Dr Maliha Siddiqui — General Dentist at Smile Solutions Melbourne

Quick Facts

About Dr Maliha Siddiqui

Dr Maliha Siddiqui — known warmly as Mal within the Smile Solutions team — is a graduate of the University of Melbourne's Bachelor of Dental Science programme, which she completed with Honours in 2012. She joined Smile Solutions directly after graduating, beginning her professional journey within one of Australia's most distinguished dental environments.

Mal is widely regarded for her attentive and gentle clinical manner. Patients who feel anxious or uncertain about dental treatment often find her calm, thorough approach particularly reassuring. She combines up-to-date clinical knowledge with a sincere commitment to listening to her patients — understanding their concerns, their dental history, and their goals before charting a course of care.

Clinical Philosophy: Minimally Invasive and Holistic

At the heart of Mal's approach is a commitment to minimally invasive dentistry. This philosophy holds that the best dental treatment is that which achieves the clinical goal while preserving as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. Rather than defaulting to aggressive intervention, minimally invasive dentistry employs careful diagnosis, preventative strategies and precision techniques to achieve excellent outcomes with the smallest possible footprint on the patient's natural dentition.

Mal also works holistically with her specialist colleagues as part of Smile Solutions' interdisciplinary team. This collaborative model ensures that complex cases benefit from multiple clinical perspectives — and that every treatment plan is designed not just for the immediate problem, but for the patient's long-term oral health.

Expertise and Clinical Interests

Restorative Dentistry and CEREC Technology

Mal has developed a keen interest in all types of restorative dentistry. Her particular focus is the use of state-of-the-art CAD/CAM CEREC technology — a digital dental system that enables complex ceramic restorations to be designed, milled and fitted in a single appointment. The CEREC system can produce crowns, inlays, onlays and implant restorations with remarkable precision and aesthetic fidelity, eliminating the need for multiple appointments and temporary restorations.

Mal's facility with this technology makes her an excellent choice for patients who need restorative work done efficiently, without sacrificing quality or aesthetics.

Implant Restorations

In addition to conventional restorative work, Mal has developed expertise in implant restorations using CAD/CAM technology. Dental implants provide a permanent foundation for replacement teeth, and the quality of the crown or restoration placed on the implant is critical to achieving a natural, durable result. Mal's work in this area brings together her restorative skills and her facility with digital dental technology.

Aesthetic Dentistry

Mal also has a genuine penchant for aesthetic dental work. She enjoys working collaboratively with patients to understand their aesthetic aspirations — and to help them achieve a smile they feel confident about. Her before-and-after gallery reflects a consistent ability to deliver beautiful, natural-looking porcelain veneer results.

Tooth Grinding and Night-Time Clenching

Mal has written about night-time tooth grinding and clenching (bruxism) — a common condition that many patients are unaware they suffer from. Left untreated, bruxism can cause significant tooth wear, jaw pain and restorative failure. Mal's understanding of this condition informs her approach to comprehensive dental assessment and treatment planning.

Dental Fillings and Longevity

Mal has also written educational content on the longevity of dental fillings — a practical topic that helps patients understand what to expect from different types of restorations, and when replacement may be needed. Her written work on chipped teeth addresses the question many patients wonder about: whether a chip always needs treatment, and what the options are.

Why Choose Dr Maliha Siddiqui?

• Gentle and attentive: Mal is known for her calm, caring approach — particularly well-suited to patients who experience dental anxiety
• Honours graduate: BDSc with Honours from the University of Melbourne, demonstrating exceptional academic achievement
• Minimally invasive philosophy: Committed to preserving natural tooth structure wherever possible
• CEREC expertise: Skilled in using CAD/CAM technology for same-day ceramic restorations and implant crowns
• Collaborative care: Works within Smile Solutions' interdisciplinary team, coordinating with on-site specialists for complex cases
• Aesthetic eye: Passionate about helping patients achieve their ideal smile through porcelain veneers and aesthetic dental work
• Evidence-based practice: Up-to-date clinical knowledge applied through a considered, evidence-informed approach

The Smile Solutions Difference

Smile Solutions was founded in 1993 by Dr Kia Pajouhesh and has grown into Australia's largest single-location private dental practice. Located in the iconic Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD, Smile Solutions houses more than 50 dental practitioners — general dentists, specialists, dental hygienists and therapists — all working together under one roof.

