Your gums play a crucial role in your oral health and the appearance of your smile. Issues such as a gummy smile, gum disease, and tongue-tie can make it difficult to speak clearly, smile with confidence, or enjoy the comfort of a strong, stable bite.
As a trusted periodontist in Coeur d’Alene, ID, Dr. Shaun Whitney is a specialist with years of advanced training to treat even the most complex soft tissue problems.
Soft tissue treatment in Coeur d’Alene, ID, involves procedures that repair, reshape, or regenerate the gums and surrounding tissues to promote better oral health and smile aesthetics. These treatments may be performed to address damage caused by gum disease, correct cosmetic concerns, or improve oral function. You may benefit from soft tissue treatment if you have:
Crown lengthening in Coeur d’Alene, ID, is a procedure that reshapes gum and bone tissue to expose more of the natural tooth structure. We often recommend crown lengthening when there’s not enough visible tooth to support a restoration, like a crown or filling. This treatment can also improve the proportions of your smile by correcting a “gummy” appearance and enhancing overall aesthetics. With our advanced techniques, recovery is comfortable, and results are beautifully natural.
A gum graft is a reliable method for correcting gum recession and protecting exposed tooth roots. During the procedure, we’ll use a small amount of donor tissue, often from the roof of your mouth, to rebuild a healthy gum line and prevent further damage. A gum graft in Coeur d’Alene, ID, not only improves your smile’s appearance but also strengthens your gums and reduces tooth sensitivity.
LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is a revolutionary way to treat gum disease without scalpels or stitches. Using precise laser energy, we remove infected tissue and bacteria while encouraging healthy tissue to reattach to the teeth.
This procedure promotes natural healing and bone regeneration with minimal discomfort or downtime. LANAP in Coeur d’Alene, ID, is an excellent option for patients seeking a modern, gentle solution to periodontal disease.
Osseous surgery, also called flap surgery or pocket reduction surgery, is designed to treat advanced gum disease when deep infection has severely damaged the bone sockets that support your teeth.
The procedure involves carefully assessing the bone and tooth roots to remove bacteria and hardened buildup. We then reshape the bone to create a smoother, healthier surface for gum reattachment. While it may sound extensive, modern techniques make osseous surgery far more comfortable and predictable than ever before.
A frenectomy is a quick and simple procedure that removes or modifies a small fold of tissue called the frenum, which attaches the tongue, lips, or cheeks to the gums. When the frenum is too tight or thick, it can cause spacing between teeth, speech difficulties, or feeding issues in children.
Performing a frenectomy in Coeur d’Alene, ID, can significantly improve oral function and prevent long-term problems, such as speech impediments, nutritional issues, gum recession, and tooth misalignments. We offer gentle laser frenectomies for fast healing and minimal discomfort.
Gingivectomies remove excess gum tissue to enhance oral health and create a more aesthetically pleasing gumline. We often recommend this procedure when chronic inflammation, medication, or a medical issue has caused the gums to become overgrown.
By reshaping the gums, a gingivectomy helps reduce bacterial buildup and makes daily cleaning easier, leading to a healthier, cleaner, and more confident smile.
After completing gum disease treatment in Coeur d’Alene, ID, periodontal maintenance helps you maintain healthy gums in the long term. These specialized cleanings remove bacteria from deep pockets and around the gumline to prevent infection from returning.
Regular visits enable our team to monitor your progress and maintain your gums in excellent condition. It’s an essential part of maintaining healthy gums in the long term.
Periodontal disease and tooth loss in Coeur d’Alene, ID, can cause the jawbone to shrink. Ridge augmentation is a special type of bone graft that restores the normal volume and shape of the jawbone.
This helps to create a stable foundation for tooth replacements like dental implants and restore the normal contours of your face so you can enjoy a strong, healthy, confident smile again.
Often referred to as a “deep cleaning,” scaling and root planing is a specialized procedure that removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gumline. This creates a healthy surface to help the gums heal and reattach to the teeth.
This nonsurgical treatment is often the first step in managing gum disease and preventing it from progressing. With early intervention, it may be enough to stop infection, preserve your gums, and help you avoid more extensive procedures later.
