Specialist Oral Surgery at Dental Perfection
Oral surgery is a dental specialty focused on diagnosing and surgically treating conditions affecting the teeth, jaws, oral tissues, and surrounding facial structures.
At Dental Perfection in Hampstead, oral & maxillofacial surgery is delivered by Dr Ali Amini (GDC 85278), a UK trained oral surgeon with over 25 years of clinical experience. He qualified at the Karolinska Institute in 1999 before completing further medical and surgical training in the UK. He is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, holds a doctorate from St George’s University of London, and has worked as a maxillofacial consultant at the Royal Free Hospital.
Our philosophy centres on careful planning, minimally invasive techniques where possible, and evidence-based decision making to ensure safety, comfort, and predictable outcomes.
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT 020 7431 2710Choose our oral surgery treatment and benefit from:
- Highly skilled oral & maxillofacial surgeon (25+ years experience)
- Sedation options
- Experts in helping nervous patients
- Long established practice in North London since 1979
- Less than a minute’s walk from Hampstead Underground Station
- Rated 5* via patients on Google Business
Mr Ali Amini your consultant oral & maxillofacial surgeon
If you’re ready for expert oral & maxillofacial surgery from a friendly and highly experienced dentist, our consultant oral & maxillofacial surgeon, Mr Ali Amini (GDC Specialist No: 85278), can help.
Mr Amini has over 25 years experience, is a renowned expert in his dental field and takes pride in being an extremely gentle yet highly effective surgeon.
Please use the options below for more information
Impacted wisdom tooth • Coronectomy • TMD • Oral lesions • Burning mouth syndrome • Mucocele treatment • Facial moles & skin lesions • Frenectomy • Tongue-tie release • Exposure & bonding of impacted teeth • Botox treatment • Orthognathic surgery • Salivary gland conditions • Pre-prosthetic surgery
Impacted wisdom tooth removal
Wisdom teeth often emerge later than other adult teeth, sometimes not appearing until your twenties. While many grow without issue, a lack of space in the mouth can cause them to become impacted (meaning they are unable to fully come through). This can lead to discomfort, infection, and damage to surrounding teeth. Impacted wisdom tooth removal is a common and effective treatment to relieve symptoms and prevent further complications.
Benefits of wisdom tooth removal:
| Relieves pain, swelling, and discomfort | |
| Prevents repeated infections in the gums | |
| Reduces risk of tooth decay and damage to nearby teeth | |
| Helps avoid cysts or other complications | |
| Improves overall oral health and hygiene |
The procedure:
| Consultation and assessment, including imaging if required | |
| Local anaesthetic to ensure a comfortable, pain-free procedure (sedation available if needed) | |
| Small incision made in the gum for impacted teeth | |
| Tooth may be sectioned into smaller pieces for easier removal | |
| Stitches placed if necessary, which usually dissolve naturally | |
| Post-operative care guidance provided to support healing and recovery |
In most cases, retained roots remain stable and symptom-free. Occasionally, natural migration occurs over time, and if required, they can be removed safely at a later stage.
Coronectomy (nerve-protective wisdom tooth surgery)
A coronectomy is an alternative to complete wisdom tooth removal. Instead of extracting the entire tooth, only the crown portion is removed while the roots remain undisturbed. This technique is recommended when imaging shows the roots lie in close proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve, which provides sensation to the lower lip and chin. The goal is to significantly reduce the risk of nerve injury.
When might coronectomy be advised?
| Lower wisdom teeth positioned close to the nerve | |
| High-risk extractions identified on CBCT imaging | |
| Patients concerned about altered sensation |
What the procedure involves
| Local anaesthetic (sedation optional) | |
| Small, carefully positioned incision | |
| Removal of the crown section | |
| Smoothing of retained root surface | |
| Sutured closure |
In most cases, retained roots remain stable and symptom-free. Occasionally, natural migration occurs over time, and if required, they can be removed safely at a later stage.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD)
TMD refers to dysfunction of the jaw joints and associated muscles. Symptoms may include jaw pain, clicking, stiffness, facial discomfort, or tension headaches. Treatment is usually conservative and reversible. The majority of patients improve without the need for surgical intervention.
Initial management may include:
| Advice on jaw relaxation and habit awareness | |
| Temporary soft diet | |
| Custom-made bite splints | |
| Referral for physiotherapy | |
| Short-term anti-inflammatory medication |
For persistent or complex cases:
| Botulinum toxin injections for muscle overactivity | |
| Arthrocentesis (joint irrigation procedure) | |
| Surgical management (rarely required) |
Early assessment can prevent symptoms from becoming chronic.
