Fifteen questions patients ask us.
If yours isn't here, WhatsApp Hira — she answers in about 9 minutes during working hours.
Why is the first consultation paid? Isn't it usually free?+
Our first consultation is PKR 3,500 and takes 30 minutes — full exam, panoramic X-ray if clinically useful, written treatment plan, and prices. The fee is deducted from any treatment started within 30 days. We charge for it because free consultations incentivise dentists to sell you something to recoup the time; we would rather you leave with a plan and no obligation.
Do you quote a fixed price or a range?+
Our price list shows a range for most treatments because complexity varies — a one-surface filling is not the same as a four-surface filling. At your consultation you get a fixed price per tooth, not a range. That price will not change unless the clinical situation changes on the day (e.g. we find a hidden caries extending further than the X-ray showed).
Do you accept instalments?+
Yes, for treatments over PKR 50,000. Typically one-third at treatment start, one-third at the mid-point, and one-third at completion. Interest-free. We do not report to credit bureaus.
Which insurance panels are you on?+
We are on State Life, Jubilee, Adamjee, and EFU health-insurance panels. We are also on the Telenor Pakistan corporate panel and the ISB Rotary Club panel. The specifics of what is covered vary by insurer — see /insurance for details. For anything not covered by a panel we can provide a RERA-format receipt for you to claim elsewhere.
Will my employer-provided insurance cover a root canal?+
Most do, up to a ceiling (typically PKR 20,000–25,000 per tooth on the plans we see). Your policy schedule will say. For amounts above the ceiling, you pay the difference. Dr. Maham handles panel-billing paperwork in-house — we chase the claim for you.
What are your hours?+
Monday–Saturday 10 AM–8 PM. Friday we close for afternoon prayers (13:00–15:00). Closed Sunday except for emergencies (WhatsApp only, Dr. Saira on call). Our Silver Oaks Plaza location has paid parking on the ground floor and a free 45-minute slot on the 2nd basement for SmilePlus patients (ask reception for the stamp).
How far in advance should I book?+
Dr. Maham: usually 2 days. Dr. Hamza (ortho): usually 3 days. Dr. Saira (cosmetic): 5–7 days, because we hold her calendar for longer cosmetic and restorative slots. Emergencies (severe pain, knocked-out tooth): we hold same-day slots at 11 AM and 4 PM — WhatsApp us directly.
Can I book through WhatsApp?+
Yes — our WhatsApp (+92 333 844 6200) is the fastest route. Our assistant Hira answers within 9 minutes during working hours and will book you in. For complex cases (multiple teeth, insurance pre-auth, medical history relevant to the treatment) Hira will pass you to the relevant dentist's nurse for a follow-up call before booking.
Is a root canal painful?+
It should not be. Modern RCTs with good anaesthesia and rotary instrumentation are usually no more uncomfortable than a deep filling. If you have been told RCTs are painful it is almost always from a provider rushing the anaesthesia or using outdated manual instrumentation. We take the time needed to get you fully numb before starting.
I am scared of dentists. How do you handle anxious patients?+
Dr. Saira and Dr. Maham both see a lot of genuinely anxious patients — not unusual, nothing to apologise for. Options include: longer consultation appointments so nothing is rushed, breaks as needed, a weighted blanket, headphones and music you bring, and for specific procedures, sedation with our visiting anaesthetist Dr. Arif Aziz on Wednesdays. Tell us you are anxious when you book and we will allow extra time.
Do you do Botox or fillers?+
No. We are a dental practice. Dr. Saira is asked about this sometimes, but she specifically does not offer aesthetic injectables — it is not what we trained for, there are better-qualified specialists in Islamabad (Dr. Maria Ahmed at Aesthetics Islamabad, for example), and we prefer to focus on what we do well.
Can you remove my metal fillings and replace with white?+
Yes, but we would only recommend it if the filling is failing or the tooth is symptomatic. Metal (amalgam) fillings in sound condition last decades and the act of removing them exposes the tooth to more trauma than leaving them. We will not recommend prophylactic removal for cosmetic reasons alone — plenty of clinics will, so this is a point of difference.
At what age should my child first see a dentist?+
First visit by age 2, or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting — whichever comes first. The purpose of the first visit is not a cleaning; it is to familiarise the child with the environment. Dr. Maham does a 15-minute meet-and-greet: they sit in the chair, we count teeth, they get a toothbrush. PKR 1,800 for this visit.
Do you take teenagers for orthodontic work?+
Yes — Dr. Hamza treats adolescents regularly. Typical age range for starting fixed braces is 12–14 once most permanent teeth have erupted. For earlier interceptive work (habit-breaking appliances, space maintainers) we can assess from age 7.
I knocked out a tooth. What do I do RIGHT NOW?+
Pick the tooth up by the crown (white part), NOT the root. If dirty, rinse in milk or saline — do not scrub. Try to push it back into the socket yourself. If it will not go back in, put it in a cup of cold milk (not water). Call us on +92 333 844 6200 and come immediately. Time is critical — ideally within 30 minutes.