Oral Surgery
What is Oral Surgery?
Oral surgery is a broad area which cuts across almost all dental specialties. It consists of the diagnosis and surgical treatment of problems related to the teeth, mouth, jaws, and other attached structures, such as the salivary glands.
Health
- Extraction of teeth that are no longer viable, wisdom teeth, or impacted teeth (that have failed to erupt);
- Exposure of impacted teeth for orthodontic traction;
- Removal of lesions from the oral cavity, such as cysts, and biopsy of potentially malignant lesions (Mouth cancer);
- Abscess drainage for treatment of infections;
- Regeneration or grafting of hard (bone) or soft (gum) tissues;
- Gingivectomy (removal of excess gum) to coronal lengthening (removal of excess gum and bone);
- Implant placement.
Aesthetics
Oral surgery is one of the fundamental steps in the aesthetic area.
Not only in the removal of aesthetically unpleasant gum lesions, but also in the placement of implants to replace lost teeth and to create aesthetic uniformity in the dental support tissues (gum and bone), in order to bring harmony to the smile.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made during a consultation, through a thorough clinical observation, photographic record, intra-oral scan and detailed clinical history.
We complement our planning with 2D X-Ray and CBCT (high definition digital 3D CT).
Everything is planned in detail so that even the most complex procedures become simple, fast and effective.
Step-by-Step
We also start with an assessment consultation, where the doctor makes the diagnosis and plans your treatment with the help of technological means, such as 2D digital X-ray, CBCT, and, in cases of cosmetic surgery, oral photographs and intra-oral scanning are taken.
The surgical plan is defined and explained in detail to the patient. In order to guarantee a comfortable pre and post-operative period for the patient, a suitable pharmacological protocol is developed for each case.
Most surgical procedures are performed using local anesthesia and, when necessary, completed with anxiety control techniques or sedation with drugs. We also have differentiated anesthesia techniques available, such as Conscious Sedation with Nitrous oxide (the patient is conscious, but very sedated) and General Anesthesia in a hospital operating room outside the clinic (partnership with a hospital operating room where YOU’s team will perform surgeries).
All surgeries are assisted by a team of highly specialized and trained oral surgery assistants who help with the preparation of all necessary material and equipment, as well as with the preparation of the patient for surgery and during the procedure.
The surgery is performed with minimally invasive techniques, and with the use of magnifying glasses or a surgical microscope, in order to specifically treat the problem at hand in a thorough way and cause as little damage as possible to all the attached structures.
The post-operative period includes a close follow-up with the patient, both by telephone, via digital platform, and by face-to-face consultations, in order to ensure that everything goes well.
Responsible team
Dr. Pedro Freitas
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it always necessary to extract wisdom teeth?
It is not necessary to extract wisdom teeth as long as they are healthy teeth, with functional space in the arch, and well positioned. What happens is that, in most cases, wisdom teeth end up being a source of potential problems for several reasons: either because they don’t have room to erupt or they are not well positioned, they can lead to infections in the surrounding bone or resorption of the teeth next to them. Or since wisdom teeth are hard to access, they end up retaining food debris that is difficult to clean, leading to problems such as bad breath, cavities, and infections.
For all these reasons, wisdom teeth often end up being extracted in order to treat or prevent these common problems.
Will i always have swelling or pain after a tooth extraction?
It is common, after any type of surgery, for the body to have an inflammatory response, with associated edema (swelling), to a greater or lesser extent, depending on each person. However, the precise and effective surgical techniques used at You, combined with the vast experience of our team, allow us to optimize the surgery time in order to minimize such side effects. Furthermore, the drug protocols used and the post-operative follow-up allow the patient to have a more comfortable post-operative period.
Can wisdom teeth be extracted all at once or do they have to be extracter one at a time?
Each situation must be individually assessed, but in most cases all wisdom teeth can be extracted in the same surgery. This avoids the patient having to undergo several surgeries. In addition, there is the advantage that it is not necessary to medicate the patient more than once.
Do impacted teeth always have to be extracted?
Impacted teeth have to be extracted whenever there are problems or when there’s is a risk of developing problems associated with them, such as gum inflammation or infection, leading to pain and facial swelling, or because they can cause problems in adjacent teeth.
There are impacted teeth which, after being surgically exposed, can be pulled through orthodontic appliances to take their proper place in the oral cavity.
How is the bone or gum grafting done?
Bone and gum grafting can be done using the patient’s own tissue or tissue from an external source. In the first case, we collect tissue from an area with tissue in good condition, such as the palate (roof of the mouth) in the case of gum, or the area behind the last tooth, in the case of bone. In the same surgery, the collected tissue (gum or bone) is placed in the area where it is needed. When we use external sources, there is no need to collect tissue from the patient. For both bone and gum, there are biomaterials that are compatible with the human body with the ability to promote tissue regeneration in the required areas.
Can i extract teeth if i take anticoagulants?
Currently, most anticoagulant medication makes it possible to perform safe dental surgeries. In some cases, it may be necessary to suspend the medication for a few days. In very special cases, a personalized protocol is developed in coordination with a Cardiologist.
Can i extract teeth if i am pregnant?
Most dental procedures are safe at all stages of pregnancy; nevertheless, the second trimester is usually the safest stage for more invasive treatments, such as surgery. In any case, an individual assessment of each case is always necessary.
Your first consultation begins here.
After requesting your appointment, our team will contact in order to find the best date for you.
Our patients are very important to us and we always do what we can to help them have a better quality of life and a smile that promotes their well-being.