Oral surgery in Lugano and Bellinzona

What we treat

We carry out simple and complex extractions (including wisdom teeth and impacted teeth), removal of cysts and small soft-tissue lesions, treatment of oral infections, apicectomies (surgical removal of the tip of a root when root canal treatment alone is not enough) and bone grafting in preparation for implants. Every procedure is planned on X-rays and explained clearly before we proceed.

3D diagnosis with cone beam CT

Where a conventional X-ray is not enough — wisdom teeth close to the nerve, cysts, impacted teeth, planning for bone grafts or implants — the practice is equipped with a cone beam CT scanner that produces 3D images of bone, roots and anatomical structures. It allows us to measure the position of nerves and sinuses precisely and plan the procedure in detail, reducing risk, surgery time and surprises, at a radiation dose far lower than a hospital CT scan.

Wisdom teeth

Third molars often lack the room to come through properly: they stay impacted in the bone or partly covered by gum, causing recurrent inflammation, decay in the neighbouring tooth or pain. In these cases, extraction is the safest course. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, usually in 20 to 40 minutes per tooth, and recovery is easier than the reputation of wisdom teeth suggests — especially when the extraction is not put off until it becomes an emergency.

Conscious sedation

Oral surgery is led by Dr Alessandro Maria Volpi, who completed postgraduate training in oral surgery at the University of Turin and is a sedation dentist. For anxious patients, longer procedures or several extractions to be completed in one visit, he offers conscious sedation: you remain awake and able to respond, but deeply relaxed and with no unpleasant memories. It is also the answer for anyone with a real fear of the dentist.

After your procedure

You receive written post-operative instructions — ice, soft foods, caring for the area, medication to take — and a direct contact for any questions. Swelling and discomfort for the first two to three days are normal and manageable with ordinary painkillers; removal of stitches and follow-up visits are part of the treatment. For urgent problems — acute pain, abscesses, injuries — see our dental emergencies page.

After an extraction: what about the gap?

An extracted tooth should normally be replaced, because neighbouring teeth tend to drift and the bone to shrink. When an extraction is planned, we can preserve the bone volume at the time of surgery and, in suitable cases, place the implant in the same session. The options — implant, bridge or denture — are discussed with you, with a clear estimate.

Frequently asked questions