Good Neighbor Podcast South Charlotte
Bringing Together Local Businesses and Neighbors of South Charlotte.
Good Neighbor Podcast South Charlotte
Ep. #19 Redefining Patient Care in Oral Surgery with Dr. Marashi
Curious about the seamless blend of medical expertise and artistic passion? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Amir Marashi, the esteemed founder and medical director of Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery. With a stellar career spanning more than three decades, Dr. Marashi opens up about his journey from Mercer University to his specialized training at top institutions like LSU and the University of Rochester. He shares the heartfelt and rewarding relationships he's built with over 40,000 patients, emphasizing the importance of trust and meticulous care in oral surgery. Discover what motivated Dr. Marashi to settle in Charlotte and the profound impact he's made on the community.
In this episode, we not only demystify common misconceptions about oral surgery but also spotlight groundbreaking advancements that have revolutionized the field. From in-office 3D x-rays to quicker, less painful implant procedures, learn how technology is enhancing patient outcomes. Dr. Marashi also discusses the move towards non-narcotic pain relief, making surgeries safer and more comfortable for patients. Plus, get a sneak peek into Dr. Marashi's personal life as he shares his passion for art and an upcoming charity art show. Don't miss this compelling conversation that merges science, compassion, and creativity in the world of oral and facial surgery.
Greater Charlotte Oral & Facial Surgery
Dr. Amir H. Marashi, MD, DDS, FACS
10042 Park Cedar Dr #300
Charlotte, NC 28210
(704) 542-9600
info2@ioralsurgery.com
www.greatercharlotteoralsurgery.com
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Regina League.
Speaker 2:Well, good morning everybody. Welcome to another episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast. This morning I'm excited to have a conversation with Dr Amir Marashi. He is the founder and medical director at the Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery. Welcome, how are you today?
Speaker 3:I'm well. Good morning. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. I would love for you to tell us what you do. That's a big heading. Oral and facial surgery.
Speaker 3:So I am an oral and maxillofacial surgeon by training. That basically means I do surgery in the mouth, on the jaws and on the face, and this ranges from anything from taking out wisdom teeth to placing dental implants to jaw tumors, facial tumors to jaw tumors, facial tumors, facial reconstructive surgery, cosmetic facial surgery such as facelift and eyelid surgery and that sort of thing. That's amazing. Wow, how long have you been doing this? I've been doing surgery for over 30 years, and in Charlotte in particularly last 22 years. I started practice in Pineville, close to the hospital what used to be Mercy South, now it's H1 Pineville and we offer, you know, oral surgical procedures and most of what I do is like taking out wisdom teeth disease or like tumors and cysts of the jaws that we take care of, and cosmetic facial surgery we do.
Speaker 2:So a facial cosmetic surgery.
Speaker 3:And we do these in our Ambulance Center.
Speaker 2:Go ahead.
Speaker 3:We do all this. The majority of the work is done in our office. We're able to do IV sedation, which is wonderful for most procedures. It's very effective and very safe. For more complex procedures, I'm on staff at the atrium and I can do those procedures at the hospital.
Speaker 2:Right in the Pineville Hospital.
Speaker 3:Pineville Hospital correct.
Speaker 2:Gotcha, I'm very curious what led you into this career path, this type of medicine?
Speaker 3:So I started my journey. I basically started in Georgia. I did my undergrad at Mercer University and I went to dental school in Minnesota. All oral surgeons have dental degrees and to be an oral surgeon you have to have a dental degree. Some oral surgeons have medical degrees and I do have. I did also go to medical school. I went to Minnesota for dental school and LSU Shreveport, louisiana, for medical school and I did my residency at LSU and University of Rochester in New York and I found Charlotte an amazing place.
Speaker 3:We had some friends that we visited in the past and always joking, I think the airport sold me before I even came here. Every time I flew to the airport I was like that is amazing. There's rocking chairs and you know guys playing piano. It's really relaxing and every time we passed through Charlotte I had a great experience. So when it came time to basically set roots and after all the training wanted to, you know, settle down basically, and Charlotte became an easy choice and it's been amazing. We love Charlotte. My wife and I have raised two children here. We have amazing learning institutions all over Carolinas. Both of my children have gone to local schools in Carolinas. So we love Charlotte. I think it's been a great experience all around.
Speaker 2:I agree, I've been here a very, very long time, but what got you to choose this type of practice? How did you get? Is there a story behind that?
Speaker 3:So you know, after dental school early on I developed interest in surgery and that came very natural. I just became. Surgery for me has always been a very um natural process and after dental school I went to LSU and the part of the medical education my medical degree also complements this very nicely, I think, and I love taking care of people. I think it's just, it's been in me since I was young. I think it comes very naturally and I love what I do. I think it's a very unique specialty. I can help a lot of different people. I can get them out of pain. I can improve their function. I can improve. If there's something they don't like, if it's feasible, we can help with that.
Speaker 2:That's amazing. What are you most proud of when you look over your 20-some years and being the founder of this amazing practice? Is there anything that just really jumps out?
Speaker 3:Absolutely the patient experience as a human relationships have developed. I've treated more than 40,000 patients in Charlotte oh wow. So I joke and I say I'm a family oral surgeon. I've treated generations, I've treated kids, I've treated before. It's very rewarding. I see people coming back, I've seen a lot of changes and to me, to be able to care for them and for them to trust their loved ones and bring family to me, it's just beyond words, very rewarding.
