Gum tissue at the site of the implant is opened up to expose the bone. The bone is drilled and a titanium implant is inserted where the root of your tooth had been. Once the bone and gum has healed (3-6 months), the post is attached to the implant and the crown is placed over the post and cemented into place.

Orthognathic surgery corrects malpositioning of the upper and or lower jaws. This is usually done in combination with orthodontic treatment carried out with a specialist orthodontist. Surgery is usually carried out through an incision inside the mouth. The bones are cut and the jaws mobilised and following repositioning are held with titanium plates and screws which maintain the position of the bones while they heal.

Common deformities suitable for orthognathic surgical correction are:

• Mandibular retrognathia (lower jaw too short)
• Mandibular prognathism (lower jaw too far forward)
• Maxillary retrognathia (upper jaw too far back)
• Vertical maxillary excess (upper jaw too tall, often resulting in a gummy smile or difficulty getting the upper and lower lips together)
• Transverse maxillary deficiency (upper jaw too narrow, often resulting in cross bite)
• Anterior open bite (vertical gap between upper and lower front teeth)
• Jaw and facial asymmetries

Orthognathic surgery will help restore a normal occlusion and may improve a person's ability to chew and speak. Breathing may become easier for some people. The surgery may also improve facial appearance. 

Parotidectomy: an incision (cut) is made in front of the ear and runs down below the jaw line. Part or all of the parotid gland is removed.

Superficial parotidectomy: an incision is made in front of the ear and runs down beneath the ear lobe. The superficial (top) lobe of the parotid gland is removed.

Submandibular gland surgery: an incision is made just below the jaw bone and the submandibular gland removed.

Arthroscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made over the joint in front of the ear. A small telescopic instrument with a tiny camera attached (arthroscope) is inserted, allowing the surgeon a view of the joint. Small instruments can be inserted into the other cuts to free up the joint by e.g. removing adhesions and scarring, or repositioning a disc.

Arthroplasty (open surgery): an incision is made in front of the ear, giving the surgeon access to reconstruct the joint by e.g. smoothing joint surfaces, repairing discs or removing diseased tissue. If a joint replacement is necessary, a second incision under the angle of the jaw may be required.

Wisdom teeth are the third molars right at the back of your mouth. They usually appear during your late teens or early twenties. If there is not enough room in your mouth they may partially erupt through the gum or not at all. This is referred to as an impacted wisdom tooth. 

Due to their location wisdom teeth can be difficult to clean and are more susceptible to decay, gum disease and recurrent infections. They can cause crowding of teeth and, on rare occasions, cysts and tumours develop around them.

Your dentist will advise if some or all of your wisdom teeth need to be removed.  Wisdom teeth will usually only be removed if your dentist believes they will be a significant compromise to your oral health.

Impacted tooth extraction

Your dentist may recommend extraction if you are at significantly greater risk of infection or tooth decay.  Impacted teeth may be removed by your dentist or they may refer you to an oral & maxillofacial surgeon.

An incision (cut) is made in your gum and access to the impacted tooth cleared by pushing aside gum tissue and, if necessary, removing some bone. The tooth is removed whole or in pieces and the gum stitched together over the hole.