Oral and maxillofacial surgery in Canterbury

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries and problems of the teeth, mouth, face, jaw and neck.

Whether you need a complicated dental extraction, treatment for a mouth ulcer or surgery to correct a jaw deformity, the Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons at The Chaucer have the expertise to help.

To ensure you receive the best care possible, your consultant works closely with specialists in other fields, including plastic surgeons, dermatologists, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) surgeons, dentists and speech therapists.

When you choose a private appointment at The Chaucer, you’ll benefit from treatment tailored to your specific requirements, access to state-of-the-art diagnostics and rapid access to an experienced Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. 

The Chaucer Hospital is found in the historic city of Canterbury, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the English county of Kent. Our patients come to us from local areas such as Faversham, Thanet, Herne Bay and Whitstable, as well as Deal, Wye, Ashford and Maidstone. Our expert consultants, world-class facilities and truly compassionate team also attract people from further afield, across the UK and even abroad.

A Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon is qualified in both medicine and dentistry. This dual training means they are able to carry out a range of complex surgical procedures and treatments in the head and neck.

The Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons at The Chaucer can provide: 

• Adult Oral Surgery 
• Surgical removal of wisdom teeth, buried roots, buried canine teeth and impacted teeth 
• Treatment of cysts and tumours of the jaws 
• Screening for Oral Cancer 
• Biopsy and treatment of lesions of the lip, mouth, roof of mouth and tongue 
• Management of problems affecting the soft tissue lining of the mouth, such as white patches, burning mouth or mouth ulcers 
• Treatment of salivary gland problems, including stone removal 
• Treatment of facial fractures and lacerations 
• Treatment for disorders of the lower jaw (mandible) and jaw joint (temporomandibular joint) 
• Investigation and treatment of facial and dental pain 
• Surgery to correct dental and facial deformities 
• Facial skin surgery 
• Bone grafting 

Due to the complexity of many of these treatments, you will usually be referred to our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons by your GP, dentist or a consultant in another speciality.  

When you meet with your consultant at The Chaucer, they will take a medical history and talk about your symptoms with you. They’ll want to know things like: 

• What symptoms do you have? 
• When did they first appear? 
• What effect are your symptoms having on your daily life   
• Do you have any particular concerns about your symptoms? (For example, are you worried about oral cancer?) 

They will also carry out a clinical examination of the affected area(s).

Most people will have previously had dental X-rays carried out by their dentist and these, along with relevant medical notes, will normally be accessible to your consultant at your appointment.

There are a number of diagnostic tests and assessments that can be helpful when investigating oral and maxillofacial problems and these can all be easily arranged by your consultant when required. For example, some lesions in the mouth will require a biopsy to analyse.

Your consultant will use your clinical history, the results of their examination and any test results to make a diagnosis and plan the best treatment for you. Some treatments will require input from a multidisciplinary team, and your consultant will work closely with other specialists like orthodontists when needed.

Every aspect of your care, from assessment and diagnosis through to treatment and aftercare, will always be discussed with you so that you know what to expect. If surgery is required, your consultant will explain how it will be done and what results you should expect to see as a result.

Any surgery has risks and potential complications. These will be explained to you so that you have the details you need to make an informed choice about any treatment.   

People choose The Chaucer for their Oral and Maxillofacial surgery for a variety of reasons. Some will have been referred from their GP, dentist or other healthcare professional. Some will have private insurance while others will be happy to self-pay rather than having to wait many months to receive treatment elsewhere.  

Many of our patients are from Canterbury itself, while others travel to us from other areas of Kent.

Regardless of how you’ve been referred to us or the distance you’ll be travelling to visit with us, at The Chaucer you will always benefit from:

• Rapid access to consultant-led treatment – It is easy to feel self-conscious about a facial deformity or to worry about the possibility of mouth cancer. When you’re struggling with concerns like these, you’ll appreciate a fast diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. At The Chaucer, that’s exactly what you’ll experience. We can book an appointment for you with an experienced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, meaning you’ll be able to benefit from treatment sooner.
• Appointments to suit you – It’s easy to book an appointment at a time that’s convenient for you. Consultations are usually in person at The Chaucer, but we can also provide remote consultations via telephone or video call if required and when clinically appropriate. 
• Treatment tailored just for you - With any type of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Your treatment will be tailored to your precise needs in order to give you the best results both short-term and long-term. Follow-up appointments as required will ensure you continue to benefit from your treatment.
• Multidisciplinary team - Our Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons are highly experienced in their field. They also have fast access to experts in other fields, including ENT surgeons, plastic surgeons and dermatologists. This ensures you will always benefit from the best possible care and support at all times.
• Peace of mind - In an independent surgery, 98% of the people we treated at The Chaucer Hospital said they were likely or extremely likely to recommend us to their friends and family. While we truly value this feedback, we continue to focus on providing the highest level of care, support and help to all who trust us for their oral and maxillofacial treatments. 

Effective treatments are available for a wide range of oral and maxillofacial problems. If you’re concerned about any type of problem, why not get in touch today to book an appointment with one or our consultants?

They will thoroughly investigate the cause(s) of your problem and then discuss suitable treatment options available. If surgery is needed, such as removal of an impacted wisdom tooth, they will be able to arrange that for you without delay.

Whatever problem you’re struggling with, and whether or not you require surgery, a consultation with a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at The Chaucer can give you reassurance and peace of mind that you’re being properly looked after and getting the expert advice you need.

We treat self-pay and privately insured patients and can provide quick access to an expert. We look forward to helping you.