Oral surgery in Cobham
Experienced assessment and surgical dental care in Cobham.
Oral surgery covers procedures such as surgical and complex tooth removal. Everything starts with an assessment: we examine the area, take imaging where it is clinically required, and explain what is involved, what the risks are and what recovery is likely to be like before anything is agreed.
From from £265
Suitability
Who this may suit
- A tooth has been assessed as unrestorable, or removal has been recommended after examination.
- A tooth is broken down, has awkward roots or has previously been root treated, so a straightforward extraction is unlikely.
- You have symptoms around a wisdom tooth, such as repeated swelling, pain or difficulty cleaning the area.
- You have been referred by another dentist for assessment or surgical removal.
Why patients are seen here
Assessment first
Nothing is planned before the tooth or area has been examined and, where clinically required, imaged. You are told what we have found and what the options are.
Care under local anaesthetic
Surgical and complex extractions are carried out under local anaesthetic in a familiar practice setting, with the same team looking after your ongoing dental care.
Referral when that is the right answer
Some cases are better managed in a hospital or specialist setting. Where that applies we say so and arrange an onward referral rather than proceeding.
Fees
Starting price
from £265
Extraction
Prices listed are the minimum charge for this treatment. Your own costs are confirmed in a written estimate after your assessment.
See our full fee list →Risks & considerations
Risks and important considerations
- Bleeding from the socket, and bruising or swelling of the face and jaw for several days.
- Pain and stiffness, including difficulty opening the mouth fully for a short period.
- Infection of the socket, or a painful socket where healing is delayed, which may need further appointments.
- Damage to neighbouring teeth, fillings, crowns or bridgework.
- Fracture of the tooth or root during removal, and occasionally a small root fragment being left where removing it would cause more harm.
- Numbness or altered sensation of the lip, chin, tongue or taste. This is usually temporary but in rare cases can be long lasting or permanent.
- For upper back teeth, a connection with the sinus, which may need further treatment.
- Jaw or joint discomfort after treatment, and rarely a jaw fracture with the removal of some lower teeth.
- The gap left by the tooth, and the effect on chewing, appearance and the position of neighbouring teeth over time.
- Your clinician will explain which of these risks apply to your case, and how likely they are, before you consent.
Frequently asked questions
Usually because a tooth cannot be saved or cannot be removed straightforwardly — for example a heavily broken-down tooth, a tooth with awkward roots or previous root canal treatment, or a wisdom tooth causing repeated problems. It is only recommended after an examination.
We examine the tooth and surrounding area, review your medical history and medication, take imaging if it is clinically required, and then explain the findings, the options, the risks and the likely recovery. You receive a written estimate before anything is booked.
Digital x-rays are the usual starting point, taken only where clinically justified, so the clinician can see the roots, the bone around them and nearby structures. If more detailed imaging is needed than we can provide, we will arrange or refer for it and explain why.
Local anaesthetic. You are awake throughout and the area is numbed. We do not provide sedation or general anaesthetic — if your case needs either, we will refer you to a service that does.
What to expect, step by step
- 1
Assessment appointment
We listen to your symptoms, examine the tooth, gum and surrounding area and review your medical history and medication. If you have been referred, we go through the information your dentist has sent.
- 2
Imaging where clinically required
Digital x-rays are taken when they are needed to see the roots, the surrounding bone and nearby structures such as nerves and sinuses. Imaging is only taken where it is clinically justified.
- 3
Treatment planning and consent
We explain the findings, the options — including not treating — the risks that apply to you and the likely recovery. You receive a written estimate, and we answer your questions before you decide.
Your options
Treatment choices we may discuss
Surgical extraction
Removal of a tooth that cannot be taken out simply — for example where the tooth is broken down at gum level. It may involve raising the gum and, in some cases, removing a small amount of bone or sectioning the tooth.
Complex extraction
Removal of teeth with awkward root shapes, extensive decay, previous root canal treatment or limited access, where more time and planning are needed.
