Oral Surgery in Barcelona: complex extractions and CT-based diagnostics

Oral Surgery in Barcelona: Wisdom Tooth Removal, TMJ and Zygomatic Implants

Barcelona is one of the leading international centers for maxillofacial surgery: it is home to clinics with high-tech equipment specializing in 3D planning, minimally invasive techniques, and complex cases of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathology. At Corona Dental in Barcelona, surgeries are performed by surgeon Peralonso — with the same level of technical precision: from removal of an impacted wisdom tooth to placement of zygomatic implants in patients with severe bone loss, under local anesthesia or sedation depending on the case.

When Oral Surgery Is Needed

Not every tooth extraction or treatment in Barcelona requires surgical intervention: most teeth are removed by simple extraction, without incising the gum. But there are situations where surgery is the only safe path: a wisdom tooth that has not erupted and remains under the bone or gum (impacted tooth), a broken root that cannot be removed with ordinary forceps, a jaw cyst that has grown around the tooth root, or insufficient bone for implant placement using standard methods.

Difference Between an Oral Surgeon and a Maxillofacial Surgeon

For simple tooth extraction or conventional implant placement, an oral surgeon (odontólogo cirujano) is sufficient. However, if the case is advanced, involving the maxillary sinuses or nerve trunks, or if major bone reconstruction is required, a maxillofacial surgeon (cirujano maxilofacial) is needed — a specialist with additional surgical training beyond the dental faculty. Before contacting a clinic, it is worth clarifying which specialist will perform the surgery — this directly affects the safety of complex cases.

Wisdom Tooth Removal: Simple or Surgical

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually appear between the ages of 18 and 25, and there is not always enough space in the jaw for them to erupt normally. When a wisdom tooth has fully erupted and is in the correct position, removal is simple: it is performed under local anesthesia, and the patient returns to normal life the very next day. When the tooth is impacted — partially or completely hidden under the gum or bone — surgical removal is required: a small flap of gum is opened, access to the tooth is gained, and it is extracted, sometimes dividing it into fragments to minimize trauma to the bone and adjacent teeth.

Why a CT Scan Is Done Before Surgery

Before surgical removal of a lower wisdom tooth, a computed tomography (CT) or 3D scan is performed to precisely determine the location of the inferior alveolar nerve. This nerve runs inside the lower jaw, and in some patients the root of the wisdom tooth lies dangerously close to it. Without a preliminary three-dimensional image, there is a risk of damaging the nerve during extraction, which can lead to paresthesia — loss of sensation in the lip or chin. This is a rare but serious complication. Virtually all clinics in Barcelona require their own panoramic X-ray or 3D CT before surgical planning; the cost of such an image is usually paid separately unless included in the procedure price.

Jaw Cysts and Periapical Pathology

If a long-standing tooth infection was not treated in time, a cyst may form around its root — a cavity filled with fluid that slowly grows, displacing or destroying the surrounding bone. Such cysts are usually painless in the early stages, so they are often discovered incidentally on routine X-rays. Surgical treatment consists of complete removal of the cyst along with the affected tissue, to stop its growth and prevent damage to adjacent teeth and structures.

TMJ Pathology: When the Problem Is Not in the Tooth

The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw to the skull, and its disorders — pain when opening the mouth, clicking, locking of jaw movement — are often mistaken for a purely dental problem, when in fact the cause lies in the joint itself or the masticatory muscles. Diagnosis combines clinical examination with specialized TMJ imaging methods, and treatment ranges from conservative measures — splints, physiotherapy — to surgical intervention on the joint itself in the most severe cases.

Zygomatic Implants: When Bone Is Insufficient

In patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw — after many years without teeth or due to progressive atrophy — a regular implant may not find enough bone for fixation, even after bone grafting. Zygomatic implants solve this problem by anchoring directly into the zygomatic bone — a structure that is practically not subject to resorption over the years — eliminating the need to wait months for bone recovery before placing permanent teeth.

How a Surgical Procedure Is Performed at Corona Dental

Any surgery begins with diagnostic imaging — panoramic X-ray or CT, depending on the case — to plan the intervention before the operating room. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia; for longer or more complex interventions, such as simultaneous removal of several impacted wisdom teeth, we offer conscious sedation to help the patient tolerate the procedure more comfortably, without the need for general anesthesia. After surgery, a follow-up visit is scheduled to ensure healing is progressing normally.

Comparison: Simple Extraction vs. Surgical Extraction

Post-Operative Care

In the first 24–48 hours, it is recommended to apply cold to the cheek intermittently to control swelling, stick to soft and cool foods, and avoid vigorous rinsing or drinking through a straw — the suction movement can dislodge the blood clot and lead to dry socket (alveolitis). Smoking significantly slows healing and increases the risk of infection, so it should be avoided at least in the first few days after surgery.