When you first meet with your Consultant at The Sarum Road Hospital, they will take a medical history and talk with you in detail about what is concerning you. They will want to know things like:
- What symptoms do you have?
- How long have you had these symptoms?
- Do you have any pain in your face or neck?
- Have your symptoms been getting worse over time?
- Do you have any specific concerns about your symptoms?
- Are you currently taking any prescription medication, or receiving other treatment?
- Do you have any underlying medical conditions?
They will also carry out a physical examination of the affected area(s).
You will often have had previous dental X-rays or other imaging by the time you come to see us, and these will be reviewed. If these are not available, or have not already been done, we may arrange for further tests or investigations to be carried out, both to help diagnosis and to aid treatment planning.
These may include X-ray (of individual teeth or the whole jaw – orthopantomography), CT or an MRI scan.
Your clinical history, physical examination, and the results of any tests will be used to make a diagnosis and to plan treatment. They will discuss this with you fully, explaining how any surgery will be done and the results you should expect to see as a result.
If you have any questions or concerns, your Consultant will be happy to talk these through with you during your private appointment.