Dentist Silverlake LA

Oral Surgery Procedures We Offer:

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth — the third molars — are the last teeth to emerge, typically between ages 17 and 25. Because most jaws lack the space to accommodate them properly, wisdom teeth frequently become impacted: stuck beneath the gum, growing at an angle, or pressing against neighboring teeth. Left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth can cause persistent pain, infection, cyst formation, and crowding damage to adjacent teeth.

Dr. Aminpour extracts both fully erupted and deeply impacted wisdom teeth safely and efficiently, with IV sedation available so the entire procedure is completely pain-free. All four wisdom teeth can typically be removed in a single appointment, and most patients return to normal activity within three to five days.

You may need wisdom teeth removal if you experience: jaw pain or stiffness, swelling or tenderness near the back of the mouth, recurring infection or bad taste, difficulty opening your mouth fully, or crowding of your other teeth.

Dental Implants & Tooth Replacement

Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. A small titanium post is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it gradually fuses with the surrounding bone through a process called osseointegration. Once fully integrated — typically over three to six months — the implant serves as a permanent, stable foundation for a crown, bridge, or full-arch prosthesis that looks, feels, and functions exactly like a natural tooth.

Unlike dentures or bridges, implants preserve the jawbone, maintain facial structure, and do not require alteration of neighboring teeth. With proper care, they are designed to last a lifetime.

We offer single tooth implants, implant-supported bridges, implant-supported dentures, and full-arch reconstructions including All-on-4 and All-on-6 for patients missing most or all of their teeth.

Surgical Tooth Extractions

When a tooth is too damaged, decayed, or structurally compromised to save — or when a tooth is blocking proper jaw or orthodontic development — surgical extraction is the appropriate treatment. Unlike a simple extraction performed with forceps, a surgical extraction involves making a small incision in the gum tissue to access and remove teeth that are broken at the gumline, fused to the bone, or otherwise inaccessible by conventional means.

Dr. Aminpour’s advanced surgical training allows him to remove even the most difficult teeth with minimal trauma to surrounding bone and soft tissue, significantly reducing healing time and post-operative discomfort.

Common reasons for surgical extraction include: severe decay or fracture below the gumline, failed root canal treatment, teeth causing crowding before orthodontic treatment, and preparation for dentures or implants.

Bone Grafting & Ridge Preservation

When a tooth is removed or lost, the jawbone beneath it begins to resorb — shrinking in volume and density, sometimes losing 25% or more of its width within the first year. This bone loss can make future dental implant placement difficult or impossible without additional intervention.

Bone grafting rebuilds and preserves this critical bone volume by placing graft material — synthetic, donor, or in some cases your own bone — into the extraction site or deficient area. When performed at the time of extraction, this is called a socket preservation graft, and it is often the simplest, most cost-effective way to protect the implant site before it’s needed.

We also offer sinus lift grafting for patients who need implants in the upper back jaw, where the sinus cavity often limits available bone height. Lateral and vertical ridge augmentation procedures are available for patients with more significant bone deficiency.

Expose & Bond for Impacted Teeth

When a permanent tooth — most commonly an upper canine — fails to erupt and remains trapped beneath the gum tissue, it can disrupt the entire arch and prevent proper bite alignment. The expose-and-bond procedure is performed in coordination with your orthodontist to guide this tooth into its correct position.

Dr. Aminpour surgically exposes the impacted tooth by removing the overlying gum tissue, then bonds a small orthodontic bracket and gold chain directly to the tooth’s surface. Your orthodontist uses gentle tension through the chain to guide the tooth into proper alignment over the following months.

This procedure is most common in teenagers and young adults with impacted upper canines or premolars and is often performed under IV sedation for maximum comfort.

Corrective Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)

Some bite problems — severe underbites, overbites, open bites, crossbites, and facial asymmetries — are skeletal in origin and cannot be corrected with orthodontics alone. Orthognathic surgery repositions the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both to correct these underlying skeletal discrepancies.

The results are transformative: improved chewing function, clearer speech, relief from TMJ pain, better airway alignment (which can treat obstructive sleep apnea), and significant improvement in facial balance and appearance.

Jaw surgery is typically planned in close coordination with an orthodontist, with 12–18 months of pre-surgical orthodontic preparation followed by the surgical procedure and a period of post-surgical orthodontics to finalize the bite.

TMJ / TMD Evaluation & Treatment

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull and is involved in every bite, word, and yawn. When this joint is inflamed, displaced, or structurally compromised — a condition known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD) — it can cause chronic jaw pain, clicking or locking, headaches, ear pain, facial tension, and difficulty chewing.

Dr. Aminpour evaluates TMJ disorders with a thorough clinical examination and 3D imaging to identify the root cause. Treatment is tailored to the individual and may include occlusal splints, physical therapy referral, arthrocentesis (minimally invasive joint lavage), or surgical repair in severe cases.

We always pursue the most conservative, least invasive approach first.

Oral Pathology & Biopsy

Any unusual sore, lump, white or red patch, or persistent lesion in the mouth, on the lips, under the tongue, or along the jaw warrants prompt evaluation. Oral cancer is among the most treatable cancers when caught early — and among the most dangerous when detected late.

Dr. Aminpour performs incisional and excisional biopsies of suspicious oral tissue, with specimens sent to an accredited oral pathology laboratory for diagnosis. Common conditions evaluated include leukoplakia, erythroplakia, fibroma, mucocele, periapical cysts, dentigerous cysts, and odontogenic tumors.

