Member Article

650 smiles later: Huddersfield’s Courtyard dental centre wins award for pioneering, near-invisible straightening technique

A forward-thinking Huddersfield dental practice has been crowned Yorkshire’s experts in the use of Invisalign, an ultra-modern way to straighten teeth.

The Courtyard private dental centre has treated 650 patients so far with the revolutionary technology overtaking traditional wire braces, more than any other dentist in the county.

The practice in a cobbled square off King Street in Huddersfield town centre has won an award from Invisalign for its work over the past decade.

As early adopters, at a time when many other dentists stuck to wire methods, they were ahead of the curve – as were their patients.

Such new technology is the biggest reason for a national upturn in adults seeking teeth straightening treatments that dentists all over the country are reporting.

Marcos White, founder of The Courtyard, said: “We have experienced a 33% growth rate in new Invisalign customers year on year for the past five years. We are confident that Invisalign will overtake traditional braces in the adult market over the next five years.”

“We do not provide fixed metal braces. We feel that if a patient is lacking confidence in their smile, the last thing they will be looking for is a straightening technique which draws attention to their teeth.

“For this reason, we work solely with Invisalign – the global market leaders in discreet orthodontics. Having successfully treated over 5 million patients worldwide the technique is well proven.”

Marcos continued: “About 90% of our Invisalign patients are women aged 25 to 35 including brides-to-be wanting to look their best for their wedding and busy mothers of young children looking to do something for themselves.

“If straightening meant wearing a brace for two years, people wouldn’t be taking that step in increasing numbers but wearing near-invisible aligners for a few months is a much more attractive prospect.

“Our patients come from all over West and South Yorkshire and often due to recommendations from other patients.”

Total costs for the six-month treatment are £2,679 that can be paid monthly over two years. The price is similar to that of wire braces and less expensive than other methods such as white-coloured or behind-the-teeth braces.

The 20-strong team at The Courtyard has almost 1,500 private patients in total. Marcos joined the practice in 2003 and bought it in 2006.

Its ordinary, clinically-styled premises were transformed to a plush environment akin to a boutique hotel or spa with the help of interior designers and rapid expansion has led to the practice now occupying four former business premises around the picturesque yard.

The Courtyard focuses as much on customer experience as its dental services and has invested £1/4 million in new dentistry technology over the past two years.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Katie Mallinson .