21 Avenue Dental Clinic, Naxxar

Toothache on holiday is miserable, and a lost filling or cracked crown can spoil a week away. 21 Avenue Dental Clinic in Naxxar is a long established family practice that sees local patients, expatriates and visitors, and it keeps dedicated emergency slots for exactly those moments. The practice has been on the same street since 1982 and was taken over in 2017 by two senior dentists who have since grown it into a team of several dentists and a hygienist working under one roof. It is listed in our directory of dentists in Malta.

The ethos is simple: listen first, explain clearly, and keep patients comfortable, whether they are in for a quick check or a full smile makeover.

Everyday and emergency dentistry

Most visits start with an examination or consultation, in which the dentist looks at the teeth, gums and surrounding structures and then talks through a treatment plan. Routine options include a check-up on its own, which takes around 15 minutes, a scale and polish, or the two combined in a 30 minute slot. Fillings and other restorative work are handled in house, and first time patients can book a combined filling and check-up.

For holidaymakers the most useful thing to know is that the online diary has a separate category for emergency appointments. That makes it easier to be seen quickly if a tooth flares up mid trip. Bring any details of recent treatment from your UK dentist, along with a list of medicines you take. If you also need a prescription filled afterwards, our list of pharmacies in Malta shows options across the island.

Children and nervous patients

Families are well catered for. Paediatric care covers prevention and diet advice, fluoride varnish, fissure sealants and fillings for young teeth, and one of the dentists has a particular way with children. Parents who are relocating with school age children may find the practice a practical choice for long term care, and our Malta relocation guide covers the wider move, from schools to residency. For specialist medical care for youngsters, see the paediatric clinics in Malta that we list.

Anyone who dreads the dentist's chair can ask about treatment under inhalation sedation. This uses nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, which helps patients relax while remaining awake, and it is offered specifically to support anxious adults and children through their treatment.

Implants, dentures, crowns and aligners

One of the senior dentists is an oral implantologist, so more complex work is done on site rather than referred out. Surgical care includes extractions, biopsies, bone grafting, sinus lifts and the placement of dental implants. Where teeth are damaged or missing, the practice also makes custom crowns and bridges, and removable dentures in acrylic, chrome cobalt or flexible Valplast, as full or partial sets.

Clear aligners are available for adults and teenagers as a discreet, removable alternative to traditional braces, followed by fixed retainers to hold the result. Treatment of this kind runs over several months, so it suits people living in Malta or those who visit regularly rather than a single short holiday. For other private medical services nearby, our directory of private clinics in Malta is a useful next step.

Cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics

For people who want to improve the look of their smile, the clinic offers professional whitening and veneers in either composite or porcelain. Composite veneers are built up directly on the tooth, while porcelain veneers are made to measure, and the dentist can advise which suits your teeth and budget. Prices are not published, so ask for a quote after your consultation.

The practice also provides Botox, both as a facial aesthetic treatment and as a therapy for jaw pain and TMJ problems linked to clenching or grinding. If you are comparing aesthetic providers more widely, browse the cosmetic clinics in Malta in our directory.

Naxxar and getting there

Naxxar is a traditional town on a ridge in the centre north of Malta, close to Mosta and a short drive inland from the resorts of St Paul's Bay and Sliema. Its large parish church and the gardens of Palazzo Parisio make a pleasant stop if you have time either side of an appointment, and the old capital is not far away, as our Mdina guide explains. For somewhere to base yourself, our guide on where to stay in Malta compares the main areas, and things to do in Malta has ideas for the rest of your stay.

Private dental treatment in Malta is normally paid for directly by the patient, so check your travel insurance before you go, as many policies include a limited amount of emergency dental cover. Keep receipts and treatment notes for any claim and for your own dentist back home.