Midlands where I was brought up. I keep myself at the cutting edge of orthodontics with peer review sessions with my local orthodontic colleagues and with regular attendance at training courses and national/international conferences.
I enjoy getting to know my patients well over the course of treatment. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my young family, reading and looking after my chickens.
Orthodontics Treatments
Orthodontics is a specialist field within dentistry dealing with the realignment of crooked teeth. Here at Bloxham Dental @Banbury we offer a range of treatments to straighten your teeth. Braces don’t necessarily have to be unsightly ‘train-tracks’; New technologies mean that we can offer solutions such as near-invisible aligners that work quickly to give you the smile you’ve always wanted.
Straighter teeth also means better oral and gum health.
Book a complimentary consultation with our orthodontist and discover straighter teeth and a more attractive smile.
NHS Orthodontic Services:
We are delighted to announce that Banbury Orthodontics working within Bloxham Dental @ Banbury has acquired an NHS contract to provide Orthodontic Services to patients under the age of 18, who meet the Index of Orthodontic Need (IOTN) criteria for NHS treatment. This service will commence from 1st April 2019.
We will be able to see patients under the age of 18 years, following a referral from your general dentist. An appointment for a full orthodontic assessment to determine eligibility for NHS treatment will be arranged, no fees payable. We are required to work within strict guidelines about who is eligible for NHS orthodontic treatment, working within the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN).
Treatment for mild/cosmetic problems are not available on the NHS as IOTN guidelines apply. Treatment in these cases will of course be available on a private basis should you wish to proceed.
Private Orthodontic Services:
Invisalign:
The braces no-one will know you’re wearing.
Bloxham Dental @Banbury now have a dedicated Invisalign specialist.
Invisalign is an extremely popular system of removable aligners designed to straighten your teeth as discreetly as possible. The aligners are almost invisible when they’re in place – so however self-conscious you might feel about wearing braces, you can take advantage of this system to gently realign your teeth without advertising the fact that you’re wearing braces
This means that Invisalign is the perfect solution for anyone who has considered orthodontic treatment but may have been put off by the idea of noticeable braces. Over 4 million patients worldwide have already discovered the advantages of this modern alternative to obtrusive metal braces.
The advantages of Invisalign are undeniable:
No-one need know that you’re wearing braces
Virtually invisible braces are available to straighten the teeth of patients of all ages
- They won’t damage your teeth in any way
- More adaptable than traditional braces for sports and active lifestyles
- Designed to help you maintain an effective oral hygiene regime
- Comfort is assured, as you return to us regularly for adjustments in line with your progress
- Is Invisalign the right solution for you?
Although Invisalign is a great solution for many patients, we’ll be delighted to talk through any and all of our orthodontic solutions in detail when you visit us. We’ll make sure you find an option which suits your individual case, budget and priorities.
Fixed Braces
Clear Ceramic Braces
Orthodontic treatment that won’t impact on your appearance
Clear ceramic braces are ideal for patients who are not suitable for Invisalign® but still wish to look good during treatment.
What are clear ceramic braces?
The traditional method of orthodontic treatment, which uses brackets and archwires to move teeth into position, is still in use today – and for good reason. It gets results. However, orthodontic technology has continued to advance and now provides patients with more discreet options. Clear ceramic braces are one of them.
Clear ceramic braces for the image conscious patient – Made of clear ceramic blocks and a thin metal wire, ceramic braces are fitted to the front surface of your teeth and offer a perfect compromise between metal braces and Invisalign.
The thought of having a mouth full of conspicuous metal can quite rightly put people off having orthodontic treatment. For teenagers, it’s the last thing they want during those ‘self-conscious years’ and for adults, it can feel a bit embarrassing needing orthodontic treatment ‘at that age’.
Clear ceramic braces, which blend in with the natural colour of your teeth, have a number of benefits for these groups of patients, such as:
Tooth coloured material makes them a very discreet treatment option
More aesthetically pleasing than traditional metal braces
Material won’t stain over time so they’ll remain discreet throughout the duration of your treatment
Based on the traditional method which means they’re effective
Traditional Metal Braces
What are traditional fixed braces?
Traditional fixed braces are what most people think of when they think of orthodontics – individual stainless steel brackets fitted to the front surface of each tooth, with a thin metal wire, known as an archwire, connecting them all together. Small elastic bands then work with the brackets and wires to move teeth into position with gentle force.
How do traditional fixed braces work?
Traditional fixed stainless steel braces work by exerting pressure onto the teeth to move them into position. This is done by the tightening of the archwire and with small elastic bands. While this pressure can be a little painful at times, usually after your ‘tightening appointment’, on the whole, you won’t even notice your teeth are moving. If you do experience some discomfort, this can be treated with over-the-counter pain relief as it only lasts a couple of days.
Traditional fixed braces for ultimate results;
Fixed stainless steel braces have continued to improve over time thanks to developments in orthodontic technology. This means, these braces are now suitable for patients of all ages because:
The brackets are much smaller and therefore more comfortable to wear
The system of brackets and archwires is simple yet effective
Special toothbrushes and mouthwash help enable you to clean your teeth thoroughly, even while wearing braces.
They are suitable for both major and minor orthodontic cases.
They still get great results.