Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery: A Guide for Barnet Patients

You may need a referral to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for specific and often complex dental problems. This type of surgery is not for routine issues; it is for conditions that require a specialist's touch. Common reasons for a referral include severely impacted wisdom teeth that are causing pain, infection, or are positioned close to a major nerve, making extraction complex. Another key indicator is persistent jaw pain, clicking, or locking, which could point to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Patients who have experienced facial trauma from an accident or require corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) to fix bite and alignment issues are also prime candidates. We provide initial diagnosis at our Finchley clinic to determine if a specialist referral is the right next step for you.

Understanding the referral process helps remove any uncertainty. First, you'll book a 60-minute consultation at our practice near Finchley Central. During this appointment, we'll discuss your symptoms and medical history. Next, we use our in-house 3D CBCT scanner to get a detailed, multi-angle view of your jaw, teeth, and facial bones. This scan is fundamental for an accurate diagnosis. Then, Dr. Reddy will analyse the scans, explain his findings, and discuss whether a referral is needed. If it is, we handle the entire referral process, sending your scans and our clinical notes to a trusted oral and maxillofacial surgeon in the London area. We ensure you are directed to a professional with the right skills for your specific case. We remain your point of contact for any questions until your care is transferred.

A patient from High Barnet visited us with recurring pain and swelling around his lower jaw. A standard 2D x-ray from a previous dentist was inconclusive. Our 3D CBCT scan revealed a wisdom tooth growing horizontally and pressing against the nerve canal. Attempting extraction in a general practice setting would have been high-risk. We referred him to a maxillofacial surgeon with the detailed 3D images, allowing the specialist to plan a safe extraction with minimal risk of nerve damage.

Not every complex dental issue requires immediate referral for major surgery. During your assessment, we prioritise saving natural teeth and exploring the least invasive options first. For example, some TMJ pain can be managed with non-surgical treatments like custom mouthguards, physiotherapy, or medication, which we can discuss. In cases of missing teeth where bone levels are borderline for implants, we might assess if a less complex procedure is possible before referring for a significant bone graft. Our prevention-first philosophy means we always evaluate if a non-surgical or minimally invasive treatment at our own practice can resolve your issue before recommending a surgical referral.

To make an informed choice about your health, here are some important questions to ask, whether you're consulting with us or another practice in the Barnet area: Why is a referral to a surgeon necessary in my specific case? What non-surgical alternatives have been considered? Does the 3D CBCT scan cost extra, and can I have a copy of my images? Who is the surgeon you are referring me to, and what is their experience with my condition? Will you communicate with the surgeon on my behalf throughout the process? What are the estimated costs for the initial assessment and the potential surgery itself? How long will I have to wait for an appointment with the specialist?

The price for an initial consultation and 3D CBCT scan will be explained before your appointment. This fee covers the diagnostic stage. The cost of the actual surgery will be set by the surgeon's practice and can range from hundreds for extractions to thousands for major jaw surgery. We are a private practice and do not offer NHS treatment, but your referral could be to an NHS or private specialist depending on your needs. We accept private dental insurance from Max Bupa, Denplan and Cigna, which may cover the initial assessment; please check your policy.