Greenhithe's specialist
orthodontist is in Albany,
about ten minutes away.
Milk Orthodontics' Albany clinic at 6-8 Munroe Lane is about ten minutes from Greenhithe, out along Greenhithe Road and up the Albany Highway, with free patient parking. Specialist orthodontist Dr Shaz MacAvoy plans every case: braces, clear aligners and early treatment for children, teens and adults. The first step is free, and you do not need a referral.
Free first step, no referral needed. Choose Newmarket or Albany and switch at any time.
Reviewed by Dr Shaz MacAvoy, Specialist Orthodontist. Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics), registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
Albany is the closest specialist orthodontist to Greenhithe
6-8 Munroe Lane, Albany
In the heart of Albany, just off the Northern Motorway at the Albany exit, so it is on the way to everything you already drive to.
About ten minutes from Greenhithe
Out along Greenhithe Road and up the Albany Highway, or on to SH18 and around, without joining the Northern Motorway crush or crossing a bridge. Free patient parking at the Wilson carpark on Davies Drive, plus on-street parking nearby. Give your registration to the front desk when you arrive.
Or Newmarket, if you work in town
Our original clinic at 2 Nuffield Street, Newmarket, opposite the train station. Choose whichever suits your week, and switch between the two at any time.
More about the clinic, the team and the hours on our Albany page.
Families we see from
Why Greenhithe families choose a specialist in Albany
Albany is the closest specialist orthodontic practice, about ten minutes away, and you get there without crossing a bridge or sitting in motorway traffic.
Every case is diagnosed and planned by a registered specialist orthodontist with around three extra years of university training, not by a clinician who also offers aligners.
Appointments that fit around Greenhithe School and the Albany and Kristin timetables, with free parking at the door so the school run still works.
LightForce custom 3D-printed braces and Angel Aligners, with real before and after results you can see.
Transparent, all-inclusive fees quoted in writing, family discounts for siblings, and interest-free plans from about $60 a week.
Not sure yet? Send a few photos from your phone and get your options within 2 working days, free.
Specialist care for every age
One practice for the whole family: children's early assessment from around age seven, teens, and adults, with braces, clear aligners and LightForce custom braces all available at Albany. See real before and after results from Auckland patients.
Clear pricing, the same at both clinics
The first step is free: get your options online from your phone, or book a 20 minute Smile Assessment with our Treatment Coordinator at Albany. A New Patient Consultation with Dr Shaz, a written plan and your exact quote is $390.
Fees include records, appliances, every appointment, retainers and aftercare. Full details on our prices page.
What happens at Albany, step by step
Most Greenhithe families come to us with the same two questions: does my child (or do I) actually need treatment, and what would it cost? The first two steps answer both, and neither commits you to anything.
Free Smile Assessment
About 20 minutes with our Treatment Coordinator at Albany, or from your phone online. We look at the teeth and bite, talk through what you have noticed and what you would like to change, and give you an honest steer on whether treatment is needed now, later, or not at all. No referral, no obligation.
New Patient Consultation with Dr Shaz
If treatment looks worthwhile, the $390 specialist consultation takes the records: photographs, a panoramic and side-profile x-ray, and a 3D scan of the teeth. Dr Shaz examines how the teeth, jaws and face fit together and diagnoses what is actually going on, rather than what is visible at the front.
Your written plan and exact quote
You receive a written treatment plan with your options, the appliance we recommend and why, the expected timeframe, and one all-inclusive fee that covers records, appliances, every appointment, retainers and aftercare. Interest-free plans are set up at this stage if you want one.
Treatment and reviews
Braces or aligners are fitted at Albany, then reviews run every six to ten weeks for the 12 to 24 months most treatments take. Each review is short, so it fits around school and work. Retainers are fitted at the end and checked afterwards, and both are included in the fee.
The options we offer Greenhithe families
Every appliance we use is chosen for the result it will give you, not for its brand. Dr Shaz explains the trade-offs of each at the consultation and recommends the one that fits your teeth, your age and your life.
Braces
Classic metal braces are still the most versatile tool for crowding, gaps and bite correction, and the reliable choice for teenagers because there is nothing to remember. Clear ceramic braces work the same way and are much harder to spot. LightForce custom braces are 3D-printed to each tooth, which typically means fewer adjustments and a more predictable finish.
Clear aligners
A series of clear, removable trays, planned by the specialist and changed at home every one to two weeks. We plan aligner treatment with Angel Aligners, worn about 22 hours a day, with reviews at Albany every six to ten weeks. Aligners suit motivated teens and most adults, and we will say honestly when braces would do a better job.
