Oral Surgeon

25 October 2011

Oral Surgeon: What They Do and When You Might Need One

Most dental procedures can be carried out by a general dentist. However, there are some cases which require more surgical intervention, hence requiring an oral surgeon. In case you have been recommended to visit one, or you are experiencing a condition such as an impacted wisdom tooth or a tooth that cannot be extracted easily, it would be useful to have an idea of what an oral surgeon does and how they will treat you.

At Pearl Dental Clinic, we have a Registered Specialist Oral Surgeon on our team.

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What Is an Oral Surgeon?

An oral surgeon is a dental specialist who continues to train further into surgery within the oral cavity and facial area. The oral surgeon can treat conditions that require attention beyond the scope of another dentist.

In the UK, oral surgeons can register with the General Dental Council (GDC) as a specialist, which means they’ve met the additional training and experience requirements recognised by the GDC. It takes years of extra study, clinical training, and examination to get there.

What Does an Oral Surgeon Do?

Oral surgeons carry out a wide range of procedures. Here are some of the treatments available at Pearl Dental Clinic:

Complex Tooth Extraction

Fractured, displaced, and impacted teeth are difficult to extract through the conventional process of tooth extraction. For instance, teeth that have become impacted in proximity to nerves within the jawbone can only be extracted by a specialist.

Cyst Enucleation Surgery

Dental cysts can develop quietly in the jaw and damage surrounding bone if left untreated. Cyst enucleation involves surgically removing the cyst along with its lining to prevent it from returning.

Apicectomy Microsurgery (including Premolar/Molar Apicectomy)

When infection persists at the tip of a tooth’s root after root canal treatment, an apicectomy removes the root end and infected tissue to save the tooth. At Pearl Dental Clinic, these procedures are carried out by our specialist oral surgeon using magnification, including more complex premolar and molar cases.

Minor Oral Surgery

This refers to minor procedures like mucocele excision or biopsy of the gums. Should there be something abnormal found in your mouth during a dental checkup, the doctor may order a biopsy to determine its nature.

Meet Our Specialist Oral Surgeon

Our oral surgeon at Pearl Dental Clinic is Dr Lorenzo Bonifazi.

Dr Lorenzo holds a degree from the University of Bologna in Italy and also holds a postgraduate qualification in Oral Surgery and Implantology from the same institution. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Implantology and Bone Reconstructive Surgery, tutors clinical courses at a university, and has published over 25 articles in the field of science.

Dr Lorenzo is registered under the General Dental Council as a Specialist Oral Surgeon.

What Happens at an Oral Surgery Consultation?

If you need to see our oral surgeon, here’s roughly how it works:

Assessment – Dr Lorenzo will examine the area, review any X-rays or 3D scans (CBCT), and talk through what’s going on with your tooth or jaw.
Treatment plan – He’ll explain what the procedure involves, how long it takes, what the recovery looks like, and answer any questions you have.
The procedure – All oral surgery is carried out under local anaesthetic so you won’t feel pain during treatment. If you’re nervous about the procedure, sedation is also available to help you feel relaxed.
Aftercare – You’ll be given clear aftercare instructions and we’re here to support throughout your recovery.

Referrals From Other Dentists

Dr Lorenzo accepts referrals from dentists at Pearl Dental Clinic so if you come in for an Emergency Appointment and you are referred to a specialist, that can be done internally. He also accepts referrals from dentists working at other practices.

If you’re a dentist looking to refer a patient for a surgical procedure, you can do so through our referral page. Patients can also book a consultation directly.

Book Your Oral Surgery Consultation

If you’ve been told you need oral surgery, or you’re dealing with a difficult tooth, jaw pain, or a dental issue that needs specialist attention, our team is here to help. At Pearl Dental Clinic, our GDC-registered specialist oral surgeon Dr Lorenzo Bonifazi has the training and experience to manage a wide range of surgical procedures in a comfortable and supportive environment.

We invite you to explore our patient reviews online and see why patients have trusted Pearl Dental Clinic with their care since 2007.

To get started, call us on 0208 547 9997, send us a WhatsApp message, or book your consultation online at a time that suits you.

Call us today on 020 8547 9997

Whatever you need, our friendly team is looking forward to hearing from you.

Simply get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

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