A Dentist You'll Actually Look Forward To
Genuinely Gentle Care
Dr. Deshpande is known for patients who hadn't been to a dentist in years — her approach is slow, explained, and always on your terms.
One Doctor, Every Visit
You'll see Dr. Deshpande personally at every appointment — not a rotating associate you've never met before.
Hours That Actually Work
Early mornings, evenings, and Saturdays available so dental care fits into your life, not the other way around.
Dr. Sonal Deshpande
Diamond Invisalign Provider
Dr. Deshpande earned her doctorate at the New York University School of Dentistry and has continued her training in dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and children's dentistry. She built this practice around the patients who were most afraid — people who had avoided the dentist for years.
Her approach is to slow down, explain every step, and make patients feel in control. The Diamond Invisalign credential came from years of focused expertise, not from adding it as an afterthought. The practice stays intentionally small so patients are never rushed or handed off.
Dr. Efron
General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry
Dr. Efron has been treating patients for more than twenty years — cosmetic, general, and implant dentistry. He trained at Columbia's School of Dental and Oral Surgery in New York City, completed his externship at Englewood Hospital in NJ, and finished his residency at Mount Sinai. He has spent years treating patients in underserved communities internationally.
Outside of dentistry, Dr. Efron spends time training at the gym, with his two dogs, and traveling with his family.
Get to Know Each of Us
A closer look at the people who'll be at your appointment, from check-in to checkout.
Front Desk Leader
Julio Hernandez
Front Desk
Shaylin Perez
Patient Care
Alondra Perez
Columbia University Graduate
A Few Numbers Worth Knowing
These aren't marketing figures — they're the specific credentials and facts that tell you what kind of practice you're walking into.
What Makes This Practice Different
There are several dental practices within a few miles of Kenilworth. Here's what you'll find here that's harder to come by elsewhere.
Same Doctor, Every Visit
Private practice — you see Dr. Deshpande personally, not a rotating staff. No hand-offs, no surprises.
Anxiety-Free Dentistry
Built for patients who've avoided the dentist. Gentle technique, every step explained, you stay in control.
Evening & Saturday Hours
Appointments that fit your life — not the other way around. Same-week availability.
We Accept Your Insurance
Most major dental plans accepted. Flexible financing for approved patients.
Real Patients, Honest Words
These are the kinds of things patients say when they finally find a dentist they trust — read what people across Kenilworth, Summit, and New Providence are sharing.
“Dr. Deshpande and her team made me feel completely at ease during my Invisalign consultation. I'm three months in and already seeing amazing results. The entire process has been smooth from start to finish.”
“I had been putting off getting a dental implant for years because I was nervous. Turns out the procedure was way easier than I expected. The implant looks and feels exactly like my real tooth. Highly recommend this practice.”
“The Zoom whitening was incredible — my teeth went from yellowed to bright white in about an hour. The staff was so friendly and professional. I've already recommended Brilliant Smiles to all my friends.”
I always tell patients: my job isn't just to fix your teeth — it's to make sure you're never afraid to come back. If you leave here feeling okay about the dentist again, that's the whole point.
Dr. Sonal Deshpande, DDS
Founder, Brilliant Smiles Kenilworth
Dr. Deshpande built her practice around the patients most dentists struggle to keep — the ones who've been avoiding care for years. Her approach isn't a technique or a script. It's a genuine commitment to making every visit feel manageable, whatever that takes.
A Dentist Who's Ready When You Are
Whether you're overdue for a cleaning or have been thinking about Invisalign for years, getting started takes one simple step — and there's no pressure at all.
Your first appointment includes a thorough exam, a conversation about what you're hoping to address, and a clear picture of your options — with no obligation to commit to anything that day. Evening and Saturday appointments are available, and we'll verify your insurance before you arrive so there are no surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the dentist, and what are her qualifications?
Dr. Sonal Deshpande, DDS leads every aspect of care at Brilliant Smiles. She's a Diamond Invisalign Provider — a credential awarded by Align Technology that places her in the top 1% of Invisalign providers in the country — and she has spent years building expertise in both general dentistry and orthodontic cases. What sets her apart isn't just the credentials; it's that she built this practice specifically around patients who were nervous or had avoided the dentist for years.
Is this one of those big corporate dental chains, or will I actually see the same doctor every time?
Brilliant Smiles is a private practice, not a corporate chain — which means you'll see Dr. Deshpande personally at every visit, not a rotating roster of associates. The practice is intentionally small so that patients are never rushed or handed off to someone who doesn't know their history. A lot of patients tell us that's exactly what they were looking for after feeling like a number at larger offices.
I've had really bad experiences at the dentist before. How is this practice different?
Dr. Deshpande built this practice around patients who feel exactly that way — people who had put off care for years because of anxiety or a painful past experience. Her approach is to slow down, explain every step before it happens, and make sure you feel in control at all times. It's not a marketing line; it's the reason the practice exists and the most common thing new patients tell us after their first visit.
How long has Brilliant Smiles been in Kenilworth, and does the practice have a good reputation locally?
Brilliant Smiles has been serving Kenilworth and the surrounding Union County communities — including Summit and New Providence — and has built a reputation as the go-to practice for patients who want gentle, thorough care from a dentist they can actually trust. Patients consistently describe feeling not judged, well-informed, and relieved they finally made the appointment. The Diamond Invisalign credential also reflects years of deep, focused expertise — it's not something added as an afterthought.
What's the general philosophy here — what can I expect from an appointment?
Expect to be treated like a person, not a chart. Dr. Deshpande takes time to explain what she's seeing and what she's doing before she does it, so there are no surprises. Appointments run efficiently — most patients are in and out in under an hour — and the practice offers early morning, evening, and Saturday hours so you're not rearranging your entire week to fit in a cleaning. The goal every visit is that you leave feeling better about coming than you did walking in.
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