Pre-appointment Information

Below are some frequently asked questions that you may find useful.  Please also download and read our pre-appointment information for full details of what to expect from your visit to Oral Surgery Ltd.
Please download and read these files prior to your visit, you do not need to print them as copies of the information and consent form will be made available to you at your appointment.
Pre-appointment Information
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FAQ's
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IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU CONTACT US PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT IF YOU ARE WORRIED OR CONCERNED ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR TREATMENT, PLEASE CALL US ON 0330 122 9382

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why have I been given an appointment with Oral Surgery Ltd?
Some dentists happily perform extractions and surgical procedures. Others prefer for their patients to be managed by experts in the field such as Specialists or those who have extensive training and experience. Our surgeons have been accredited by the General Dental Council or NHS England as having the skills and experience in Oral Surgery beyond that expected from a routine dentist.

Your dentist has referred you through the NHS Minor Oral Surgery route to have treatment carried out by an Oral Surgeon, this is a dentist that has undertaken extensive training in surgical procedures. We have a team of experienced Oral Surgeons providing treatment for patients referred to us, the surgeon that will be looking after you will be specified in your appointment confirmation.
​​Where will I be seen?
Oral Surgery Ltd hires clinical space from a number of dental practices across London and The South Coast of England in order to offer convenience with a choice of locations to our patients. The practices are merely our hosts but have been through a thorough accreditation process. All communications should therefore be with Oral Surgery Ltd rather than the dental practice. You will not be registered as a patient with the dental practice, so they do not have access to any of your records and will therefore be unable to assist you with any queries.
​What should I expect at my appointment?
Our team will endeavor to complete your care during the one appointment. With our experience, there will be ample time to make a full assessment, discuss the treatment options with you and answer all of your questions prior to going ahead and completing the treatment. If you do feel that you would prefer the treatment to be postponed to a subsequent visit, then that is of course your prerogative and we would be happy to accommodate your needs
​What if I need to change or cancel my appointment?
That’s no problem. Please let us know on 03301229382 or by e-mailing info@oralsurgeryltd.comand we’ll re-arrange everything to your convenience. Please do give us at least 24 hours notice though, as this will give an opportunity for another patient to be offered your slot.
Am I going to hospital?
This appointment will not take place in the hospital it will take place at one of our clinic locations which are based within a dental practice. You will be seen by the same type of doctor that you’d expect to see in a hospital, an Oral Surgeon. So you will receive the same level of care, it’s just a way to make treatment more accessible and convenient for the patient.
​Will I be PUT TO SLEEP?
All treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic (an injection inside the mouth, as you’d expect with a normal dental procedure), there is rarely any reason why a general anaesthetic (putting you to sleep) would be necessary for a minor oral surgery procedure and often the risks of this type of anaesthetic far outweighs the need for it in this scenario.  People are often surprised at the ease of this type of procedure, as you are being seen by an oral surgeon you are in exceptionally skilled hands, this is what they do day in day out and they have access to more sophisticated equipment to make the procedure as straightforward and as comfortable as possible.

​If you are very nervous please call us prior to your appointment to discuss the procedure and see how you feel, if you simply feel that treatment under local anaesthetic is not an option we can then make a plan for your care, this could mean needing to re-refer you to hospital for assessment for treatment under sedation or general anaesthetic, please note that hospital waiting lists are very long and you may be waiting several months for an appointment.
In some cases we can provide treatment under sedation, this means putting some medicine into the back of your hand to make you feel a bit more relaxed.  This is only available on the NHS in our Wessex clinics however it can be provided on a private basis in London.
Will I be able to drive afterwards?
Yes, your procedure will be carried out under local anaesthetic (an injection inside the mouth, as you’d expect with a normal dental procedure) therefore you will be fine to drive afterwards.
Do I need to bring someone with me?
No, your procedure will be carried out under local anaesthetic (an injection inside the mouth, as you’d expect with a normal dental procedure) therefore you will be fine to leave unescorted however should you wish to bring someone for company or moral support you are very welcome to do so.
What is the recovery time?
Most people are fine to return to their normal activities straight away however we will ask you to take it easy for the first 48 hours to help the healing process so you will need to avoid strenuous activity during this time.  It is reasonable to expect some minor discomfort for the first few days and this can be managed with over the counter pain medication.
​Should I take time off work?
Depends what you do for a job, if you have a very physical job it would be advisable to take the following day off, also if your job requires face to face interactions or lots of talking then you may wish to have a day off to recover. Most people are fine to return to work quickly but you may just want to see how you feel.
I’m going on holiday soon, will I be okay to fly?
In most cases it is fine to fly a few days after treatment, if you have a large infection or the tooth to be removed is close to your sinus (hollow space behind your cheeks) then it may be necessary to delay flying for a few weeks after treatment to avoid complications.  Please discuss this with your surgeon at your appointment who will be best person to advise you on this.
Will it hurt?
We use fast acting local anaesthetic and will make sure you are fully numb before starting any treatment. You may feel pressure but should not feel any pain during the procedure. When the area comes round after the anaesthetic you may wish to take your usual painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. The area will be sore for a few days after the procedure. This is to be expected.
Will theY need to cut my gum open?
In some cases it is necessary to adopt a surgical approach to remove a tooth or root fragment, if this is the case you will be fully numb and wont feel any pain.  In these situations it may be necessary for us to place some stiches, this will naturally dissolve away over 10-14 days, any residual stiches after this time that are bothering you may be removed either by seeing your own dentist or calling us to arrange an appointment.
Can I eat before my appointment?
Yes. Please continue to eat and drink as normal before your appointment, the last thing we would want is for you to attend your appointment with low blood sugar as this can cause issues with treatment.
Is this appointment just for a consultation or for treatment?
Your dentist has referred you to our care to undergo a specific type of treatment, they have supplied us with all the relevant records, your medical history and copies of appropriate x-rays.  This means that in most cases we are able to carry out the requested treatment at this appointment under local anaesthetic after an assessment by your surgeon, in some cases, however, may be necessary to return for further appointments.
Do I need to stop taking my mediation?
Unless you have been told by your GP or called by us to tell you to stop then you MUST NOT stop taking your medication.
How much will it cost?
Nothing. This treatment is covered under the last course of treatment you had with your dentist. The NHS cover the whole cost of this appointment.
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How long will the treatment take?
We always say to allow yourself 1 – 2 hours at the location. This does not mean you will be undergoing treatment for this whole time. This is to allow for any unscheduled delays we may have in our day and also for any prolonged recover time that you may need.  Generally, you will be in treatment and consultation for no longer than 30-45 minutes. We try our best to keep clinics running to time however sometimes delays do occur.
Will I need to see you again after my treatment?
In most cases, following treatment you will be discharged back to the care of your general dentist, however should you require any follow up care directly related to the completed treatment we may recommend a further appointment.
​How can I get further information?
By calling us on 0330 122 9382 or emailing us on info@oralsurgeryltd.com