Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in London

Choose our oral surgery treatment and benefit from:

• Highly skilled and specialist oral surgeon (24+ years experience)
• Sedation options
• Experts in helping nervous patients
• Long established practice in North London since 1979
• Less than a minute’s walk from Hampstead Underground Station
• Rated 5* via patients on Google Business

What is oral surgery?

Oral Surgery involves the diagnosis, management and sometimes surgical or medical treatment of conditions of the mouth and the adjacent and surrounding structures. Oral Surgery is closely related to Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery/Medicine.

Oral surgery treatments explained:

• Removal of impacted wisdom teeth

  Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed. However, in some cases, the arrival of these teeth can cause serious problems, resulting in pain, swelling, or infection. Read more about wisdom teeth removal or the costs of wisdom teeth removal.

• Root canal surgery

  Developing an infection in an inner tooth can be extremely painful. Fortunately, for the highly skilled endodontics team at Dental Perfection, root canal surgery is an everyday, routine procedure. Read more about root canal surgery.

• Complex extractions

  Whilst removing a tooth may seem like a simple process, certain issues can make the procedure more complicated. This means the extraction procedure may need to be altered. Read more about tooth extractions.

• Removal of buried roots

  If you were to have your tooth extracted by an oral surgeon, the root would be surgically removed with the rest of the tooth. However, if you were to lose a tooth through trauma or decay, it is possible that the roots may be left behind.

  When a root is retained by the jawbone and gums without the crown present, it can cause a wide range of problems. Mouth infections and severe pain are extremely common and this is why the surgical removal of these buried roots is necessary.

  Whilst some retained roots will only require a simple, straightforward extraction under local anaesthetic, others may require lengthier oral surgery procedures.

  In particularly difficult retained root extractions, it is possible that a small section of the gum or jawbone may need to be removed in order to retrieve the root. For these procedures, your oral surgeon will use a general anaesthetic, so you won’t feel a thing.

• Cysts of the jaw

  Jaw cysts are little sack-like pouches that form in the tissues of the jaw and fill with fluid. They are generally benign, tend to grow very slowly, and do not present any noticeable symptoms.

  They can arise from infections or trauma and are most common in adults. Depending on the location, type and size of the cyst, your oral and maxillofacial surgeon may want to remove the cyst to let your jaw tissues repair themselves and to prevent another cyst from forming.

  If a cyst is aggressive and growing, you may need to consider maxillofacial surgery.

• Biopsy/removal of lesions of the mouth

  Sores on the tongue, lips, inner cheek and mouth are most often caused by minor viral infections or injuries. Whilst they can sometimes be painful or embarrassing when visible, they rarely require immediate medical attention.

  However, in some cases, oral lesions can be a symptom of mouth cancer, so it is possible you may be sent for a biopsy. If you have particularly painful or recurrent lesions in or around your mouth, your dentist may recommend a biopsy by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

  This is a simple process whereby a small tissue sample of the lesion will be removed then sent away to a laboratory for testing. This will be carried out under local anesthesia.

  Once the results are back, your oral surgeon will call you back into the office where you may decide to have the lesion removed entirely.

• Mouth ulcers

  Ulcers in the mouth are one of the most common oral conditions we see and, more often than not, they usually clear up on their own within a week or two. Although they are mostly harmless, it is always worthwhile speaking to your oral and maxillofacial surgeon about the possible causes of your mouth ulcers.

  If a mouth ulcer keeps coming back, it may be due to certain vitamin deficiencies, immune conditions, infections, or a syndrome.

  It is likely that your oral surgeon will suggest a blood test to diagnose the cause, which they may then be able to treat. When an ulcer becomes more painful and red, it can be a sign of an infection, so make sure you visit your dentist or GP as soon as possible.

  However, if you have had a mouth ulcer for more than three weeks, it is essential that you visit your Oral Surgeon urgently. Whilst most mouth ulcers are nothing to worry about, a long-lasting ulcer can be a sign of mouth cancer, so it is always best to get it checked early.

• Dry mouth

  Dehydration and stress are common causes of temporary mouth dryness but, if it persists, it is possible you may have xerostomia.

  This can cause extreme difficulty when eating, causing problems with tasting, chewing and swallowing. Dry mouth can be a side effect of certain medications, especially heart, blood pressure, and depression pills.

  A dry mouth also creates the ideal conditions for tooth decay, since there is no barrier to keep acids and bacteria at bay. You must make sure you visit your oral surgeon if you have this condition, as you’re at much higher risk of developing tooth decay or gum disease.

• Excess saliva

  Whilst some foods may make your mouth water, excess saliva can be problem that is difficult to live with.

  Many assume excess saliva is caused by overproduction however it could be down to a wide range of other issues such as acid reflux, side effects of medication, infection or inflammation in the gums, badly-fitting dentures, or even a sinus infection.

  If excess saliva persists, it is always wise to visit your oral surgeon for consultation.

• Burning mouth syndrome

  BMS, or burning mouth syndrome, is a condition described by some patients as feeling like their mouth has been scalded, however other symptoms include a constant bitter taste or a generally sore mouth.

  More common in women than men, this condition can cause extreme discomfort so it is important that you contact your dentist if you believe you may be experiencing BMS. Whilst a diagnosis cannot be reached through laboratory tests, your oral surgeon may recommend a blood test to find the potential cause.

  Many other conditions have been said to contribute to BMS, such as nutritional deficiencies, menopause, dry mouth, diabetes, fungal infections, acid reflux and even depression and anxiety. Treatment for burning mouth syndrome may include a combination of medication, nutritional supplements, diet modifications and rehydration.

• Red and white patches in the mouth (Oral lichen planus)

  Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition that can affect many different areas of the body, including your skin and oral cavity; presenting as white lacy patterns, a mixture of red and white patches on the inside of the cheeks, or open sores.

  The lesions of oral lichen planus may cause sensitivity to certain foods or brushing, tenderness or burning sensations, or pain. If you believe you may have this condition, it is extremely important that you obtain a correct diagnosis.

  This is something your oral surgeon can help you with, as they will be able to carry out a small biopsy to confirm the condition. Whilst we know it is non-infectious, the actual cause of this issue is currently unknown.

  It is said that oral lichen planus affects around one to two per cent of the population around the world. In most cases, oral lichen planus cannot be cured, however it has been known to go away on its own.

  In some cases, oral lichen planus can persist for a number of years. If you are experiencing pain as a result of the lesions, this can be treated using topical ointments, steroids, and other drugs.

• Orofacial pain

  This is a general term referring to any kind of pain felt in the mouth, jaws and the face. A common symptom of other conditions or illnesses, an estimated 95% or orofacial pain comes as a result of dental causes.

  Because of this, orofacial pain is a key concern for maxillofacial and oral surgeons.

Extra help about oral surgery

• Our Oral Surgeon
• Wisdom Teeth Removal
• Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost
• Tooth Extractions