Dr. Nikhil Nagaraj is an oral and maxillofacial specialist with 20 years of experience. His work ranges from oral surgical procedures to conditions involving the jaws and facial structures. He consults at Dental Destination for patients who need an oral and maxillofacial surgical assessment.
Dr. Nikhil completed his BDS at Yenepoya Dental College, Mangalore, before pursuing his MDS at SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad.
His career has taken him through clinical practice, academics and international healthcare. He worked with the Ministry of Health in the Sultanate of Oman and was previously a faculty member at SDM College.
His qualifications and professional background include:
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery involves more than just tooth extraction. While this is a part of oral and maxillofacial surgery, there are other issues related to the jaws, mouth and the surrounding face that are involved in this field of dentistry.
Dr. Nikhil specializes in maxillofacial injuries, jaw tumors and cysts, temporomandibular joint disorders, facial asymmetry, cleft lip and palate, and oral cancer.
These conditions are quite different from one another. A patient with an impacted tooth does not need the same assessment as someone who has injured their jaw. Similarly, swelling caused by a cyst needs to be approached differently from a problem involving the jaw joint.
That is why the diagnosis matters before any procedure is discussed.
Some extractions are simple. Others are not.
A tooth may be impacted, positioned at an unusual angle or located in a way that makes a routine extraction difficult. In situations like these, an oral surgeon may be asked to assess the tooth before it is removed.
Dr. Nikhil looks at the tooth itself as well as the surrounding area. The surgical approach can then be decided according to what is actually required.
Wisdom Tooth ExtractionJaw conditions can first appear as pain or swelling. At other times, the problem may only become apparent after an X-ray or scan.
Dr. Nikhil's experience includes maxillofacial trauma and the management of jaw tumors and cysts. These problems need to be understood properly before treatment is chosen.
With an injury, for example, the concern may extend beyond the painful area. The teeth, jaw and nearby structures may all need to be considered. A cyst or tumor presents a different set of questions and may require further investigation before treatment is planned.
The jaw joint is used constantly, whether we are eating, speaking or simply opening and closing the mouth. When there is a problem with this joint, patients may be advised to have it assessed.
TMJ disorders are among Dr. Nikhil's areas of expertise. Importantly, consulting a surgeon for a TMJ problem does not mean surgery will automatically be recommended.
His work also includes facial asymmetry and cleft lip and palate, where the teeth, jaws and facial structures can be closely connected.
A sore, swelling or unusual change in the mouth can be worrying, particularly when it does not go away.
Oral cancers form another part of Dr. Nikhil's specialist work. However, having an unusual change in the mouth does not mean it is cancer. What matters is having persistent or concerning changes examined rather than trying to judge the cause yourself.
Further investigation can then be considered if the examination suggests it is necessary.
There is no need to arrive with a diagnosis.
You may have been sent by another dentist because an extraction looks complicated. You might already have an X-ray or scan. Or perhaps there is swelling, jaw discomfort or another change that has not been fully explained.
Bring whatever information you already have.
Dr. Nikhil can examine the area and review relevant records or scans. From there, he can explain what has been found and whether anything else needs to be investigated.
And seeing an oral and maxillofacial specialist does not automatically lead to an operation. Sometimes the most useful outcome of the appointment is simply knowing what the problem is and what should happen next.
Consultation is needed for a problematic or impacted tooth, jaw bone fracture, jaw cyst or tumor, temporomandibular joint disease or any other disorders related to mouth and jaws.
Dr. Nikhil also specializes in cases of facial asymmetry, cleft lips and palates, oral cancers and any other oral surgical disorders.
If another dentist has recommended a surgical opinion, you can also bring your existing reports or scans to the consultation.
After 20 years in dentistry, Dr. Nikhil Nagaraj's professional background includes specialist surgical practice, teaching and international clinical experience.
At Dental Destination, he provides specialist assessment for patients whose dental concerns extend into oral or maxillofacial surgery.
The appointment begins with understanding the problem. Once that is clear, the next step becomes much easier to discuss.
The appointment begins with understanding the problem. Once that is clear, the next step becomes much easier to discuss.
Schedule a consultation with our team today. We'll get back to you to confirm your slot.