Children's early treatment
Around age seven, a short first phase with a plate, an expander or a few braces can guide jaw growth, make room for adult teeth and correct a crossbite while a child is still growing. Phase 1 on its own starts from $4,500, and most children who need it go on to a shorter, simpler second phase in their teens. More on children's treatment.
Not sure which suits? The braces vs clear aligners page gives a straight comparison, and our before and after results show what each can do.
What the free Smile Assessment actually covers
It is 20 minutes with our Treatment Coordinator, and the point of it is to give you a straight answer before you spend anything. Here is exactly what happens in that appointment.
What we look at
How the teeth are aligned, how much crowding or spacing there is, how the top and bottom teeth meet, and whether anything is wearing or sitting where it should not. For a child we also check which adult teeth are through and which are still to come.
What you tell us
What you have noticed, what bothers you, and what you would want changed. This matters more than people expect: two people with the same teeth often want quite different things, and the plan should follow what you actually care about.
What you walk out with
An honest view on whether treatment is worth doing, which approaches would suit, roughly how long it would take, and a cost guide from our published all-inclusive fees. Nothing is charged and nothing is committed to.
If the answer is "not yet"
Often it is, particularly for children around seven or eight. We will say so plainly and tell you when to come back, usually in a year or two. That review is free as well. We would rather see you three times for nothing than start treatment a year too early.
The assessment is with our Treatment Coordinator, not Dr Shaz. Diagnosis needs records, so if you decide to go further the next step is the $390 New Patient Consultation, where Dr Shaz takes x-rays and a 3D scan and writes the plan. If you would rather not come in yet, the online Smile Assessment covers the same ground from photos on your phone, with a reply in two working days.
Greenhithe questions, answered honestly
Is there a specialist orthodontist near Greenhithe?
Yes. Milk Orthodontics' Albany clinic at 6-8 Munroe Lane is about ten minutes from Greenhithe, led by specialist orthodontist Dr Shaz MacAvoy. Every case is diagnosed and planned by a registered specialist, and no referral is needed.
How do we get to Albany from Greenhithe?
Out along Greenhithe Road and up the Albany Highway, or on to SH18 and around. It is about ten minutes, with no bridge crossing and without joining the Northern Motorway at peak.
Is there parking at the Albany clinic?
Yes. Free patient parking at the Wilson carpark on Davies Drive, and on-street parking on Davies Drive and the surrounding streets. Give your registration number to the front desk team when you arrive.
When should my child first see an orthodontist?
Around age seven, when the first adult teeth are through. Most children need nothing done yet, but it is the best time to catch the few problems that are simpler to guide early. The first check is a free Smile Assessment.
Is the free Smile Assessment with the orthodontist?
It is with our Treatment Coordinator, who works alongside Dr Shaz every day. It is 20 minutes, it is free, and you leave with an honest view of your options and a cost guide. Diagnosis needs x-rays and a scan, so that happens at the $390 New Patient Consultation with Dr Shaz if you choose to go further.
How much do braces or clear aligners cost?
Simple cosmetic treatment from $7,900 and comprehensive specialist treatment from $9,900, most cases around $10,400, all-inclusive of records, appliances, appointments, retainers and aftercare. Interest-free plans work out around $60 to $76 a week, with $500 off if paid in full and family discounts for siblings.
Do I need a referral from my dentist?
No. You can book directly with Milk at Albany, or start with the free online Smile Assessment from your phone. We keep your dentist in the loop if you have one.
How long does treatment take, and how many visits are there?
Most comprehensive treatment takes 12 to 24 months, with a short review every six to ten weeks, which is usually eight to fourteen visits in total. Simple cosmetic cases can be quicker, and children's early treatment is typically 9 to 12 months. Because Albany is close by, most Greenhithe families fit reviews around school or work rather than taking a day off.
What does the free online Smile Assessment involve?
You answer a few questions about what bothers you and what you would like to change, then add photos of your teeth from your phone, with an example shown for each one. Our Treatment Coordinator reads everything and replies on your own private link within two working days with the treatment options that would suit you and a cost guide. It is free, private, and you can then book at Albany or Newmarket if you want to go further.
Specialist orthodontics, ten minutes from Greenhithe
Book a free Smile Assessment at Albany, or send us a few photos from your phone and our Treatment Coordinator replies within 2 working days with your options and a cost guide.