Welcome to East Carolina Implants and Periodontics, your home for advanced periodontal care that helps you keep your smile healthy and confident. Our expertise extends beyond standard services and procedures, allowing our team to offer specialized services like soft tissue surgery to address a variety of oral health concerns. 

Read below to better understand soft tissue surgery in Greenville, NC, and how it can enhance your oral health and overall well-being. Call today to schedule your appointment!

What Is Soft Tissue Surgery?

Soft tissue surgery is a term that refers to surgical procedures involving the gums and other soft tissues in your mouth. These surgical interventions aim to prevent, diagnose, or treat conditions affecting the soft tissues, from simple gum inflammation to severe periodontal diseases. Our dedicated team of dental surgeons employ cutting-edge techniques to perform these procedures with optimal precision and minimal discomfort, helping you to maintain the health and aesthetics of your gums and oral soft tissues.

Reasons Soft Tissue Surgery May Be Needed

Soft tissue surgery may be recommended for a variety of reasons, all aimed at enhancing your oral health. These reasons could include gum disease, aesthetic concerns, or functional problems. 

• Gum disease, if left untreated, can cause severe damage to your oral health, resulting in tooth loss. 
• Aesthetic concerns might include a “gummy” smile where excess gum tissue covers too much of the teeth. 
• Functional problems could include difficulties in eating or speaking due to a restrictive frenulum or uneven gums. 

Additionally, these surgeries are often recommended for patients who have receding gums or those who need dental implants. We always ensure that the necessity for surgery is evaluated carefully, focusing on your individual needs and comfort.

Our Surgical Services

At East Carolina Implants and Periodontics, we offer a range of soft tissue surgical services, including the options mentioned below.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is a procedure often recommended to treat gum recession and prevent further deterioration. This involves carefully grafting healthy gum tissue onto areas where gums have receded, which not only protects the roots of your teeth but also improves the aesthetics of your smile.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is commonly used to prepare a tooth for a dental restoration. It involves removing excess gum and bone tissue to expose more of the tooth’s structure. Crown lengthening can also be used as a cosmetic treatment to reduce a “gummy” smile.

Frenectomy

A frenectomy is a surgical procedure that adjusts or removes the frenulum, a small tissue fold that secures or restricts the movement of certain organs. In oral health, the lingual frenulum under the tongue and the labial frenulum, connecting the inside of the lips to the gums, are often areas of concern. If these frenulum are too tight or short, they can limit mouth movement, affecting speech, eating, and oral hygiene. 

By performing a simple yet effective frenectomy, we can significantly improve oral functionality and quality of life.