If you have noticed any change in your mouth’s appearance or feel that has persisted for more than two weeks, do not wait — schedule an evaluation. Routine oral cancer screenings are also included as part of every comprehensive dental exam at our office.

Sedation & Anesthesia: Without the Anxiety

Dental anxiety is one of the most common reasons people delay necessary oral surgery — and we’ve built our practice around eliminating that barrier entirely. Dr. Aminpour is fully trained, licensed, and credentialed to administer IV sedation and general anesthesia right in our office. You don’t need a hospital, a separate anesthesiologist, or an intimidating surgical facility.

You arrive, we take care of everything, and you wake up with your procedure complete — often without any memory of it at all. Recovery happens in our comfortable post-operative area, and a trusted adult can take you home within a few hours.

Your Sedation Options:

IV Sedation (Conscious Sedation) Medication is delivered intravenously, producing a deeply relaxed, drowsy state. You remain technically conscious but are completely unaware of the procedure and will have little to no memory of it afterward. Ideal for moderate to significant dental anxiety, wisdom teeth removal, implant placement, and most routine oral surgery. Fast-acting and easily adjustable during the procedure.

General Anesthesia Full unconsciousness for complex procedures, severe dental phobia, or patients with special needs. You are completely asleep and feel absolutely nothing. Administered and continuously monitored by Dr. Aminpour with real-time vital sign monitoring throughout.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) A mild inhaled sedative that reduces anxiety and increases comfort. Wears off within minutes, so you can drive yourself home. Often used for simpler procedures or in combination with local anesthesia for patients with mild anxiety.

Local Anesthesia Only For patients who prefer to remain fully alert, local anesthetic injections numb the surgical area completely. You will not feel pain, though you may sense pressure or movement. Suitable for simple extractions and minor procedures in calm, comfortable patients.

What to Expect: Your Oral Surgery Journey 

Step 1 — Consultation & Diagnosis You meet with Dr. Aminpour for a comprehensive evaluation. We take 3D imaging as needed for precise surgical planning, review your complete medical history, discuss all treatment options, and answer every question you have. You’ll leave with a clear treatment plan and a full cost breakdown before anything is scheduled.

Step 2 — Pre-Operative Preparation You’ll receive detailed pre-op instructions tailored to your specific procedure and sedation type. If you’re receiving IV sedation or general anesthesia, you’ll need to fast for several hours beforehand and arrange for a trusted adult to drive you home. We handle all prior authorization and insurance verification before your procedure day.

Step 3 — Day of Surgery You’ll be welcomed by our team, checked in, and prepared comfortably. Sedation takes effect within minutes. Dr. Aminpour performs the procedure while our clinical team monitors your vitals continuously. Most procedures take one to two hours.

Step 4 — Recovery & Post-Op Care After sedation, you’ll rest in our recovery area until you’re stable and comfortable. Before leaving, you’ll receive written post-operative instructions, any necessary prescriptions, and our direct line for after-hours questions. Your follow-up appointment is scheduled before you go.

Step 5 — Healing & Follow-Up We monitor healing at scheduled follow-up visits and are available by phone throughout recovery. Once healing is complete, Dr. Barkhordar coordinates any restorative work — such as placing a crown on a new implant — ensuring completely continuous care without ever leaving our office.

Frequently Asked Questions about Oral Surgery (FAQ):

How long does wisdom tooth removal take? Removing all four wisdom teeth typically takes 30 to 90 minutes. With IV sedation, the experience feels near-instantaneous. Recovery is generally three to five days, with most swelling resolving within a week.

Is IV sedation safe? Yes. IV sedation administered by a credentialed oral and maxillofacial surgeon with continuous vital sign monitoring is extremely safe. Dr. Aminpour is fully licensed to administer IV anesthesia in the office setting, and tens of millions of sedation procedures are performed safely in oral surgery offices every year.

Do I need a referral to see Dr. Aminpour? No referral is required. You can call our office directly to schedule a consultation. If your dentist has recommended oral surgery, you’re welcome to bring any existing X-rays, though we may take our own 3D imaging for precise surgical planning.

Do you accept dental insurance for oral surgery? Yes. We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans and will verify your coverage before your procedure. Many oral surgery procedures are partially or fully covered by dental — and in some cases medical — insurance. We also offer flexible financing for any out-of-pocket costs.

How painful is recovery from oral surgery? Some discomfort after oral surgery is normal, but the vast majority of patients manage it comfortably with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication and ice packs. Dr. Aminpour’s minimally invasive techniques significantly reduce post-operative swelling and discomfort. Most patients feel back to normal within two to four days for simple procedures.

How long does the dental implant process take? The surgical placement itself takes one to two hours per implant. The full process — from placement to final crown — takes three to six months, as the implant must fuse with the jawbone before the permanent restoration is attached. In some cases, same-day or immediate-load implants are possible.

Can I eat before oral surgery? If you are receiving IV sedation or general anesthesia, you must not eat or drink anything for at least six to eight hours before your procedure. This is a strict safety requirement. For procedures under local anesthesia only, light eating is generally permitted. You’ll receive specific fasting instructions at your consultation.

What is an impacted tooth? An impacted tooth is one that is unable to fully erupt through the gumline because it is blocked by other teeth, bone, or soft tissue. Wisdom teeth are the most commonly impacted, but upper canines and premolars can also become impacted. Untreated impacted teeth can lead to infection, cyst development, and damage to neighboring teeth and should be evaluated promptly.