“I am a Specialist Oral Surgeon with over 10 years of experience in this field.”
—Dr Maria Devine
What Is Oral Surgery?
Oral Surgery is a branch of dentistry which encompasses all surgical procedures performed on your teeth, gums, jaws, soft tissues of the mouth or other oral and facial structures.
Dentists complete many years of postgraduate training in order to specialise in Oral Surgery and are recognised by the General Dental Council on the Oral Surgery Specialist List.
The majority of Oral Surgery procedures can be carried out comfortably and safely under local anaesthesia (numbing injections). In some cases, intravenous sedation can be offered to facilitate treatment for anxious patients, and more complex surgery may be carried out under general anaesthesia.
There are several types of oral surgery procedures performed by an Oral Surgeon. Common procedures carried out by Oral Surgeons include everything from removal of decayed or broken down teeth and roots, impacted wisdom teeth, surgical exposure of teeth that have failed to erupt naturally, removal of cysts and benign soft tissue lesions in the mouth, placement of dental implants and consultation and management of chronic facial pain and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD).
One of the most common procedures carried out by Oral Surgeons is the assessment and removal of impacted wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth can cause problems when there is insufficient space for them to erupt fully into the mouth such as recurrent infections, pain, damage to the adjacent tooth and gums and formation of cysts. Some wisdom teeth can lie in close proximity to an important nerve in the lower jaw which gives sensation to the lower lip, chin, teeth and gums. In such cases a small CT scan may be required to aid planning of the surgery and the procedure can be modified to reduce the risk of damage to the nerve.
Oral Surgeons can perform a number of procedures to help with orthodontic treatment such as surgical exposure of teeth which have failed to erupt naturally, enabling them to be aligned with braces.
I offer a range of innovative and safe oral surgery treatments using the latest techniques, advanced equipment and modern materials.
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Will my surgery be painful?
All Oral Surgery procedures are carried out with local anaesthesia (numbing injections) and sometimes with sedation. Use of local anaesthetic gel and a careful technique minimises any discomfort of the injections. Once the area is numb the procedure will be pain-free.
Will it be painful afterwards?
Everyone is different but you will likely experience mild to moderate pain and discomfort depending on the complexity of the procedure. Pain after Oral Surgery can be managed well with simple painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol. Pain is likely to last for a few days up to 2 weeks depending on the Surgery. You will be advised on what to expect following your procedure.
Do I need to take time off work?
It is likely that you may experience some pain, discomfort, swelling and bruising following your surgery and this may be visible to others. Swelling usually peaks after 3 days then gradually reduces over several days. It is recommended to take at least the day of your surgery and the following day off work, particularly if you have been treated under sedation.
What can I eat after my surgery?
A liquid/pureed diet is recommended for the first few days. Hot foods and drinks should be avoided for the first 24 hours. Foods such as soups, smoothies and ice cream are ideal. As pain and swelling improves you can move onto soft foods such as mashed potato, pasta, fish and soft vegetables. Avoid any foods with small pieces such as seeds and grains.
Can I exercise after my surgery?
Strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least 48 hours as this may cause bleeding and increased pain. As you recover you can begin gentle exercise and work up to your normal routines.
Are there any alternatives?
Wisdom tooth removal is planned very carefully using 3D scans where required to check the position of the inferior dental nerve. If a close relationship is observed alternative procedures can be offered in some cases. If you are worried about the risk of nerve injury following wisdom tooth removal you should discuss it further with your surgeon.