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Our jaw consultants

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Expertise and a commitment to achieving the best possible results using the latest techniques from a globally renowned specialists

Consultant oral maxillofacial surgeon Mr Luke Cascarini is a leading specialist surgeon of the mouth, jaw and face and one of the few UK surgeons to offer head and neck robotic surgery, complex dentistry and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement.

Committed to innovation, he was the first in the UK to carry out a level III jaw arthroscopy to treat jaw joint disc displacement, instead of using open surgery and disc fixation and also performed the UK’s first jawbone replacement using a 3D-printed mandible incorporating a titanium frame to allow teeth to be implanted.

Practising at Harley Street Specialist Hospital, London Bridge Hospital, and BMI The Sloane Hospital and operating additionally at The London Clinic, he also works with The Regenerative Clinic to offer the latest minimally invasive regenerative treatments.

Miss Natasha Berridge is dually qualified in medicine and dentistry. As a consultant oral maxillofacial surgeon, her sub-specialities include: facial deformity/jaw surgery including post-traumatic soft tissue injuries, complex dentoalveolar conditions, the management of skin malignancies, and non-surgical aesthetic treatments. The co-author of the internationally renowned Primal Head & Neck DVD-Rom for Dentists/Dental Hygienists, Ms Berridge is a highly dedicated, highly skilled clinician who has been much published in peer-reviewed medical journals.

She enjoys teaching, mentoring and is a sought-after conference speaker. She practises privately at London’s Harley Street Specialist Hospital.

Also holding a dual qualification in dentistry and medicine, consultant maxillofacial surgeon Mr Deepak Komath is an expert in the treatment of all medical and surgical conditions affecting the face and neck. His specialist interests include oral surgery, temporomandibular joint pain treatment (TMJ), dental implant and tooth extraction, treating salivary duct disorders, facial deformity correction surgery, head and neck reconstruction after cancer or trauma, facial surgery such as nose reshaping, face lifts and eyelid rejuvenation, skin cancer surgery, and the early detection and minimally invasive treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) skin cancers.

He has been Clinical Lead, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontics at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust since 2017. A sought-after teacher, lecturer and published medical author, he is passionate about providing his patients with outstanding care.

Jaw anatomy

Linking the lower jaw to the base of the skull at the ears, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is made up of a lower jaw ball and skull base socket. Muscular movement facilitates the rotation and sliding of these joints which in turn allows the lower jaw to move vertically, laterally, backwards and forwards. Activities such as swallowing, talking, chewing and even yawning are all dependent on the TMJ function. If components of the TMJ are not functioning as they should, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) can result.

Pain in the jaw muscle and problems with normal jaw functions, are the commonest reasons for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). These conditions will usually only need non-invasive treatment.

The bone that forms the lower part of the skull Is called the mandible or lower jaw and together with the upper jaw (maxilla), makes up the structure of the mouth. It is movement of the lower jaw that opens and closes the mouth and enables mastication, aided by the bottom teeth sited in the lower jaw.

The lower jaw is controlled by four muscles: the masseter, the temporalis, the medial pterygoid, and the lateral pterygoid. These muscles come in pairs, with one of each located on either side of the skull and combine to allow the lower jaw to move from side to side and up and down.

The lower jawbone can suffer minor or severe fractures, with the latter leading to the jaw having to be wired closed to prevent movement while it heals. Tendinitis, infections arising from tooth decay or other tooth-related disorders, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD), which causes painful swelling where the mandible meets the cheekbone, are other issues that can affect the lower jaw.

closed jaw diagram
open jaw diagram

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