Dental Surgery

Losing teeth can cause remaining teeth to shift, rotate, and become crooked, leaving you with a bad bite and unsightly spaces that can, in turn, make chewing food more painful and home care more difficult. Oral surgery for dental implants can help restore the form of your natural teeth and their function, whether you need to replace one tooth or a whole jaw. Dental implants can also be used to help secure dentures, preventing them from causing irritation due to rubbing and clicking noises, or as an alternative to partial dentures or a crown-and-bridge treatment.

The Dental Implant Procedure

1. One of our dental surgeons will examine your mouth, take x-rays, and discuss your dental history, wants, and needs to determine if dental implants are right for you.
2. If you are a candidate for this oral surgery procedure, we will then place the dental implant below the gumline.
3. The artificial roots are then given enough time to stabilize, allowing the implant to begin reinforcing your jawbone and prevent further bone loss.
4. Finally, we will attach a replacement tooth crown above the gumline to the implant and provide with care instructions.

Unlike regular dentures which sit on top of the gums, implant stabilized dentures use attachments to clip onto implants that have been inserted into the jawbone to help keep the dentures firmly in place. There are two types of implant stabilized dentures:

Ball-Retained Dentures

Also known as stud-attachment dentures, ball-retained dentures use attachments that are designed to fit onto the implants’ metal attachments. In most cases, the implant attachments are ball-shaped and the denture attachments are more like sockets. The ball-shaped attachments are designed to fit into the denture attachment sockets.

Bar-Retained Dentures

Bar-retained dentures require between two to five implants in the jawbone. A metal bar that curves around the jawbone is then attached to all of the implants and the denture is fitted over the bar. The implants or dentures or both may have attachments on them to help clip them together.

Dental bridges are an effective solution for replacing missing teeth, filling gaps, and restoring the natural alignment of your smile. When a tooth is missing, it can affect chewing, speaking, and even the position of surrounding teeth. A dental bridge uses the healthy teeth on either side of the gap, called abutment teeth, to anchor artificial teeth, known as pontics. In some cases, the abutment teeth are gently reshaped to hold crowns, which secure the bridge in place and create a natural-looking, stable restoration.

Missing teeth can also cause neighbouring teeth to shift, change your bite, and make it harder to maintain proper oral hygiene. By closing the gap, a dental bridge helps protect the alignment of your remaining teeth, improves function for eating and speaking, and restores the appearance of a complete smile. Bridges are a practical, non-surgical solution for patients who want to replace one or more missing teeth efficiently and effectively.

There are different types of dental bridges available, and our dental team will help you select the option that best fits your oral health, lifestyle, and goals. Modern dental materials and techniques allow bridges to blend seamlessly with natural teeth, providing a durable, long-lasting solution for missing teeth.

Whether you’re replacing a single tooth or multiple consecutive teeth, dental bridges can help you regain full oral function, maintain proper bite alignment, and feel confident in your smile once again. They are a reliable and practical tooth replacement solution that restores both the health and appearance of your teeth.

Oral surgery sedation can be used to reduce mild to moderate levels of anxiety and fear and is especially ideal for adult patients who are dental phobic or whose anxiety level rises to an uncomfortable level at just the thought of going to the dentist. Depending on the type of dental work being completed, we can provide you with IV sedation, oral sedation (pills), or nitrous oxide (laughing gas). All our IV sedation patients are monitored by a registered nurse onsite.

In order to determine which type of sedation will work best for you, we will:

• Review your medical history—we will thoroughly review your health care needs and current medications to predict any possible interactions and how the drug will be metabolized.
• Consider the length of the procedure—before determining which type of sedation will work best for you, we will give you a good idea of the duration of each treatment and the level of care required after the procedure. In some cases, patients choose to have multiple oral surgery procedures completed at once while under sedation.
• Consider the comfort level needed—we will discuss your level of anxiety and fear, past experiences, and what we can provide to help you feel the most comfortable during oral surgery.

