Meet The Expert: Dr Jinesh Thakrar, Cosmetic Dentist at The Harley Street Smile Clinic

Today, he focuses on bespoke smile transformations, having trained extensively in restorative and cosmetic dentistry with world renowned mentor Dr Chris Orr. He also brings advanced Invisalign expertise, confidently managing complex orthodontic cases and helping patients achieve natural, beautifully aligned smiles. His commitment to minimally invasive, ethical treatments, from composite bonding to porcelain veneers, has earned him a reputation for results that feel authentic and life enhancing.

In this exclusive conversation, Dr Thakrar shares the art of subtle yet powerful transformations, the innovations redefining modern cosmetic dentistry, and how he creates an experience that feels both luxurious and deeply personal.

You began your career in special care dentistry. How has that early experience shaped the way you connect with and reassure patients today?

Working in special care dentistry was an invaluable experience that really shaped how I communicate and connect with patients. Each individual had unique needs, so I learned to adapt my communication style, whether supporting an autistic child or an adult with a learning disability.

That experience taught me the importance of patience, empathy, and truly listening. Taking the time to understand each patient’s concerns and priorities allows me to tailor care to their specific needs. I have carried that approach forward throughout my career, focusing on building trust, reassuring patients, and creating a positive experience from the very first interaction.

Many people see cosmetic dentistry as purely aesthetic, but your work is rooted in function and health. How do you balance beauty with long-term wellbeing?

There is often a misconception that cosmetic dentistry is purely about appearance, even when the underlying oral health is not ideal. I see cosmetic work as the final art piece, the finishing detail, but without a strong, healthy foundation it simply will not last.

For me, the balance between beauty and long-term wellbeing starts with ensuring the teeth and gums are healthy and stable before any aesthetic treatment. I also see cosmetic dentistry as an opportunity to educate and empower patients, helping them understand how to maintain their oral health so that their new smile not only looks good but also stands the test of time.

Composite bonding and porcelain veneers are often compared. What do most patients misunderstand about these two approaches?

Many people assume composite bonding is always the superior option and that porcelain veneers damage or weaken natural teeth. Social media has played a big role in shaping these misconceptions, particularly through 'Turkey teeth' and misinformation about the treatments themselves. This has led to people assuming veneers require the teeth to be shaved down to stumps, which is not the case.

Materials and techniques now allow for minimal or even no preparation veneers that can achieve excellent, long-lasting results. Both composite bonding and porcelain veneers are valuable options. For me, it is never about which treatment is better, but rather which one is best suited to the individual. I see these discussions as an opportunity to educate and guide patients, helping them make informed choices that align with their goals, lifestyle, and long-term oral health, achieving a result that is both functional and beautiful.

You are highly trained in Invisalign, even for complex cases. What is something surprising about orthodontic work that patients do not realise until they are in treatment?

One of the most surprising things patients realise during Invisalign treatment is just how much commitment and teamwork it takes to achieve the best results. It is not something that is simply done to them. Their consistency, wear time, and attention to detail make a huge difference in how predictably the teeth move.

Many are also surprised by the precision and planning that go into Invisalign. With digital scans and 3D simulations, every tooth movement is designed in advance, often to fractions of a millimetre. It allows us to plan the outcome with remarkable accuracy, but it also means that compliance and follow up are essential to stay on track.

Subtlety seems central to your philosophy. How do you know when to stop refining a smile - when it is perfect enough?

Every cosmetic dentist has their own style and sense of what looks good, but for me, the goal is always subtlety and harmony. I believe a great smile should enhance the patient’s features, making them look like themselves, only better.

Knowing when to stop refining comes down to careful assessment, experience, and, most importantly, communication with the patient. From the very first consultation, I focus on understanding their goals, expectations, and the look they want to achieve, while also explaining what is achievable and sustainable. Through this collaborative approach, we can establish a shared vision for the final result. It is at that point that we know the smile is perfect enough.

Having taught dental students, what insights have you gained about how the next generation is approaching cosmetic dentistry differently?

It is a mixed picture. Cosmetic dentistry can seem glamorous, especially on social media, and many young dentists are eager to get involved as soon as possible. However, I strongly believe in focusing on the fundamentals first: communication, hand-eye coordination, and mastering the basics of dentistry. From there, you can build toward more complex cases. It is a bit like football – all great teams nail the basics regularly and build from there.

At the same time, the wealth of information, courses, and resources available today means many young dentists are picking things up quickly, eager to learn, and showing a lot of enthusiasm. The key is balancing that excitement with solid foundational skills to ensure their cosmetic work is safe, effective, and long lasting.

Dentistry can be life changing emotionally as well as physically. What has been the most powerful transformation you have witnessed in a patient’s confidence?

What I love most is the shift in body language from that first consultation, when someone sits a little closed off or hides their smile, to the final review where their whole face lights up. You see it in the way they talk and their posture, it is what really makes this work so rewarding.

I do recall one patient who came in saying he wanted to feel more confident smiling, especially when meeting new people. A few months later, he told me he had been on more dates in six weeks than in the last six years. I joked that I should probably start charging commission. Moments like that remind me that dentistry is not just about teeth, it is about helping people feel comfortable in their own skin again.

Social media influences how people think about their smiles. How do you navigate trend-driven requests while staying true to natural, timeless results?

People often come in with photos of smiles they have seen online and say, 'I want that'. Having inspiration is actually a great starting point because it helps us understand what they like and gives us a visual goal to discuss.

But social media does not always tell the full story. What you see online is often the end result without the context or compromises that may have been made for speed or cost. My role is to help patients separate what is achievable safely and ethically from what is simply fast.

I always try to bring the conversation back to long-term health, function, and individuality. For example, if someone wants composite bonding straight away but has crowding, I will explain how aligning the teeth first with Invisalign can actually give them a longer lasting result. A smile that is healthy and fresh will always be timeless.

You have trained under some of the world’s most respected names. What is one principle or lesson from a mentor that still shapes your work every day?

Treat the person, not just the teeth. Dentistry is not only about changing smiles – it is about understanding people. Before you can design a smile, you have to understand why someone wants that change, what it means to them, how they feel about their appearance, and what confidence looks like in their world.

For me, the most important part of any cosmetic journey is really getting to know my patients, what is important to them, what their end goal is, and what is motivating them to take this step. When you take the time to listen, you can tailor treatment that is truly bespoke, not just clinically but emotionally. It also creates a space where patients feel heard and understood, and that is where trust and rapport grow. When treatment aligns with someone’s personality and aspirations, that is when dentistry becomes genuinely life changing.

If you could debunk one myth about cosmetic dentistry for good, what would it be, and what is the truth instead?

Myth: Ceramic veneers always require extensive shaving down of teeth to little stumps.

Truth: Modern ceramic veneers can often be done with very minimal or even no tooth preparation. This means we can enhance the smile dramatically while conserving as much natural tooth structure as possible. When planned carefully, veneers can give a long-lasting, natural looking result that preserves the health and strength of the teeth, allowing patients to enjoy their smile for many years without unnecessary compromise.

At The Harley Street Smile Clinic, Dr Jinesh Thakrar continues to redefine what modern cosmetic dentistry can achieve, artistry underpinned by science, precision guided by empathy. His approach is calm, thoughtful, and tailored, reflecting a belief that the most beautiful smiles are those that feel entirely one’s own.

To learn more or book a consultation, visit harleystreetsmileclinic.co.uk