For Dr Siddiqui, this environment is central to how she delivers care. Working holistically with specialist colleagues — as she explicitly values — is only possible in a setting where those specialists are immediately accessible. Whether a patient needs a referral to a periodontist, oral surgeon, orthodontist or endodontist, that referral happens within the same building, enabling seamless, coordinated, and efficient care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dr Maliha Siddiqui?

Dr Maliha Siddiqui (known as Mal) is a general dentist at Smile Solutions in Melbourne CBD. She graduated with Honours in Bachelor of Dental Science from the University of Melbourne in 2012. Her AHPRA registration number is DEN0001785009.

What does Dr Maliha Siddiqui specialise in?

Dr Siddiqui has particular interest in minimally invasive dentistry, restorative dentistry using CEREC CAD/CAM technology, implant restorations, and aesthetic dental work including porcelain veneers.

What is minimally invasive dentistry?

Minimally invasive dentistry is a clinical philosophy that prioritises preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible when performing dental treatment. It typically involves careful early diagnosis, preventative strategies, and precision restorative techniques. The goal is to achieve excellent clinical outcomes while minimising removal of healthy tooth tissue.

Does Dr Siddiqui treat patients with dental anxiety?

Yes. Mal is known for her gentle, attentive approach and is particularly well-regarded by patients who feel nervous or anxious about dental treatment. She takes time to listen and explain, ensuring patients feel comfortable and informed before proceeding.

What is CEREC and what can it do?

CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) is a digital dentistry system that allows ceramic restorations — including crowns, inlays, onlays and implant crowns — to be designed, milled and fitted in a single appointment. Dr Siddiqui uses this technology to provide high-quality, aesthetically excellent restorations without the delays and inconvenience of traditional multi-appointment workflows.

Can Dr Siddiqui treat teeth grinding?

Yes. Bruxism (night-time tooth grinding and clenching) is an area Dr Siddiqui has studied and written about. She can assess your teeth for signs of wear, recommend appropriate protective measures such as occlusal splints, and address any restorative work required.

Is Dr Maliha Siddiqui registered with AHPRA?

Yes. Dr Maliha Siddiqui holds AHPRA registration number DEN0001785009 as a Registered Dentist with General Registration.

How do I book an appointment with Dr Maliha Siddiqui?

You can book by calling Smile Solutions on 13 13 96 or via the online booking system at smilesolutions.com.au.

Services Offered

As a general dentist at Smile Solutions, Dr Maliha Siddiqui provides:

• Comprehensive dental examinations and check-ups
• Preventative dentistry — scale and clean, fluoride treatments, oral hygiene advice
• Minimally invasive restorations
• CEREC CAD/CAM same-day ceramic crowns, inlays and onlays
• Implant crown restorations using CAD/CAM technology
• Porcelain veneers and aesthetic smile enhancement
• Bruxism assessment and management — occlusal splints, bite analysis
• Chipped or cracked tooth assessment and repair
• Dental fillings (composite and ceramic)
• X-rays and diagnostic imaging
• Coordination with on-site specialists for complex or multidisciplinary treatment

Patient Results

Dr Siddiqui's patient gallery features before-and-after cases including porcelain veneer transformations. All images are shared with full patient consent and displayed without digital filters or alterations — in keeping with Smile Solutions' commitment to transparent and ethical representation of clinical outcomes.

Articles by Dr Maliha Siddiqui

Dr Siddiqui has contributed patient education articles to the Smile Solutions knowledge base, including:

• Night Time Tooth Grinding/Clenching — an overview of bruxism, its effects and management options
• How Long Do Dental Fillings Last? — a practical guide to restoration longevity
• Do I Have to Get a Chipped Tooth Fixed? — helping patients understand their options when a tooth chips

Book an Appointment

Smile Solutions Level 10, Manchester Unity Building 220 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Phone: 13 13 96 Website: smilesolutions.com.au

Smile Solutions is open Monday to Saturday. Appointments with Dr Maliha Siddiqui can be made by phone or via the online booking portal.

Smile Solutions — Australia's largest single-location private dental practice, founded 1993 by Dr Kia Pajouhesh.