Oral Surgery

Oral surgery is any medical procedure performed on the mouth, focusing on the teeth, gums and jaw. It is most often used for more involved extractions and to place implants, but we can use oral surgery to resolve any complex issues.

We understand you may feel worried about the prospect of oral surgery, and take the time to make you feel more relaxed and at ease in our practice. For especially nervous patients, we offer IV sedation to help you access the dental care you need.

Why might I need oral surgery?

Complex Extractions

If your tooth has suffered trauma or extensive decay, or is proving to be a barrier to orthodontic treatment, it may need to be extracted. Removing teeth can be very straightforward, able to be loosened easily and not require surgery, but some cases are more complex.

A surgical extraction is needed if your tooth is a little more difficult to remove. It may have broken off or still be hidden under the gum, requiring more complex treatment. We use local anaesthetic to minimise any discomfort before making a small incision in your gum to carefully and effectively extract your tooth. We may need to remove larger teeth in parts, but will keep you informed before and during your treatment.

Wisdom Tooth Removal

If your wisdom tooth has become impacted due to lack of space or is growing in the wrong direction, it will need to be removed to avoid decay, infection and pain from developing. Indeed, wisdom tooth removal is one of the most common oral surgical procedures performed.

We use local anaesthetic and ensure you are comfortable before beginning the surgery. We carefully loosen your tooth, and often need to make a cut in your gum to access and remove the whole wisdom tooth safely. As they are usually quite large, we may need to cut your tooth and remove it in parts. Once your wisdom tooth is removed, we put your gum back into place using dissolvable stitches.

Crown Lengthening

If too much gum shows when you smile, making your teeth seem short, crown lengthening can give you the full smile you deserve. The oral surgery procedure involves removing excess gum tissue, and sometimes bone, from around your upper teeth. The remaining gum is then stitched together to create your new improved smile.

Crown lengthening can also be used to increase the space available on your tooth, making it much easier to fit a dental crown. It is a fairly simple oral surgical technique, taking around an hour to complete. The reduced gum also has the added benefit of helping you keep your teeth and gums healthier, lowering the risk of decay.

Frequently Asked Questions