Windows in Barcelona

What Are Fenestrations?

Oral surgery performed to help an impacted tooth erupt. It involves making a small incision in the gum and removing the bone that is blocking the tooth’s path into the mouth.

It is part of a combined treatment plan involving surgery and orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment must be done with braces in order to apply force to the tooth in the proper direction and move it into its ideal position.

This surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.

Treatment Process

The fenestration process begins with a joint evaluation by the orthodontist and the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. A panoramic X-ray is taken and, in most cases, a 3D CT scan is performed to precisely locate the impacted tooth and plan the most conservative incision. The procedure is scheduled in coordination with the orthodontic phase. The procedure is performed in the operating room under local anesthesia, with sedation if the patient prefers, and usually lasts 30–45 minutes. The surgeon exposes the crown of the tooth, allowing the orthodontist to place the anchor during the same appointment or at a subsequent visit shortly thereafter.

Recovery time

Recovery from a fenestration is usually brief and well tolerated. It is common to experience mild discomfort and some swelling during the first 2–3 days, which can be managed with mild pain relievers. We recommend a soft diet initially, applying cold compresses for the first few hours, avoiding strenuous activity, and maintaining good hygiene as directed. Most patients return to school or work the next day. Stitches, when used, are usually absorbable. We schedule a follow-up visit in 7–10 days to check on healing before starting orthodontic traction, if this has not already been done.

Expected Results

The results become apparent gradually. Once orthodontic force is applied, the tooth begins to move toward its correct position, usually at a rate of 1 mm per month. The gum heals naturally around the repositioned tooth, maintaining an aesthetic appearance. In most cases, the final result is indistinguishable from that of a tooth that erupted spontaneously. Coordination with the orthodontist ensures an optimal aesthetic result in the anterior region, especially when it comes to the canines, which play a very important role in the smile.

Duration of treatment

The fenestration surgery takes between 30 and 45 minutes. The orthodontic traction phase that follows can last between 6 and 12 months, depending on the depth and angulation of the impacted tooth. The comprehensive orthodontic treatment of which it is a part typically lasts between 18 and 24 months, although the fenestration itself is a specific stage of the process. We schedule regular checkups with the orthodontist to monitor progress and adjust the forces at each visit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Windows and Doors

Fenestration is a minor surgical procedure that exposes a tooth that has not erupted properly so that the orthodontist can guide it into its final position. It is frequently used in dogs as well. At Clínica Birbe in Barcelona, we work in close coordination with the orthodontics team to ensure that the procedure is integrated into the patient’s overall treatment plan.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and, in children or anxious patients, under conscious sedation, so no pain is felt during the procedure. Afterward, you may experience mild discomfort and some swelling for 2 to 3 days, which can be managed with mild pain relievers. Most patients resume their normal activities the next day, avoiding strenuous physical activity during that first week.

After fenestration, the orthodontist places an anchor and begins orthodontic traction. The total treatment time varies depending on the depth and angle of the tooth, but in many cases it ranges from 6 to 12 months. We conduct joint follow-up visits to adjust the forces and ensure that the gum heals aesthetically around the repositioned tooth.

It is typically indicated for adolescents and young adults with impacted canines or other impacted teeth detected during an orthodontic evaluation. The assessment by Dr. Joan Birbe, an ABOMS-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, in consultation with the orthodontist, determines the best strategy. 3D X-rays are evaluated to determine the exact position of the tooth and plan the most conservative incision possible.

Dr. Joan Birbe: ABOMS-certified in dental fenestration surgery

Fenestration to extract an impacted canine or tooth is a microsurgical procedure with lifelong aesthetic and functional consequences. Dr. Birbe applies the ABOMS standards here: 3D planning, minimal tooth exposure, careful handling of the gums, and close coordination with the orthodontist, who will then guide the tooth into its proper position in the dental arch.

Why Choose Clínica Birbe for Your Window Surgery?

Window installation requires equipment. At Clínica Birbe, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon and the orthodontist work together on your case to ensure a predictable outcome.
• Preoperative digital planning using CBCT to locate the tooth and design the mucosal window.
• A minimally invasive surgical technique designed to preserve the attached gingiva.
• Direct coordination with your orthodontist—whether in-house or external—to place the traction button.
• Joint monitoring of the guided eruption process until the final position is reached.
• Appointments tailored to the patient’s age, with experience treating children and adolescents.


→ Schedule an appointment at Clínica Birbe Barcelona to evaluate fenestration of the impacted tooth.

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