Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Mr Nikhil Maini is one of very few oral and maxillofacial surgery consultants in the region who offers these procedures for children, and he treats adults too. He exposes buried teeth for orthodontic treatment, removes impacted and wisdom teeth, treats lesions of the mouth and lips, and carries out corrective jaw surgery.
Seeing patients in Brighton, Tunbridge Wells and Hassocks.
Few consultants in Sussex and Kent offer oral surgery for children. Mr Maini does, so families can be treated close to home, and adults see the same consultant.
Often referred by an orthodontist when an adult tooth has not come through on its own.
Referred by a dentist or orthodontist, or coming directly with a problem tooth or a change in the mouth.
Uncovering an adult tooth stuck in the jaw, often with a gold chain, so the orthodontist can guide it into line.
Wisdom teeth and other buried teeth, including coronectomy, in clinic or in theatre.
Biopsy and removal of lumps and patches on the lips, tongue and palate.
Repositioning the upper or lower jaw, or the chin, to improve the bite and the balance of the face.
Children and adults can be seen for a consultation at every location. Where treatment takes place, and how you book, depend on your age, the procedure you need and how you are paying.
Self-pay or insured? Self-pay patients can book at all three locations. Patients using private medical insurance are seen only at Nuffield Health Brighton and Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells, not at the Graystone Referral Centre in Hassocks.
If your child under 16 needs surgery in theatre, it will take place at Tunbridge Wells. For self-pay families, many smaller procedures for children can be carried out in clinic at Hassocks; insured children are treated at Tunbridge Wells.
Mr Maini welcomes referrals for children and adults who need buried teeth exposed, impacted teeth removed, corrective jaw surgery, or a lesion of the mouth or lips assessed. Please include the patient's age, whether they are self-pay or insured, and any recent radiographs, so the right location can be offered first time.
Send your referral securely online. To discuss a patient first, call or email the practice.
Or call 01273 627055 or email nikmaini@max-fac.com
Treatment guide: buried teeth
Sometimes an adult tooth, most often an upper canine, stays buried in the jaw instead of coming through. Working with your orthodontist, Mr Maini uncovers the tooth and attaches a small bracket with a fine gold chain, so the brace can gently guide the tooth into place.
Most children and adults are back at school or work within a few days. Expect some soreness and swelling, eat soft foods for a short time and keep the area clean as advised. Stitches are usually dissolvable.
This is a general guide. Mr Maini will explain the benefits and risks for your own situation, including the option of not having surgery, before you decide.
Treatment guide: wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth that cannot come through properly can cause repeated gum infections, decay or damage to the tooth in front. When removal is the right option, it can be done in clinic under local anaesthetic or in theatre under general anaesthetic.
When the roots of a lower wisdom tooth lie very close to the nerve, Mr Maini may recommend a coronectomy instead of full removal. The crown of the tooth is taken out and the roots are deliberately left in place, which lowers the risk of damaging the nerve.
Swelling and jaw stiffness usually peak after two to three days, then settle. Most people need a few days to recover before returning to work or school.
This is a general guide. Mr Maini will explain the benefits and risks for your own situation, including the option of not having surgery, before you decide.
Treatment guide: corrective jaw surgery
When the upper and lower jaws do not meet properly, braces alone may not be enough. Corrective jaw surgery repositions one or both jaws, and sometimes the chin, to improve the bite and the balance of the face. It is planned jointly with your orthodontist and usually carried out once facial growth has finished.
Swelling is greatest in the first few days and settles over several weeks. You will need a soft diet for a while, and most people take a few weeks away from work or study.
This is a general guide. Mr Maini will explain the benefits and risks for your own situation, including the option of not having surgery, before you decide.
Call or email the practice to book in Brighton or to ask a question. New patients can book a consultation at Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells online, and the Graystone Referral Centre team books self-pay appointments at the Hassocks clinic. Insured patients are seen at Nuffield Health Brighton and Tunbridge Wells.
