Twelve Dental ★9.9

A private centre led by a specialist orthodontist

Twelve Dental and Orthodontic Centre works privately only, in the middle of Birmingham. It is run by the clinicians who own it: specialist orthodontist Dr Anthony Lam, orthodontic therapist Rohima Begum and Dr Rasim Chowdhury are its registered directors and its clinical leads. Orthodontics is the centre of gravity here, and braces hidden behind the teeth are an everyday option rather than a curiosity. Before the rename the practice was the Academy of Birmingham Cosmetic Dentistry.

Orthodontics

Dr Lam took an MSc in Orthodontics at the University of London and taught the subject at Guy’s Hospital. He works with Incognito lingual appliances, Damon System and ceramic brackets, and with Invisalign, where he is a Diamond Apex provider and a UK clinical lead for Suresmile. Lingual braces sit on the tongue side of the teeth, on universal or laboratory-made custom brackets, with adjustments every six to eight weeks. Patients are taken from the age of eight upward, and Rohima Begum fits and adjusts appliances as an orthodontic therapist.

Technology

Scanning is done on an iTero Element 5D, which captures 3D shape, intraoral colour images and near-infrared views in one pass and puts a simulation of the finished bite on screen during the consultation. Scans replace putty impressions and speed the start of treatment. Whitening runs on the Enlighten and Philips Zoom systems or through custom-made home trays.

General and advanced dentistry

Beyond braces the centre covers examinations with oral cancer screening, composite fillings, onlays and crowns, bridges, dentures, root canal treatment, implants, veneers and smile makeovers, with facial aesthetics alongside. Endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics and oral surgery are kept under one roof, and dentist referrals and self-referrals are both accepted. Inhalation sedation with nitrous oxide is offered to anxious adults and children. Hygiene visits can be booked under direct access, and same-day emergency slots are open to people not registered here. Dr Csaba Joo, a Hungarian graduate with the practice since 2014, carries much of the general and cosmetic work.

Frequently asked questions

Is this an NHS practice? No — the practice describes itself as private only.

Must I be a registered patient to be seen urgently? No, emergency appointments are open to new patients too.

Are genuinely invisible braces available? Yes, lingual appliances are bonded behind the teeth by a specialist orthodontist.

What happens at a first visit? A medical history, clinical photographs, x-rays where needed, and a written treatment plan.

What does the regulator say? At its January 2026 inspection the Care Quality Commission found the practice met the regulations in every area it checks.

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