Oral Surgeon Specialist

Oral surgery is required to correct severe dental issues or to repair problems with the mouth or jaw and is also known as oral and maxillofacial surgery.

A surgical procedure may be required to remove impacted wisdom teeth, for denture preparation, to repair temporomandibular problems and in some cases to perform root canals.

Horton Dental Practice will refer you to an oral surgeon depending on the extent and nature of your problem to ensure you receive the highest standard of care possible.

We will always discuss a referral with you before it is made and are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

When is an oral surgeon required?

Oral surgeons deal with advanced dental procedures, with surgery required after trauma or when severe disease has damaged the structures of the mouth, jaw or face.

They specialise in the following dental surgeries:

• Removing impacted wisdom teeth: this is necessary when wisdom teeth become trapped (or impacted) between the jawbone and gum. Removal is required to resolve inflammation and infection or to avoid more serious complications
• Dental implants: an oral surgeon may be required in some cases to ensure the successful placement of the titanium screw in the jawbone or to restructure the gum tissue
• Jaw growth inequalities: oral surgery may be required to move all or part of the jaw bone in cases when traditional orthodontic treatment is not considered appropriate. When the upper or lower jaw has not grown correctly, patients can experience difficulty eating, swallowing, speaking and breathing. They may also have severe tooth misalignment. Oral surgery will rectify such problems by moving the jaw into a new position to ensure better function and overall health
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ): here, joint misalignment can cause headaches and facial pain. Although many people with TMJ can be treated with medication, physical therapy and splints, some may require surgery to correct severe or reoccurring misalignment

Oral surgeons may also be recommended for other procedures such as:

• Facial injury repairs: for example, a fractured jaw or broken facial bones
• Biopsies and lesion removal
• Cleft palate and lip repair
• Facial infections and associated teeth extractions
• Sleep apnoea or snoring

At Horton Dental Practice, your health and wellbeing is our priority and we will always discuss the reasons oral surgery is required with you.

Please arrange a consultation with Horton Dental Practice by calling 020 8391 9222 or click here to contact us.