“Most people arriving for surgery are nervous. I’d rather spend the time explaining exactly what’s going to happen than rush into it. Patients cope far better when they know what to expect.”
Tom Bean
Oral Surgeon
5 star rating
Specialist Referrals
Specialist Oral Surgery
Some extractions and surgical procedures need more than routine dental care. At Goldsworth Road Dental & Implant Centre, our in-house Specialist Oral Surgeon Tom Bean carries out complex extractions, wisdom teeth removal and minor oral surgery, using the same techniques he uses in Hospital practice. Treatment is available under local anaesthetic or intravenous (IV) sedation, without the long hospital wait.
Hospital-Trained Specialist Surgeon
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Tom has experience from a range of Hospital-based Oral Surgery roles, including a speciality post at the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals.
Sedation Available:
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Intravenous (IV) sedation means anxious patients can have surgical treatment comfortably, with little memory of the procedure afterwards.
Seen Locally, Sooner:
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Surgery that might otherwise mean a long hospital wait can usually be assessed and treated here in Woking within 4 weeks.
Surgical Care Without the Hospital Wait
Oral surgery covers the procedures that sit beyond everyday dentistry. Having a surgeon in the practice means those procedures can be planned, carried out and followed up in one familiar place.
- Experience with Difficult Cases:
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Impacted, buried and broken-down teeth are routine work for an Oral Surgeon, including teeth other dentists have been unable to remove.
- Comfort Throughout:
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Every procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic. Intravenous sedation is available for anyone who wants it.
- Careful Planning:
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3D scans may be needed before the treatment to show the position of important structure such as nerves, so the treatment can be planned safely.
- Continuity of Care:
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You are assessed, treated and reviewed by the same clinician, with your own dentist kept informed throughout.
Oral Surgery at Goldsworth Road Dental & Implant Centre
Straight-forward extractions are carried out by our general dentists. Surgical and complex cases are managed by Tom Bean, our in-house Specialist Oral Surgeon, who has advanced training in Oral Surgery and works in Hospital departments alongside his time here.
The benefits of surgical care include:
Hospital-level experience
Tom has spent his career in Oral Surgery departments, managing cases referred from general practice.
Advanced 3D imaging
If indicated, CBCT scanning shows exactly where a root sits in relation to the nerve, so treatment can be planned before you’re in the chair.
Intravenous (IV) sedation
Delivered in the practice for patients who are nervous, or who simply prefer not to be aware of the procedure.
Fewer complications
The goal of careful planning and surgical technique is to mitigate the risk of complications.
A clear plan from the start
You’ll be told what’s involved, what recovery looks like and what it will cost before you commit to anything.
Understanding How Oral Surgery Works
Oral surgery is the removal of teeth and treatment of tissue in the mouth and jaw where a simple approach isn’t possible. That might be a wisdom tooth locked against the tooth in front, a tooth that has broken at the gum line or a lump or cyst that needs to be removed and examined.
Treatment starts with an assessment and x-ray. This helps understand your problem and tells us the position of the tooth and the presence of any disease e.g. decay or a cyst. We can also see the relationship to vital structures such as nerves or maxillary sinuses. Sometimes advanced 3D imaging is needed to assess this in more detail. From there we can tell you what the procedure involves, how long it will take and what the realistic risks are.
The surgery itself is usually shorter than people expect. The gum is numbed, a small incision is made where needed, and the tooth or tissue is removed before the site is cleaned and stitched. Most patients return to normal activity within a few days. More detail on the expected recovery and advice on what to do in this period will be explained clearly to you.
We’ll always tell you when surgery isn’t the right answer. If a tooth can be saved, or if a case is better managed in hospital, we’ll say so.
Treatment Under Sedation
For many patients, the anxiety is worse than the procedure. Intravenous sedation (IV) is given through a small cannula in the arm and leaves you relaxed, drowsy and largely unaware of what’s happening, while still able to respond to us. Most people remember very little of the appointment afterwards.
You’ll need someone to bring you home and stay with you for the rest of the day. Everything else is explained at your consultation.
Self Referrals Welcome
You don’t need to be a patient here, and you don’t need a letter from your dentist. If you’ve been told a tooth is difficult to remove, been waiting for a hospital appointment, or simply had enough of a wisdom tooth flaring up, you can contact us directly.
We’ll assess the tooth, explain the options and give you a written estimate before any treatment is agreed. Sedation is available for nervous patients.
Referral Pathway
We aim to make the referral process straightforward and efficient for both dentists and patients.
Referring dentists can send cases using our online referral form or contact Jana, our Referral Coordinator, via WhatsApp at the bottom of this page for fast communication and case updates.
Once a referral is received, our team will:
- Arrange a consultation with Dr Tom Bean to assess the case.
- Provide a clear treatment plan and cost estimate for patient approval.
