Straighter teeth without a mouth full of metal. Clear aligners are a set of clear, removable trays that move your teeth into place a little at a time. Most people will not notice you are wearing them, and you take them out to eat and clean your teeth.
Tell us when suits and we will call you back to arrange it. No obligation.
Treatment Overview
What AreClear Aligners?
Orthodontics is the part of dentistry that straightens teeth and corrects the way they bite together. Clear aligners are the modern, discreet way to do it.
Instead of fixed metal braces, you wear a series of clear, removable trays called aligners. Each one moves your teeth a little closer to where they should be, and you change to the next tray in the set as you go. The aligners are clear and sit close against your teeth, so most people will not notice you are wearing them. There are no brackets or wires, nothing sharp to rub, and no list of foods to avoid, because you simply take the aligners out to eat and to clean your teeth.
Your treatment is planned and led by our orthodontist, who works only in orthodontics. They are a clear aligner specialist, they treat children, teens and adults, and in 2023 they won an award for the best orthodontic treatment with clear aligners. Before you commit to anything, they map out your treatment on a digital plan, so you can see how your teeth will move before you go ahead.
If the dentist makes you anxious, this is a gentle place to start. Straightening your teeth with aligners involves no needles and no drilling. Appointments here are longer, so nothing is rushed, and you see the same familiar faces every visit.
What clear aligners can help with:
Crowded or crooked teeth
Gaps between your teeth
Teeth that stick out
A bite that does not meet properly
Teeth that have shifted over the years
Teeth that have moved back after old braces
What you get here:
An orthodontist who works only in orthodontics
A digital plan you can see before you commit
Removable aligners you take out to eat and clean
Longer appointments, so nothing gets rushed
The same familiar faces every visit
Book your appointment
A new patient examination is £92.
Including any X-rays you need. From there, our orthodontist will tell you honestly whether clear aligners are right for you.
We look at your teeth and your bite, talk through what is bothering you and what you want to change, and tell you honestly whether clear aligners will work for you.
02
A digital scan and your plan
We take a digital scan of your teeth, and our orthodontist maps out how they will move, step by step. You see the plan before you decide to go ahead.
03
You wear your aligners
You wear a series of clear aligners, changing to the next set as your teeth shift. You take them out to eat and clean, and we check your progress along the way.
04
A retainer to keep them straight
Once your teeth are where you want them, we fit a retainer. This holds everything in place so your new smile lasts.
Longer appointments, so we can talk through your concerns and give you a break if you need one.
Almost pain-free injections
The Wand numbs you without the big needle or the sting. Most patients are surprised how easy it is.
Digital X-rays
We diagnose faster, more accurately and with far less radiation than older film.
A hand to hold
Bring a partner in, or hold a nurse's hand. If you ever need us, we respond the same day.
About Waterside Dental
Your private dental practicein Hythe.
Waterside Dental is a private practice in Hythe, owned and led by principal dentist Dr Nikos Louskos since 2017. It has recently been refurbished to feel more like home than a clinic, and is run by a small, hand-picked team — so you'll always see a familiar face.
Care here is unhurried and patient-led. Appointments are longer so concerns can be talked through properly, treatment is explained in plain language, and nothing is rushed — with breaks during longer procedures whenever you need them.
We welcome private patients from Hythe and across Southampton — whether you're registering as a new patient or visiting for a single course of treatment while staying with your current dentist.
"I firmly believe that dentistry doesn't have to be unpleasant or scary, and that often it can be life-changing."
DR NIKOS LOUSKOS
Our Principal Dentist
Meet Dr NikosLouskos.
DDS · MSc Endodontics · GDC No. 102626
Principal dentist and practice owner, with a special interest in endodontics.
Dr Nikos Louskos qualified in Athens in 2005 and moved to the UK in 2006. He worked as an associate at Waterside before taking ownership of the practice in 2017.
In 2016 he completed a Master's in Endodontic Practice at Queen Mary University of London. He accepts referrals for complex root canal cases, which he treats under a microscope, and enjoys all aspects of general dentistry.
Nobody wants surprises after a dental visit. You'll get an itemised treatment plan with exact costs before anything begins, plus monthly payment options to spread the cost.
Finance is provided by Tabeo and is interest-bearing from 9.9% APR. Practice-plan discounts apply to selected treatments — full terms are listed on the Fees and Plans pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions patientsask us.
A few of the things patients ask us most often. If your question isn't here, just get in touch — we're happy to talk it through.
It depends how far your teeth need to move, so we give you an exact price after our orthodontist has assessed you, rather than a guess before. You get the cost in writing, and you can spread it with monthly finance.
No. Healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age. We treat adults, teens and children, and many aligner patients are adults who never had the chance as a teenager, or whose teeth have drifted over the years. As long as your gums and the bone around your teeth are healthy, age is not a barrier.
They are gentle. You feel some pressure for a day or two each time you change to a new aligner, because that is your teeth moving, but there are no needles, no wires and no brackets. Most patients are surprised how easy they are to wear.
Most will not. The aligners are clear and sit close against your teeth. That is the main reason adults choose them over metal braces.
It depends how far your teeth need to move. Some cases take a few months, others longer. Our orthodontist will give you a realistic timescale at your consultation, once they have seen your teeth.
Yes. Our orthodontist assesses children from around the age of six and advises parents on whether early treatment would help. Straightening is about more than looks, it helps the teeth and jaw settle into a healthier position. Sometimes we will simply keep an eye on things until the right time.
Yes, and this part matters. Teeth naturally try to drift back over time. A retainer holds your straightened teeth in place, so wearing it as advised is what makes the result last. You can read more on our retainers page.
Tell us when you book. Straightening your teeth with aligners involves no needles and no drilling, and appointments here are longer so nothing is rushed. If you need other treatment first, we use The Wand, which numbs you without the big needle or the sting, and we offer oral or intravenous sedation if you need it.
We are a private practice. That means longer appointments and no restrictions on materials or techniques. All our prices are published, and our Practice Plan lets you spread routine care across monthly payments.
Whether you'd like to book or just have a question about treatment, send us a message and a member of the team will get back to you — the same day wherever we can.
