Office Hours:
Mon: 11:00am – 5:00pm Tues: 11:00am – 7:30pm Wed: 11:00am – 7:30pm
Thur: 7:30am – 4:00pm Fri: 7:30am – 4:00pm | Sat-Sun: Closed
Oral Surgery
What is oral surgery?
Oral surgery refers to any surgical procedure performed in or around your mouth and jaw. It is a way to improve the function and appearance of your mouth and reduce any potential problems from occurring in the future. Whether you need wisdom teeth extraction or dental implants, oral surgery can help you regain your oral health and feel better than ever before!
Types of oral surgery performed
at TLC Dental Care
At TLC Dental Care, we perform a number of different types of oral surgery:
- Wisdom Teeth Extractions
- Endodontic Surgery
- Periodontal Surgery
- Sinus Lifts
- Bone Grafts
- Cosmetic Gum Surgery
- Operating Room Privileges
- General Anaesthesia
When would I need oral surgery?
Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Removal of wisdom teeth is one of the most common surgical procedures in Canada but one that many general dentists do not feel comfortable doing. Dr. John Tamminen has many years of oral surgery experience, an area in which he enjoys and excels in. We welcome referrals from other general dentists for this particular dental procedure.
Impaction occurs when there is prevention of complete eruption due to lack of space, obstruction or development in an abnormal position. This may result in a tooth erupting partially or not at all. Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to an increased risk of caries and periodontal disease in adjacent teeth, and orthodontic problems in later life.
Endodontic Surgery
Endodontic surgery is often the last hope for retention of a tooth and therefore requires the greatest skill.
Surgery may be used in diagnosis. If you have persistent symptoms but no problems appear on your x-ray, your tooth may have a tiny fracture or canal that could not be detected during nonsurgical treatment. In such a case, surgery allows Dr. Tamminen to examine the entire root of your tooth, find the problem, and provide treatment.
Periodontal Surgery
If Dr. Tamminen diagnoses you with periodontal disease, he may recommend periodontal surgery if the tissue around your teeth is unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical treatment.
Once bacteria spread below the gum line, the toxins they produce will begin to literally dissolve supporting tissue and bone. Pockets will form in the spaces created by this degenerative process. Basically, the more tissue and bone that is dissolved, the bigger these pockets become. Bacteria breed faster in these pockets and as they grow, the quicker the pace of degeneration. If periodontal surgery is not performed to reduce these pockets, the teeth will loosen and eventually fall out. Pocket reduction is a form of periodontal surgery that seeks to stop the degenerative cycle.
Sinus Lifts
A successful Dental Implant operation cannot be undertaken unless you have sufficient depth of bone in your jaw. Dr. John Tamminen gained experience in oral surgery as he worked for over 13 years in isolated communities where referring to a specialist was difficult. Other general dentists often refer their patients to Dr. Tamminen for difficult and complicated treatments.
Unfortunately, if you have lost teeth, the bone that once supported them may have been lost (receded) and lost its substance. Therefore there may be insufficient bone left to support a dental implant. To increase the amount of bone in the upper jaw, we undertake a sinus lift. This procedure involves placing bone-graft material in the sinus cavity immediately above the upper jaw to increase the height and width of bone into which we can place a dental implant.
Bone Grafts
Perhaps you’ve looked into dental implants as an alternative to dentures or bridges to replace missing teeth but when the dentist mentioned that you might need a bone graft, you started having second thoughts. Additional surgery for the sake of implants makes it sound like a much more complicated ordeal. It is, however, a very common procedure.
In order to set a dental implant into the jaw, there must be an adequate structure of existing bone. In some people, the bone is simply too narrow or shallow to provide a stable foundation for implants. As well, disease or decay, probably starting with infection from the teeth that were lost or removed, has weakened the bone so that it is unable to support an implant.
Cosmetic Gum Surgery
Your gum tissue is like a frame that provides form and shape to the top of your tooth. A less than attractive smile results when the integrity of the gum is compromised or the actual gum between your teeth becomes weak.
You should consult with Dr. John Tamminen about cosmetic gum surgery if you believe you have a “gummy smile” (small crown length), gum recession “long teeth”, an uneven gum line due to “short teeth”, gum loss or gums which appear to be collapsing (from missing teeth), dark or black areas between bridges, implants, crowns or teeth, or tooth sensitivity from receding gums.
Operating Room Privileges
Dr. John Tamminen has operating room privileges at Riverview Surgical Suites.
Dr. John Tamminen maintains operating room privileges as a member of the Surgical Department in Alberta Health Care. Having hospital operating room privileges allows Dr. Tamminen the option of performing comprehensive dental treatment to any patient, regardless of age and or special needs that cannot receive treatment performed in a routine office environment or that require general anaesthesia.
General Anaesthesia
For many patients, dental fear provokes a terrifying involuntary reaction of one’s body that prevents them from getting the dental care they need. For these patients, a routine dental treatment can be quite traumatic. Dr. Tamminen and the staff at his office understand your concerns and wish to provide you with dental care in a safe, relaxed and comfortable environment.
Book An Appointment
We look forward to meeting you and taking care of all your dental needs. We always welcome new patients, referrals and dental emergencies. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions, need any assistance, or want to schedule your next dental appointment.
Office
218–7015 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary, Alberta T2H 0L7
Phone
403-258-3997
A denture is a removable dental appliance and a replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.