Assessment and treatment planning
A dedicated appointment to examine the area, review imaging, discuss your medical history and medication, and set out the options, sequence and written estimate.
Wisdom-tooth assessment
Symptoms around wisdom teeth are assessed and explained. Where removal is appropriate it is carried out at an oral surgery appointment, or referred on where that is more suitable.
Referred procedures
We accept referrals from other practices for assessment and surgical extractions, and we refer patients on to hospital or specialist colleagues where a case falls outside what we provide.
Important limitations
What this treatment cannot do
- We do not provide sedation or general anaesthetic. Treatment described here is carried out under local anaesthetic; where a case needs more than that, we refer.
- Some cases are outside what can be provided in practice and are referred to a hospital or specialist setting.
- We cannot say in advance exactly how long a procedure will take or how straightforward it will be — that becomes clearer at assessment and sometimes only during treatment.
- Recovery varies from person to person, so we cannot promise a fixed amount of time off work or away from sport.
- Local anaesthetic keeps you comfortable during treatment, but we cannot promise that treatment or recovery will be completely free of discomfort.
- Removing a tooth leaves a gap. Replacement options such as an implant, bridge or denture are separate treatments with their own assessment and fees.
Alternatives
Other options we may discuss
No treatment, with monitoring
Choosing not to proceed is an option. We will explain what is likely to happen if the tooth or area is left, and review it with you.
Saving the tooth
Where a tooth can be restored, root canal treatment, a filling or a crown may avoid removal. We will tell you honestly whether that is realistic for your tooth.
Referral to a hospital or specialist service
For complex cases, or where sedation or general anaesthetic is needed, an onward referral is the appropriate route.
Replacing the tooth afterwards
If a tooth is removed, an implant, bridge or denture can be discussed as separate treatment with its own assessment and fees.
Technology
What we use at the practice
Digital x-rays
Digital radiographs taken in the surgery and displayed on screen so your clinician can talk you through the findings.
Frequently asked questions
Eat normally beforehand unless you are told otherwise, take your usual medication, and bring an up-to-date list of your medicines and medical conditions. Tell us in advance about blood-thinning medication, bisphosphonates, diabetes or recent changes to your health, and consider arranging for someone to accompany you home.
You are given written aftercare advice. Expect some bleeding, swelling and discomfort in the first few days, managed with the advice we give and ordinary pain relief. Avoid smoking, alcohol, vigorous rinsing and strenuous exercise while the area settles, and contact us if things are getting worse rather than better.
Bleeding, bruising, swelling, discomfort, infection or a painful socket, damage to nearby teeth or restorations, root fracture, and less commonly altered sensation of the lip, chin or tongue, a sinus communication or jaw problems. Your clinician will go through the risks specific to your case at the assessment.
Yes. We accept referrals from other practices for assessment and surgical extractions. Please use our referral page and our team will contact the patient to arrange an appointment, and keep you updated.
Extraction fees, including removal of a wisdom tooth at an oral surgery appointment, are published on our Plan & Fees page. The fee for your case is confirmed in writing after the assessment, before treatment goes ahead.
Concerns this may help with
What patients come to us about
Related treatments
You may also want to read
- Wisdom tooth removalAssessment of troublesome wisdom teeth, with honest advice on monitoring versus treatment.
- ExtractionsCareful removal, including wisdom teeth, with clinicians experienced in oral surgery.
- Emergency dentistUrgent assessment for dental pain, swelling, broken teeth and lost restorations.
- Dental examinationThorough check-ups including x-rays and screening.
- Root canal treatmentTreating infection inside a tooth with the aim of keeping your natural tooth.
- ImplantsReplacing missing teeth with fixed, natural-looking restorations.
For referring practices
Referring a patient to us
We welcome referrals from colleagues. Send your referral details and we will keep you updated on your patient's care.
Refer a patient →Not ready to book?
Our treatment coordinators can talk you through the options and costs with no obligation, or arrange a callback at a time that suits you.
Been told you may need oral surgery?
Book directly into our diaries online, or ask us a question first — we're happy to help.