Speaker 2:Well, that's wonderful. Wow. Are there any misconceptions in your industry that you would like to have a conversation about and share?
Speaker 3:Absolutely. One thing is that you know, nobody gets excited going to an oral surgeon surgery for any reason. I think it's just like it doesn't have to be painful, it doesn't have to be uncomfortable. I think we can help in many ways and I think it's just like if there's a trust developed and you know things followed and we pay attention to a lot of details and really try to make this an experience that, again, I don't think everybody gets excited, but more tolerable and it's not as bad as some say. Another thing that I think you know more dentists take a lot of teeth out and, you know, not a very complex one, which is fine. I think more complex surgeries need to be done by a surgeon. I think the outcome usually is better, obviously a lot more experience and can deal with different outcomes.
Speaker 2:So with that in mind, if you're seeing you don't do just regular dentistry, then at your office.
Speaker 3:No, God, no Okay.
Speaker 2:So you're having to understand. Then, as a patient, there's something more. I've got to go to a surgeon.
Speaker 3:Yes, absolutely. I think, like I said, more complex surgeries can be done. Experience matters, I think attention to details matters and I think we fortunately have a very good oral surgical community in Charlotte. There are a lot of very good qualified surgeons as well. Just a matter of finding one that fits what the patient needs and how comfortable they are with that surgeon.
Speaker 2:Right, right. What kind of advancements have you seen in what you do over 10, 20 years?
Speaker 3:Huge. Actually, every office I have has a CT scan which is basically a 3D x-ray. I used to have to send patients to the hospital. It was a process. It was very expensive. Now Iition that is basically all. The teeth are broken and decayed. In a few hours we can basically remove all of that, place implants and basically make them functional to a point that the surgery is completely done. They leave in a few hours with the teeth that are permanent. They look good and I just kind of I think these are the advances that we can actually print the material in the office. There's a lot of stuff that used to be had to go out that we can take care of it locally.
Speaker 2:So that means it's not only, it's just faster, and I bet the pain part of it is better as well, absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 3:We have uh, particularly there. There are ways we can actually alleviate the pain when I take out wisdom teeth. There's a medication called expiril that I. If we use that usually keeps the areas quiet for about three days so I can take out wisdom teeth, uh teeth, and not use narcotics at all. And a lot of times if you use Expirel they can just take tunnel and Advil, which is a lot less problems afterwards with nausea and vomiting and that sort of thing and a better recovery.
Speaker 2:That's amazing. Yeah, my heart rate's going up just thinking about that. You're so right, so have you know this all sounds beautiful, but have you experienced hardships along this journey?
Speaker 3:I have had some personal health issues in the past that I've overcome and I think that has made me more empathetic. As a surgeon, I think I can. I feel like I can better relate to patients and better care for them.
Speaker 2:That's wonderful. You mentioned loving Charlotte. You mentioned a couple kids. So when you're not doing this business and being a surgeon, what do you guys enjoy doing for fun?
Speaker 3:I'm an artist also. I'm a full-time artist. I paint and I sculpt. I've done this for a long time. Actually, I have a gallery coming up soon. I really enjoy artwork coming up soon. I really enjoy artwork that's when I'm not at the office. At home, I usually say I do surgery five days a week, but I do art seven days a week.
Speaker 2:And it ties in beautifully.
Speaker 3:I can see how that you know you are an artist Absolutely, and I always say I'm a better surgeon a lot of times because of my art. My art does actually make me more attentive to details. I think it has, all around, made me a better surgeon. I'm a big advocate of that for other surgeons as well. I'm a fellow American College of Surgeons and I'm trying to advocate that for other surgeons as well, to incorporate that into their life.
Speaker 2:I think it's wonderful in many, many ways Sure, and you can relax and you know.
Speaker 3:Absolutely I do. After eight hours of work I come home and after a short rest I come to my studio, and I can do that for hours.
Speaker 2:Are you ready to share about your gallery, or is it too soon to tell us about that?
Speaker 3:The dates are not and the location is still pending, but absolutely I'll post it on my site and I think it would be great and I think it would be great my. The proceeds will go to charity for children and that's. I think it's just a good way to bring a community together and help for a good cause.
Speaker 2:Oh, I love that. Well, speaking of that, how do our listeners find you get in touch with your surgery center?
Speaker 3:Absolutely. The website is greatercharlotteoralsurgery. com or easier one would be ioralsurgery. com. We I have a very caring staff, really very proud of them. I can't do this by myself, obviously, and we make a good team and we take very good care of people. It was a try. If you have any oral surgical needs of any kind, any facial surgery concerns or needs, please come see us.
Speaker 2:And you have three locations Share with us. Again, you said Pineville by the hospital.
Speaker 3:Pineville by the Pineville Atrium Hospital, in Steel Creek area and in Gastonia.
Speaker 2:And you have three separate phone numbers I see online on your website, depending on which location the number is 704-542-9600. If you just call they can guide you. Well, thank you so much, doctor, for your time. It's what you do is just absolutely fascinating.
Speaker 3:Thank you very much for having me Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to GNPSouthCharlotte. com. That's GNPSouthCharlotte. com, or call 980-351-5719.