Oral Surgery

Tooth extraction is a dental procedure in which one or more teeth are removed.

It depends on the underlying pathology of the tooth. In general terms, extractions are divided into two major categories:

• Simple: only for teeth, which are erupted and require the use of special tools.
• Surgical: performed on teeth that have not yet erupted or on severe fractured teeth.

We recommend the extraction of one or more teeth in the following cases:

• Tooth fracture
• Extensive caries
• Uncontrolled and extensive gum disease
• Failure of endodontics
• Problems during teeth eruption
• Impacted teeth
• Dentures
• Radiation therapy to the face area
• Failure of simple extraction (for surgical)

Contraindications mainly concern surgical extraction, because it is a more invasive method and the use of anesthesia is required. The dentist has to take a complete medical history and assess the patient’s general state of health. It is very important to ask about the medications the patient is taking, with the most important being anticoagulants and antiplatelets. In any case, the specialist weighs the benefit against the risks of this method and decides accordingly.

The tooth extraction has to be done by a specialist. It is a method that is performed quite often and is completely safe. Nevertheless, no method is without complications and risks, with surgical extraction being clearly more difficult than simple extraction. There are many factors that the dentist has to consider before performing the extraction and estimating how “difficult” the procedure will be. If these factors point to a very difficult case, maxillofacial surgeons have to perform this procedure. Some of these factors are:

• State of dental tissues: the more damaged the tissues, the more difficult the extraction process.
• Adjacent tissues: x-rays are the most helpful tool. If the tooth is in direct contact with other tissues, extraction will be difficult.
• Position and orientation of roots: if several x-ray are not taken, either some root may remain, or the procedure may not be done correctly. The more irregular the position of the roots, the more difficult the extraction.
• Periradicular diseases: we have to diagnose them before the extraction.

Before the extraction, the dentist should take a medical history, perform a clinical examination and take the necessary x-rays. The patient must be informed about the entire procedure and possible complications. After the above is done, the doctor administers local anesthesia to the area where the extraction is to take place. Using a dental extractor and a dental forceps, the specialist removes the tooth. The procedure ends with stitches. To reduce bleeding and the possibility of infection, the dentist places a sterile gauze, which the patient holds for 30-45 minutes. For at least one day, smoking and cleaning of the area is prohibited.

Before the extraction, the dentist should take a medical history, perform a clinical examination and take the necessary x-rays. The patient has to be informed about the entire procedure and possible complications. The patient should take antibiotics one hour before the procedure (a combination of amoxicillin 500mg and clavulanic acid 125mg). After the above is done, the dentist administers local anesthesia to the area where the extraction is to take place. Using surgical dental tools, the periosteum and mucous membrane are removed. This exposes the root and the doctor prepares the area. The tooth and the damaged tissues are removed and the wound is closed with stitches. To reduce bleeding and the possibility of infection, the dentist places a sterile gauze, which the patient holds for 30-45 minutes. For at least one day, smoking and cleaning of the area is prohibited.

Extraction is a safe method as long as it is performed by a specialist dentist. The most common complications are bleeding and infection.

Alpha Smiles performs all surgical practices with the help of technology and of course under completely aseptic techniques, in order to reduce the possibility of any complication.

The patient must not smoke or clean the area for at least 24 hours. To prevent infection, it is recommended to use chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% oral rinse twice a day for a week. For the first few hours, it is recommended to place ice packs on the outside of the face where the tooth extractions were done. In the first three days, the patient is expected to have swelling gums. The stitches are usually removed after about a week.

Because each case is unique, you will be given detailed instructions before and after the procedure. Do not hesitate to contact us for anything that concerns you.

Rhizotomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove sensation from a painful nerve by killing nerve fibers responsible for sending pain signals to the brain.

A rhizotomy can be recommended in the following cases:

• Failure of endodontics
• Abnormal root anatomy
• Abscess
• Pain that remains after endodontics
• Root’s fracture

As in any dental procedure, it is very important for the dentist to take a medical history and perform a thorough clinical examination. The most helpful tool, however, are the x-rays. Through them we can see how extensive the damage is and plan the treatment plan. It is of the utmost importance that the patient understands the entire process and that any questions are answered. After this is done, the area where the rhizotomy will be performed is isolated with special tools and anesthesia is administered. When the doctor sees the diseased part, he removes it and reshapes it. At the point where the root has been removed, the dentist places a biocompatible material. The procedure ends with stitches.

Dental cysts usually form at the roots of dead teeth or around the crowns or roots of teeth that haven’t broken through the gum. If it becomes infected, a dental cyst becomes an abscess. Dental cysts can remain small and symptom-free. If they grow, they can cause pain by pressing against a tooth or gum.

If there is a large dental cyst, it can threaten the health of the teeth located in this area. If there is an abscess, things unfortunately become more serious. The complications of the abscess can be local and devastating (e.g. osteomyelitis, tooth loss) or even very serious multisystem diseases (e.g. endocarditis, cavernous sinus thrombosis, etc.). The earlier the abscess is treated, the more reduced are the possibilities to develop a complication.

Our first action after diagnosing the cyst or abscess is to remove and drain it. Through a small incision on the surface of the tooth, the specialist tries to drain the purulent fluid. Then, endodontics is performed. It is very important that the specialist cleans the area correctly and methodically, so that the abscess does not reoccur. Antibiotics and painkillers are recommended for a few days after surgery.