Oral Cyst Removal in Finchley for Muswell Hill Patients

Oral cysts often show up by chance on a routine dental X ray and may not cause symptoms. Seek an assessment if you notice signs such as a persistent swelling in the gums or jaw that may or may not hurt, or a small bump on the gum that does not heal. Some people have tooth displacement when a cyst in the jawbone pushes teeth out of alignment. If a cyst becomes infected you may have pain, more swelling, and a bad taste. You should be assessed if you have any of these signs or if your dentist has seen a suspicious area on an X ray.

We plan your treatment for safety and comfort. First you will have a 60 minute consultation to discuss symptoms and medical history, including a 3D CBCT scan to map the cyst size and its relation to nearby nerves and tooth roots. Then we schedule the surgery, which usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes. It is performed under local anaesthetic, so you are awake but the area is numb. The surgeon makes a small gum incision to reach and remove the cyst lining. The area is cleaned and closed with dissolvable stitches. We often send the tissue for biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, and you return for a follow up in 2 to 4 weeks to check healing.

Consider a 19 year old from Muswell Hill referred for a painless swelling near an unerupted wisdom tooth. Our CBCT identified a dentigerous cyst. Removal happened in a single 75 minute visit and the patient recovered fully within two weeks. In another case a 55 year old from Highgate had a routine X-ray that found a periapical cyst at the root of a previously treated tooth. We removed the cyst and performed an apicoectomy at the same time to save the tooth and avoid extraction and implant.

Good aftercare helps a smooth recovery. In the first 24 to 48 hours expect some swelling and mild to moderate discomfort, manageable with over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen. Apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek for 20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling. Eat soft foods for the first week such as soup, yogurt, and smoothies. Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, or using a straw for the first 24 hours to protect the blood clot. After 24 hours you can rinse with warm salt water. Most swelling and discomfort lessen within 5 to 7 days. Red flags requiring immediate contact include increasing pain after day 3, fever above 38 C, or persistent bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure during office hours. For after hours call 111 or go to the nearest A and E.

Complete surgical removal or enucleation is the common and definitive treatment, but there are alternatives for certain cases. Marsupialisation is a procedure where the cyst is opened and tied to the surrounding tissue to allow drainage and gradual shrinkage. This helps with very large cysts where removal could affect nearby structures. Another option is watchful waiting for very small, asymptomatic cysts, though there is a risk it may grow and cause problems later. We discuss all suitable options for your case at your consultation.

The price depends on size, location and complexity. After the initial consultation and 3D CBCT, we provide a detailed treatment plan and a clear breakdown of all costs. There are no hidden fees. As a private practice we do not offer NHS treatment. We accept several private plans including Max Bupa, Denplan and Cigna. Tell our team if you have cover and we can help with the paperwork.

To choose wisely, ask these questions whether you see us or another practice in North London. Ask about their experience with this procedure and how many they perform each year. Ask what the total cost includes so it covers the scan, the surgery, the biopsy and all follow up visits. Ask about the chance of the cyst returning and what the plan would be if it does. Finally ask what would happen if the cyst has damaged the jawbone and whether a bone graft might be needed.