Orthodontics
"Your smile is the most important thing you wear"
Very few of us are lucky enough to have perfectly straight teeth without the help of orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics is a specialist branch of dentistry that involves moving teeth using a brace, which can be fixed to the teeth or removable.
An Orthodontist is a dentist who completes a further 3 years of postgraduate specialist training. In the UK, this title is awarded after a rigorous assessment process by the awarding university and The Royal College of Surgeons.
Orthodontic treatment is used to improve the appearance, position and function of crooked or abnormally arranged teeth. Rather than cover up crooked teeth with ceramic veneers that can be damaging, your own teeth can be cosmetically straightened. Modern orthodontic braces can be invisible, and the time taken to straighten the teeth can be a lot quicker than you think.
The Sandford is one of a few referral centres in the South East that has all the latest state-of-the-art equipment and clinical expertise under one roof, making the patient journey efficient and effortless when it comes to managing a range of cases, from simple cosmetic alignment to complex cases requiring input from different specialities.
At The Sandford we pride ourselves in providing the highest standards of care in a friendly and relaxing environment, to give you the beautiful smile you have always dreamt of.
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*NEW* Iconix Braces!
Iconix braces are a sophisticated and elegant alternative to traditional metal braces. The stylish champagne light gold finish, blends beautifully with the teeth. The Iconix brace truly offers the best of both worlds - the durability of stainless steel and the aesthetics of champagne gold.
Have a smile as good as gold!
*NEW* SureSmile Aligners!
SureSmile Aligners are a series of transparent, removable and virtually invisible clear aligners designed to progressively straighten your teeth into their ideal position.
Take the first step towards a more confident and healthy smile, with SureSmile Aligners!
Your Orthodontic Options
Lingual Braces
Looking for a new smile but worried about wearing a brace that shows, then the lingual brace is the perfect option for you. Lingual braces are customised fixed braces, fitted on the inner surface of the teeth making them virtually impossible to notice. They are precision manufactured and custom made to fit only your teeth. They function much like traditional braces, with full control and movement of the teeth and are suitable for both adults and children. Now you can look forward to smiling with confidence throughout your treatment.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are almost invisible as they are made of thin transparent plastic and are discreet to wear. Each aligner is custom made as part of a series of aligners designed to move your teeth little by little, each tiny shift taking you a step closer to the final straightened position. The aligners are removed during eating and cleaning and in certain cases might be the right option, particularly if you want to be more discreet about undergoing straightening treatment. However, for more complex tooth movements, fixed braces are a more suitable option.
Ceramic Braces (Clear Braces)
If you are looking for a discreet and effective option to straighten your teeth, then the ceramic brace is the ideal solution for you. Ceramic braces are fitted on the front surface of the teeth and function similarly to metal braces. They are made from a clear or tooth-coloured ceramic material which makes them significantly less visible than traditional braces and are suitable for both adults and children.
Iconix™ Aesthetic Braces
Iconix braces are a sophisticated and elegant alternative to traditional metal braces. The stylish champagne light gold finish, blends beautifully with the teeth. The Iconix brace truly offers the best of both worlds - the durability of stainless steel and the aesthetics of champagne gold. Have a smile as good as gold!
Metal Braces
These are traditional fixed braces made out of stainless steel and fitted on the front surface of the teeth. These are suitable for both adults and children. All orthodontic problems can be carried out using metal braces and their only disadvantage is that they are visible, however modern metal braces are designed to be much more discreet and comfortable than in the past. We find that the appearance does not concern most children and many adults, in fact many prefer to show them off by choosing to have coloured elastics.
Dentofacial Orthopaedics
Occasionally, the jaws do not develop properly, and this can result in functional problems with the bite, adult teeth not having enough room to grow straight, poor aesthetics of the face and smile. The lower jaw may be setback or protruding and the upper jaw sometimes too small. In adults, the options may often be limited to jaw surgery to correct the jaw discrepancy, however in growing children facial orthopaedics can be used to re-direct the growth of the jaws, putting them in harmony with each other and the rest of the face, minimising the need for jaw surgery later as an adult. Orthopaedic appliances are most effective around the age of 8-9 for correcting a prominent lower jaw/small upper jaw and age 9-11 for a setback lower jaw, although older patients can also benefit if facial growth is still taking place.
Anti-Snoring Device
If you suffer from snoring or sleep apnoea, a mandibular advancement splint may be the perfect solution for you. This removable custom-made appliance is fitted on your teeth and works by gently holding the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open and therefore helps relieve symptoms of sleep apnoea and snoring, giving you a more restful night of sleep and a rejuvenated self.
Our Orthodontic Specialist
Nina Shaffie
Orthodontic Specialist
[GDC No. 74026]
BDS Honours (Lond) MJDF RCS (Eng), MSc Orth (Lond), MOrth RCS (Edin)
Dr Shaffie, is a multiple award-winning Specialist Orthodontist, International Lecturer & Speaker. Dr Nina prides herself in offering an extremely high standard of orthodontic treatment in a relaxed and friendly environment.
She graduated with Honours from Barts and The London School of Dentistry in 2010. She continued her training completing a year as a dentist followed by a year as a Maxillofacial Senior House Officer at The Royal London Hospital and The Homerton Hospital, where she gained experience in head and neck, trauma and orthognathic surgery. Read More
Following this, she continued work in practice as a dentist and part-time clinical supervisor in Oral Surgery, at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Dr Nina undertook her three year Orthodontic Specialist postgraduate training degree at King's College Hospital, Stoke Mandeville Hospital and Wexham Park Hospital. She qualified top of her class with a distinction in her Master of Science in Orthodontics and was presented with the prestigious Philip Walther Prize for the most outstanding performance, awarded by King's College London. She also attained the Membership in Orthodontics (MOrth) with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Furthermore, she was awarded and selected for a short clinical attachment in the Orthodontic department in Sydney, Australia.
Dr Nina was awarded 'Best Orthodontic Practice South' at the Clinical Dentistry Awards in 2023, 'Best Young Orthodontist South' at Clinical Dentistry Awards in 2022 and 'Best Young Dentist South East' in 2018 at the Private Dentistry Awards. She has also been a finalist in multiple other dental awards. As a result of her success, she now serves as a Judge for Private Dentistry and Clinical Dentistry Awards.
Dr Nina is a prominent member of the dental community and a Key Opinion Leader. As an international lecturer, she trains and educates both dentists and orthodontists worldwide. Dr Nina is Vice President of PEERs Orthodontics and serves on the Clinical Advisory Panel for SureSmile, where she contributes her expertise to advancing orthodontic practices and technologies.
Dr Nina has been heavily involved in orthodontic research and audits, and has presented her work at national and international conferences, as well as having papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. She is an active member of a number of orthodontic societies both nationally and internationally.
Her patients include high profile clients and celebrities; with her work having been featured live on the Brit Awards, in magazines such as Vogue and Billboard, and mentioned on BBC News.
Nina's 
Videos
Braces - What you need to know
Braces - Home care advice
7 Tips for orthodontic wearers
10 Secrets of Clear Aligners Aftercare
Request a Consultation with Nina
Check out Nina's Instagram Channel