Since wisdom teeth completely mature and erupt into the mouth after the jawbone has fully developed, there is usually not enough room for them, causing them to put pressure on existing teeth. This can cause severe discomfort, pain, and can cause other teeth to shift. Wisdom teeth that do not come in to place correctly are called “impacted”. Since there is no way to tell when an impacted molar will cause trouble, the best way to avoid discomfort and complicated treatment is to remove wisdom teeth before they start causing problems.

Impacted wisdom teeth that are left untreated by oral surgery can cause:

• Discomfort or pain
• Shifting teeth
• Sore gums
• Face pain
• Jaw pain
• Reduced ability to open mouth
• Infection
• Swelling
• Gum disease
• Bad breath
• Cavities
• Jawbone cysts

Bone grafting is an oral surgery procedure that works by adding bone material to the jawbone to augment its depth or width or to add extra support for your natural teeth or for a dental implant. In most cases, bone grafting material is sourced from bones somewhere else in your body; however, in some cases, donated bone, animal bone, or synthetic bone can be used for the procedure.

Major Bone Grafts

Major bone grafts are for when a large area of your jaw needs to be augmented and is most commonly used in preparation for the placement of many implants. During major bone grafting procedures, bone is removed from the donor site in your own body like the shin or the hip. Once the bone has been harvested, it is then attached to your jaw with small titanium screws. Major bone grafts are typically completed six to nine months before any implants are placed and are performed under sedation or general anesthesia.

Minor Bone Grafts

Minor bone grafts are used for areas of the jaw in which the bone requires only a slight augmentation like replacing a single tooth.

If you’re noticing receding gums, pinhole gum surgery offers a gentle, minimally invasive way to restore your natural gumline. Instead of scalpels, stitches, or grafts, a small opening is made in your existing gum tissue, and specialized instruments are used to carefully reposition the gums over exposed tooth roots. Collagen may also be added to support areas of gum recession, helping your gums heal naturally and promoting a healthier, fuller gumline.

This non-invasive alternative to traditional gum grafting is designed with patient comfort in mind. Using your own gum tissue, the procedure provides natural-looking results with less post-procedure discomfort, no sutures, and a faster recovery. Many patients notice improved gum health and feel more confident about their smile after treatment, making it an excellent choice for those seeking receding gums treatment, gum rejuvenation surgery, or a safe, effective way to protect their oral health.

At Lethbridge Dental Services South, our experienced team specializes in minimally invasive gum procedures, gum recession treatment, and non-surgical gum rejuvenation. If you’re considering pinhole gum surgery, give us a call today to schedule a consultation, ask your questions, and find out how this advanced treatment can help restore healthier, more confident gums.

Sinus Lift

A sinus lift, or sinus augmentation, is a common procedure used to increase bone height in the upper jaw—specifically in the area of the back teeth—when there is not enough bone to support a dental implant. This may occur due to natural anatomy, past tooth loss, or gradual bone resorption over time.

During a sinus lift procedure, the sinus membrane is gently raised and bone graft material is placed beneath it. Over time, the grafted material integrates with your existing bone, potentially creating a more supportive structure for dental implant placement.

Our clinic in Lethbridge offers sinus lift procedures as part of a treatment plan for patients seeking implant-based tooth replacement. Treatment plans are based on a full clinical assessment, which may include diagnostic imaging and a review of your overall oral health.

Who May Benefit from a Sinus Lift

A sinus lift may be considered if you:

• Are missing upper molars or premolars
• Have reduced bone height in the upper jaw
• Have been informed that your sinus position or bone volume may not support implants

Suitability for this procedure is determined after a consultation and diagnostic evaluation.

Why Bone Grafting May Be Recommended

In cases where the upper jaw lacks the height or density required to support dental implants, sinus lift surgery may be recommended. This procedure can be part of a broader plan to restore oral function and support future implant placement when appropriate.

Request a Consultation in Lethbridge

If you are considering dental implants and have been advised that bone loss may be a concern, contact our office to schedule a consultation. We’ll discuss whether a sinus lift may be part of your treatment plan and provide information tailored to your specific oral health needs.