To use our NHS Minor Oral Surgery service, you will need a referral from your general dental practitioner, usually via an electronic referral system. Please ensure that your dentist has referred you to Thornhill Dental Surgery before contacting us. We may also accept private referrals in the future. 

If you have received a code from us please enter it here to access documents for your referral.

How the Referral Process Works

• Your Dentist Initiates the Referral: Your primary dentist assesses your need for minor oral surgery and determines if you meet the criteria for referral to an MOS service. 

• Electronic Referral: Your dentist will submit the referral using the appropriate electronic referral system, 

• Urn Number: You may receive a Unique Reference Number (URN) from your dentist for the referral. You can use this number to track the status of your referral. 

• Thornhill Dental MOS: Once we receive the referral, we will be in touch either via email or sms. We will send you a code to access the documents necessary for your referral and then ask you to contact us to make an appointment. Please do not call us until we have contacted you.

 

What to Do

• Speak to your dentist: Your dentist is your main point of contact for the MOS referral process. 

• Track your referral: If you’re given a URN, use it on the Dental Referrals website to check your referral’s status. 

• Look out for a text message/email from us and follow the instructions.

• Please note there is a waiting list and your referral will be attended to in due course.

 

 

Procedures undertaken by this service.

 

Tooth Extraction

Sometimes a tooth may need to be removed for various reasons. The most common are severe decay, trauma, infection, or crowding. A damaged or painful tooth can often be best treated through extraction, which also creates space for a replacement tooth or allows orthodontic treatment to progress successfully. Your dentist will always explain why an extraction is needed and discuss the best options for your care.

 

What does the treatment involve?

Anaesthetic

Your comfort is our priority. All extractions are carried out under anaesthetic, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. The type of anaesthetic used depends on how complex the removal is:

Local anaesthetic: An injection into the gum around the tooth (similar to what you may have had for a filling). It numbs the area within minutes and is ideal for straightforward extractions.

Simple extractions

For teeth that are easy to remove—such as those taken out to create space for orthodontics—the procedure is quick and straightforward. After an x-ray, the area is numbed and the tooth is gently removed using dental instruments.

Complex extractions

If a tooth is broken, infected, or positioned awkwardly, a minor surgical approach may be needed. This could involve making a small incision in the gum, carefully removing infected tissue, or taking the tooth out in sections. Nervous patients may also choose to have sedation for extra reassurance. In some cases, if the tooth can be saved, root canal treatment may be offered as an alternative.

Aftercare

Looking after the extraction site is important for healing. For the first few weeks, keep the area as clean as possible and avoid disturbing the site while brushing. From the day after your procedure, gently rinse with a mouthwash or warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) to help keep the area free from food debris and encourage recovery.

 

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Having wisdom teeth extracted is one of the most common oral surgery procedures. Wisdom teeth usually develop after the age of 16. While many people have no issues, sometimes these teeth become impacted—meaning they don’t have enough space to grow properly or come through at the wrong angle.

Why wisdom teeth are removed

• An impacted wisdom tooth can lead to several problems, including:
• Repeated gum infections, causing pain and swelling.
• Food trapping, which can lead to decay in the wisdom tooth or the neighbouring tooth.
• Cysts forming around a tooth that hasn’t erupted fully, where fluid builds up in the surrounding sac.

What does treatment involve?

Your comfort is our priority. All procedures are carried out under anaesthetic so the treatment is as pain-free as possible. If a tooth has not fully come through, a small cut may be made in the gum. In some cases, a little bone around the tooth may be removed, or the tooth divided into sections to make removal easier. Afterwards, the gum is closed with dissolvable stitches, which usually disappear within two weeks.

After surgery

Some discomfort and swelling is normal and is usually most noticeable in the first three days. It may take up to two weeks for soreness to fully settle. You may also notice temporary stiffness in your jaw and will likely need to eat softer foods for a short period. Painkillers will be provided, and in some cases antibiotics may also be prescribed. Bruising on the skin can sometimes occur but usually fades within two weeks.

Possible risks

Bleeding: Any bleeding is usually minor and stops quickly, especially if stitches are placed. If bleeding starts again at home, gentle pressure with a clean swab or rolled handkerchief for 10 minutes will usually stop it.

Infection: Rare, but more likely in patients who smoke after surgery. Antibiotics may be prescribed if needed.

Nerve sensitivity: Two nerves lie close to the roots of lower wisdom teeth—one affecting the lip, chin, and teeth, the other the tongue and taste. Occasionally these nerves may be bruised, leading to temporary tingling or numbness. This usually improves within weeks, though very rarely it may be longer-lasting.

Sinus involvement: Upper wisdom teeth can sit close to the sinuses. Very occasionally, a small opening may occur between the mouth and sinus. This usually heals naturally, though rarely further treatment is required.