Oral Surgery

Wisdom teeth are the third in the row of molar teeth to erupt into the mouth and there are usually four of them (two upper and two lower) but this varies through the population. They typically begin to come through during late teens to early twenties but occasionally may not pose problems until later in life.

Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed but unfortunately in many cases when wisdom teeth erupt they can become stuck, or ‘impacted’, onto adjacent teeth or bone. This can make the gum pocket around the teeth sore or infected, a painful condition known as pericoronitis.

Other common problems caused by impacted wisdom teeth include:

• Food trapping
• Decay or resorption (destruction) of the wisdom tooth or adjacent tooth
• Plaque accumulation causing gum disease/decay/bad breath
• Cyst formation
• Disruption to orthodontic treatment/crowding of teeth
• Cheek biting, causing soreness or ulcers

All dentists can remove wisdom teeth, but you may need to be referred to dentists who have extensive experience in this area. Dental extractions that are carried out skilfully, carefully and quickly result in less pain, fewer complications and a faster recovery.

Occasionally, changes in the colour and texture of the oral tissues can indicate a sign of disease. It may be appropriate to arrange further investigations or carry out a simple biopsy of the oral tissues. A small tissue sample is surgically removed usually under local anaesthetic and then small stitches are placed. The biopsy allows your surgeon to reach a clear diagnosis and be able to manage any problems accordingly.

If you are planning to undergo orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist may require you to have teeth extracted, or to surgically uncover unerupted or impacted teeth so they can be pulled into the mouth with braces.

Yes we do. Dental implants are a fantastic option to replace missing teeth and you may be referred by your dentist for the surgical procedures to place the implants. Sometimes gum and bone grafting may be required to make your implant more stable and appear more natural. Your referring dentist or dental specialist will then restore the implants with crowns after they have been placed by your surgeon. Thorough treatment planning and close co-operation between your dentist and your surgeon throughout the process are critical to achieving the best outcome.

You can choose whether you would like to have the treatment carried out in our clinic awake in the chair, or if you would prefer to be asleep at a local private hospital or day surgery.

Your surgeon will always ensure you are appropriately numbed prior to commencing any work. This can be achieved with:

• A local anaesthetic (in the chair) – your mouth is numbed so you are pain free during the procedure.
• A local anaesthetic, with oral sedation – you can be given medications to take before the procedure to make you feel relaxed prior to also having your mouth numbed.
• Under a general anaesthetic (asleep) – this is carried out at a local day surgery or private hospital.

Your surgical team will discuss these options at the initial consultation to best suit your needs.

All surgical procedures carry risks and all the relevant risks will be carefully explained by your surgeon at your initial consultation. After surgery you can expect soreness and swelling for 5-7 days afterward and should plan time off work or your normal duties. The surgical team will provide you with detailed post-operative care instructions. We always make sure you have someone to call if you need any advice in the days and weeks afterwards, so you will never be on your own.

It is important that you disclose all medications and drugs you are taking to your surgeon at your initial consultation. If these medications are likely to affect the surgical procedure or healing (e.g. blood thinners or bisphosphonates for osteoporosis), your surgeon will advise you of the best course of action. Sometimes we may need to speak to your doctor to ensure treatment is carried out in the safest possible way. Never stop taking a prescribed medication unless you have first consulted your doctor.

Our surgeons aim to offer a cost-effective service for patients whilst still providing high-quality care. Interest-free payment plans are also available to provide payment flexibility and our friendly receptionists can answer any questions you have regarding this.

Privately insured patients may need to pay a ‘gap’ fee. However, if you have private hospital cover and wish to have a general anaesthetic, your stay in hospital is often completely covered in addition to covering most of the anaesthetist’s fees.