Common Conditions

Dr Nathan El-Atem is a specialist doctor and dentist, holding specialist registration with AHPRA under both registrations. He has focused on surgery of the jaw. He can discuss with you whether surgery under general anaesthetic (completely asleep) or local anaesthetic (pain-free numbing of the jaw) is the best way to help you.

Wisdom tooth extractions

Our third molar teeth, called wisdom teeth, are more likely to harm us than help us. They often do not come through properly, getting stuck in the jaw. They cause pain, infection, damage to nearby teeth and can be more difficult to keep clean leading to decay. It is very common for wisdom teeth to require removal if they do not come through properly. It is usually better to remove wisdom teeth when you are younger with better capacity for healing and recovery. Dr El-Atem has refined his technique over years of practice and focuses on minimising pain for his patients. As a specialist surgeon, he has developed surgical skills that help him achieve lower pain outcomes over years of refining his technique.

Dental Implants

Enjoying food with a smile every day can be troublesome without some key teeth. If certain teeth are missing, replacing them with an implant can improve your enjoyment of daily life. An implant is a titanium fixture, inserted into the jawbone, allowing a fake tooth or teeth to be clipped, cemented or screwed in. As a specialist surgeon, Dr El-Atem is familiar with managing challenging cases.  Dr El-Atem can assist with surgery to facilitate new teeth, including dental implants, bone grafting and sinus lifts. After a period of 3-6 months of healing, your Dentist or Prosthodontist would then attach a tooth or teeth, improving your chewing and smile.  There are many options to replace teeth, including non-surgical options, which should be discussed with your regular Dentist before deciding on an implant. If you and your Dentist decide that an implant is the best way forward, Dr El-Atem can work with them to get you smiling and chewing again.

Orthognathic Surgery

Corrective jaw surgery is often required for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. For some people, the suboptimal position of their jaws affects their ability to eat, chew, smile and breath efficiently. They may have noticed themselves, or it may have been pointed out by their orthodontist, dentist or GP. Orthognathic surgery is a core aspect of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, however Dr El-Atem has chosen to further his ability in orthognathic surgery by undergoing further orthognathic surgery training for 12 months after obtaining his qualifications as a specialist surgeon. Dr El-Atem will work with your orthodontist, and as a team they will make sure you get the best possible outcome.

Oral Surgery

Some conditions of the mouth are best managed with surgery. Some spots or lesions in the mouth or jaw may require biopsy – removal and checking for a diagnosis. Sometimes teeth can become stuck in the jaw and will not come through into a smiling or biting position without help from an orthodontist. To move it into a good position, your orthodontist may need the tooth to be surgically exposed. There are many such situations which Dr El-Atem has become an expert in managing as a specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.

Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea can have widespread detrimental effects on a person’s health. People with untreated sleep apnoea are at increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. This is in addition to the daily affect to quality of life, with a feeling of fatigue and tiredness. Some people have issues with fatigue at work due to their obstructive sleep apnoea. Addressing these issues starts with a sleep study, often followed by non-surgical management which can be led by a sleep physician or your GP. In some people where there is an inadequate improvement following non-surgical management, poor tolerance of a CPAP machine or underlying anatomical issues such as a small jaw, then surgery is considered. Dr El-Atem is an expert on jaw surgery, using maxilla-mandibular advancement and genioplasty to bring the jaws and connected soft tissue forward and increasing the airway space for breathing. 

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Headaches are unfortunately a common issue for many people. One cause of many includes the jaw joint and the associated muscles. Most temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) can be addressed with non-surgical management. For severe or long-lasting issues, surgery may be considered. Dr El-Atem has additional training in this field and can discuss the benefits of arthroscopic surgery, open joint surgery and in severe end-stage cases, total joint replacement.