Want your gum line to look as stunning as your smile? At Dentistry By Design of Spring Hill, TN, we offer specialized soft tissue treatments to enhance the health and appearance of your gums. Whether you’re concerned about receding gums, uneven tissue, or other issues, Dr. Richard Robinette can help.
Call 931-391-3089 to schedule a consultation at our Spring Hill dental office. Dr. Robinette can help determine the best soft tissue procedure for your needs
Sometimes having too little or too much soft tissue can make you feel self-conscious, can limit essential oral functions, and can even jeopardize your dental health.
Soft tissue refers to the gums, lining of the mouth, lips, cheeks, and tongue. As we age, the soft tissues around our teeth can recede, leading to various functional and cosmetic issues. Soft tissue treatment involves procedures to reshape, augment, or otherwise modify the gums and other oral soft tissues.
Common reasons patients seek soft tissue treatment include:
At Dentistry By Design, Dr. Robinette and his skilled team offer specialized procedures to address these and other gum-related concerns
Gum reshaping, also known as gingivectomy or gum contouring, is a precision treatment that involves sculpting and contouring the gum line to create a more symmetrical look. Gum reshaping can balance out a “gummy” smile or misaligned gum tissue.
We use advanced tools and techniques to conservatively remove excess gum tissue. There’s little to no pain since we numb the area beforehand. The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes, and you’ll be thrilled with how balanced your smile looks after gum reshaping.
Oral frenectomy is a simple procedure that releases abnormal frenulum tissue. A frenulum is a band of tissue that secures the tongue, lips, or cheeks. When this band is too restrictive, it can cause various issues:
Releasing the frenulum (frenectomy) restores a normal range of motion.
Over time, your gums can recede and expose vulnerable tooth roots. Receding gums aren’t just unsightly — they can lead to sensitivity, decay, and tooth loss. Fortunately, we offer gum grafting to rebuild receded gum tissue.
During this regenerative procedure, we take a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth (palate) or use donated tissue. We then surgically place it over the receded gum area to stimulate regeneration. A graft can cover exposed roots, limiting sensitivity and preventing further recession. The new gum line looks perfectly smooth and natural.
Dr. Richard Robinette tailors each soft tissue procedure to enhance the health and aesthetics of your unique smile. With the right treatment, you can achieve:
You’ll meet with Dr. Robinette for an evaluation of your soft tissue concerns. He’ll assess your gums, lips, cheeks, and tongue to determine which treatments are right for you. You’ll discuss your goals and options.
Based on the initial consultation, we’ll develop a customized treatment plan outlining the procedures. We want you to be fully informed and comfortable with your plan.
We’ll provide instructions to prep for your procedure. For gum reshaping or grafting, this may include quitting smoking for a period beforehand since smoking impairs healing. For infants undergoing frenectomy, we may recommend exercises to loosen tissue pre-treatment.
For procedures like gum reshaping and grafting, we numb the area with a local anesthetic. Frenectomy for infants and young children is often done with just topical numbing cream.
Once anesthesia takes effect, the soft tissue procedure is performed.
Recovery time is usually rapid. Initial healing takes about two weeks. During that time, temporary sensitivity and soreness are normal. We’ll review post-procedure instructions for keeping the area clean, eating soft foods, using pain relievers, etc.
We’ll schedule follow-up visits to monitor your healing and results. We want to ensure you’re fully satisfied with the improved aesthetics and function.
Proper oral hygiene and regular visits to our Spring Hill dental office help maintain the results of your soft tissue treatment over the long term. We’re here to help you protect your smile investment.
If you have receding gums, uneven gum lines, excessive gingival display, or restrictive frenulum tissue, you’re likely a candidate for one or more soft tissue treatments. Schedule an exam with a dentist to find out which options are right for you.
Recovery is quick and comfortable after procedures like reshaping, grafting, and frenectomy. There may be mild postoperative soreness, controlled with over-the-counter pain medication. Within two weeks, you’ll be healed enough to enjoy your improved smile.
For newborns and infants, a frenectomy is a very simple, fast procedure. The provider applies topical anesthesia to the area. No shots or drilling is required. They then carefully clip or sever the frenulum tissue using surgical scissors. There may be slight bleeding, quickly controlled through pressure on the area. Recovery usually takes less than a week.
Yes, dentists may use advanced dental lasers for gum reshaping. Lasers allow for precise, controlled removal of tissue with minimal bleeding and fast healing.
Don’t let gum recession, asymmetry, or other issues stop you from smiling confidently. The skilled team at Dentistry By Design of Spring Hill offers specialized soft tissue treatments to help your gums look and function their best.
Contact us today at 931-391-3089 to schedule a consultation! We’re always happy to answer your questions and explain your options.
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