- Carry out the agreed treatment to the highest clinical standard.
- Supply a detailed written report and radiographs upon completion.
All patients are then returned to their referring dentist for ongoing maintenance and restorative care.
Trusted providers, guided by experience
“As an Endodontic Specialist, my goal is to save natural teeth. Helping patients feel confident and relaxed during highly precise dental procedures is the most rewarding part of my day.”
Noman Athwal
Specialist Endodontist
“I specialise in periodontal (gum health) therapy, supporting patients to optimise their oral and general health. Patient comfort throughout is my number one priority.”
Tishani Patel
Specialist Periodontist
Flexible payment plans
Surgical treatment shouldn’t have to wait until it’s an emergency.
Spread the cost with up to 12 months interest-free credit on treatment from £500 to £5,000. Our simple online application takes just 2 minutes to complete, and you’ll get an instant decision on whether you’re approved. Checking your eligibility won’t affect your credit score, and once approved, you can start using your finance straight away. It’s a straightforward way to spread the cost of your treatment without paying any interest.
Is Oral Surgery Right for You?
You may need to see an oral surgeon if you’re experiencing:
- Pain, swelling or repeated infection around a wisdom tooth.
- Regular food trapping around a wisdom tooth that is difficult to keep clean.
- A tooth that has broken off at or below the gum line
- A tooth that your dentist has been unable to remove.
- A canine or other tooth that hasn’t come through, holding up orthodontic treatment
- A lump, ulcer or patch in the mouth that hasn’t settled
- A long wait for a hospital appointment you’d rather not sit through
If any of these sound familiar, an assessment will tell you where you stand. Not every case needs surgery, and we’ll tell you if yours doesn’t.
What Are the Alternatives?
Surgery isn’t always the answer. A wisdom tooth causing no symptoms or food trapping can often be monitored rather than removed. A tooth that looks hopeless can sometimes be saved with root canal treatment or a crown.
There’s also the NHS route. Hospital oral surgery departments do this work well, and if that’s the right option for you we’ll say so – the difference is usually how long you have to wait to access treatment.
When a tooth does have to come out, we’ll talk you through replacing it, whether that’s a bridge, a denture or a dental implant.
What Oral Surgery Can Help With
Oral surgery covers the procedures that need a surgical approach rather than a routine one. These are the treatments Tom carries out at the practice.
Complex tooth extractions
Teeth that are broken down, heavily filled, root-treated or firmly held in the bone often can’t be removed with a routine approach. A surgical approach makes the removal cleaner, quicker and more comfortable.
Surgical extraction or coronectomy of wisdom teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth that cause pain, infection or damage to the tooth in front are removed surgically. Where a root sits very close to the nerve, a coronectomy removes the crown of the tooth and leaves the root undisturbed, reducing the risk of nerve injury.
Impacted teeth — expose and bond
When an adult tooth, usually a canine, fails to come through, it can be uncovered surgically and a bracket bonded to it so your orthodontist can guide it into position.
Soft tissue biopsy
Any lump, ulcer or patch in the mouth that hasn’t cleared within three weeks should be examined. A small sample is taken under local anaesthetic and sent for laboratory analysis, so you get a definite answer rather than a guess. If appropriate, a small lump can be fully removed.
Frenectomy
The small band of tissue connecting the lip or tongue can restrict movement, pull on the gum or cause a gap between the front teeth. Releasing it is a short procedure with a quick recovery.
Enucleation of cysts
Cysts in the jaw are usually painless and often found on a routine X-ray. Removing the cyst and its lining treats the problem and allows the bone to heal.
Oral Surgery FAQs
- Will it hurt?
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The procedure itself will not. The area is fully numbed with local anaesthetic before we start, and we check you’re comfortable throughout. Afterwards you can expect some soreness and swelling for a couple of days, which ordinary painkillers usually manage well.
- Can I be sedated?
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Yes. Intravenous (IV) sedation is available for any surgical procedure here. You’ll be relaxed, drowsy and largely unaware of the treatment, and you’ll need someone to take you home afterwards.
- How long is the recovery?
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Most people take it easy for 24 to 48 hours and are back to normal within three to seven days. Swelling usually peaks on the second day. You’ll be given written aftercare instructions and a number to call if anything concerns you.
- Do I need a referral from my dentist?
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No. We see self-referred patients as well as referrals from other practices. If you’re referred, we’ll write back to your dentist explaining what we found and what we did.
- Why not wait for the hospital?
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For many people that’s a perfectly sensible choice. The main difference is timing – hospital waiting lists for oral surgery are often long, and problems like recurring wisdom tooth infections tend not to improve while you wait.
- What will it cost?
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Costs depend on the procedure and whether you choose sedation. You’ll be given a written estimate at your consultation, before you commit to anything.