Oral surgery
Oral surgery: procedures on the jaw and the gums
Oral surgery covers everything beyond routine dental treatment: difficult extractions, wisdom teeth, bone grafting and procedures on the gums. Dr. Shehu is a specialist in oral surgery.
What oral surgery covers
Not every procedure in the mouth is routine treatment. When a tooth sits deep, is fused to the bone or lies at an awkward angle, it needs a surgical approach and surgical experience.
That includes wisdom teeth, difficult extractions, root-end surgery, bone grafting, sinus lift and procedures on the gums.
The qualification behind it
Dr. Shehu completed his specialist training in oral surgery at Al Dent University in Tirana. On top of that comes the three-year European master programme of the EAO in implantology, with modules in Malmö, Groningen, Frankfurt, Zürich, Madrid and Lisbon.
For a surgical procedure that is not a side note: the difference between straightforward healing and difficult healing often lies in the planning done before the first incision.
Piezosurgery
Many procedures are carried out with ultrasound rather than a conventional drill. The instrument cuts bone while leaving soft tissue such as nerves and mucosa intact.
In practice that means less tissue damage, less swelling afterwards and quieter healing.
Being pain-free is a technique
The most common reason people put off a necessary procedure is fear of the pain. So the anaesthetic is given in a way that makes even the injection barely noticeable, and nothing begins until the area is completely numb.
There is one exception, and it is said openly: during an acute infection the anaesthetic can work less well, because the infection chemically interferes with it. In that case the infection is treated first.
After the procedure
Cool the area, nothing hot for the first few days, no smoking, and brush carefully around the site. You are given the instructions in writing so you are not guessing at home.
If you are travelling from abroad, the procedure is scheduled so there is enough time between it and your return journey for the first check-up.
The full sterilisation cycle, from the sealed pouch to the indicator that changes colour, is set out under hygiene at the clinic.
Questions and answers
What people ask most often
Should I be worried about a wisdom tooth?
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and it is not painful. For most people the idea of it is worse than the procedure itself. You are told beforehand exactly what will happen and how long it takes.
How long does healing take after an extraction?
The site is healed enough after about three weeks for further work, such as a bridge. The discomfort itself usually eases noticeably after two or three days.
What does bone grafting mean?
If there is too little bone where a tooth is missing to anchor an implant safely, bone material is built up. Once that has healed, the implant can be placed.
What is CGF and what is it used for?
CGF is a concentration of growth factors obtained from a small amount of your own blood. It is placed into the wound to support healing. Because the material comes from you, there is no risk of a reaction to it.
I take blood thinners. Is that a problem?
Not automatically, but it has to be known before the procedure begins. Please mention it when you book the appointment rather than in the chair, so the procedure can be planned around it.
Related treatments
Implantology
Dental implants: how they work and how they are placed
An implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium, placed into the jawbone, with the crown fitted on top of it later. It is the only solution that replaces a lost tooth without touching the teeth beside it.
Saving teeth
Fillings and root canal treatment
Your own tooth is always better than any replacement. As long as there is enough structure left it gets filled, and when the nerve is involved the tooth is saved with a root canal rather than taken out.
The first consultation is free
An examination, a clear explanation of your options and a treatment plan, with no obligation. Message us on WhatsApp or give us a call.