Oral lesions & soft tissue procedures
The lining of the mouth can develop various lesions affecting the tongue, cheeks, lips, palate, and gums. These may arise from trauma, infection, chronic irritation, or systemic conditions.
Any ulcer, swelling, or patch that persists longer than two weeks should be professionally evaluated.
Common presentations include:
| Leukoplakia - non-wipeable white patches | |
| Erythroplakia - red lesions that warrant prompt review | |
| Speckled (mixed) lesions - mixed red and white lesions | |
| Oral candidiasis (thrush) - fungal infection |
Treatment depends on diagnosis:
| Removal of local irritants | |
| Antifungal medication | |
| Surgical biopsy where indicatedn | |
| Complete excision of dysplastic tissue | |
| Referral through specialist cancer pathways if required |
Where surgery is necessary, meticulous technique is used to promote optimal healing and minimise scarring.
Burning mouth syndrome
Burning mouth syndrome presents as a persistent burning or tingling sensation, often without visible clinical findings. It most commonly affects the tongue but may involve other oral tissues.
Management focuses on identifying contributing factors such as:
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Hormonal influences
- Dry mouth
- Fungal infection
- Neuropathic pain conditions
Where no reversible cause is identified, treatment centres on symptom control and, when appropriate, multidisciplinary collaboration.
Mucocele treatment
A mucocele is a mucus-filled swelling typically occurring on the lower lip following minor trauma that damages a salivary gland duct.
Small lesions may resolve spontaneously. Persistent or recurrent swellings can be treated with:
Treatment options
- Surgical excision
- Laser removal
- Cryotherapy
Removal of the affected minor salivary gland helps reduce recurrence.
Surgical removal may be performed for:
| Diagnostic biopsy | |
| Suspicious or evolving lesions | |
| Recurrent trauma (e.g., shaving irritation) | |
| Cosmetic refinement |
Incisions are planned along natural skin lines to optimise aesthetic healing.
Treatment approach
| Management depends entirely on the confirmed diagnosis | |
| Benign inflammatory or traumatic lesions may resolve once the underlying cause is addressed | |
| Infections are treated medically | |
| Dysplastic or high-risk lesions may require complete excision to reduce the risk of progression | |
| Confirmed malignancy is managed through appropriate specialist referral pathways |
Follow-up is arranged where necessary to monitor healing and ensure early detection of any recurrence.
Indications include:
| Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) | |
| Speech articulation concerns | |
| Orthodontic considerations | |
| Gum recession |
The procedure:
| Local anaesthetic | |
| Scalpel or laser release | |
| Sutures if necessary | |
| Post-operative mobility exercises |
Laser techniques may reduce bleeding and improve post-operative comfort.
Exposure & bonding of impacted teeth
This combined surgical-orthodontic procedure assists impacted teeth, commonly upper canines, to erupt into proper alignment.
Treatment stages:
- Surgical exposure of the impacted tooth
- Attachment of orthodontic bracket
- Gradual traction guided by orthodontics (6–12 months)
Leaving impacted teeth untreated may lead to cyst formation or damage to adjacent roots.
Therapeutic applications:
| Bruxism (teeth grinding) | |
| TMD-related muscle pain | |
| Tension headaches | |
| Excess salivation |
Cosmetic applications:
| Softening dynamic facial lines | |
| Jawline contouring | |
| Gummy smile reduction | |
| Facial symmetry enhancement |
Orthognathic surgery
Orthognathic surgery addresses significant jaw discrepancies that cannot be corrected with orthodontics alone. Treatment involves close collaboration between surgeon and orthodontist.
Treatment pathway:
- Pre-surgical orthodontics
- Surgery under general anaesthetic
- Titanium plate stabilisation
- Post-surgical orthodontic refinement
This treatment improves bite function, facial balance, and long-term oral health.
Salivary gland conditions
Salivary gland problems occur when the glands that produce saliva become blocked, infected, or inflamed. They include stones, infections, autoimmune conditions, and tumours affecting saliva production or flow.
Management options include:
- Hydration and gland massage
- Antibiotics for infection
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Sialendoscopy (minimally invasive stone removal)
- Surgical removal when necessary
Most salivary gland swellings are benign, but persistent lumps require assessment.
Pre-prosthetic surgery
Pre-prosthetic procedures reshape bone or soft tissues to improve the fit and comfort of dentures, bridges, or implants..
Common procedures:
- Alveoloplasty
- Bone grafting
- Removal of tori
- Soft tissue contouring
All treatments are performed under local anaesthetic, with sedation available where appropriate.