Many people have receding gums, where teeth start to look longer than before, and tooth roots are exposed. Gum recession can cause dental problems, and pinhole gum surgery is a minimally invasive treatment. At Clock Tower Dental, we specialize in advanced techniques like pinhole gum surgery to restore your gum health and protect your smile.
This guide explains the causes of gum recession. We explain how this procedure works and the benefits and recovery afterward.
What Can Cause Gum Recession?
Gum recession can be caused by different factors, including:
- Gum disease.
- Brushing your teeth too aggressively.
- Genetics, as some people have naturally thinner gums.
- Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism).
When gums recede, it can cause problems like tooth decay and tooth sensitivity. It can also increase the risk of tooth loss and bone loss around your teeth.
What Is Pinhole Surgery?
This procedure is a patented technique developed by Dr John Chao. Pinhole gum rejuvenation doesn’t require any stitches, and no gum grafting is involved.
During treatment, our dentist or periodontist, Dr. Richard Nejat, will make a small hole in your gum so a special instrument can be inserted.
The instrument helps gently free gum tissue; once it is loosened, we can reposition it over the exposed tooth roots. Finally, tiny pieces of collagen can be inserted into the hole, which helps it to heal more easily. It doesn’t take long for the hole in your gum to close naturally, eliminating the need for stitches.
Because treatment is minimally invasive, there is less discomfort afterward and fewer symptoms like bleeding or swelling. You should be able to see the results of treatment quite quickly.
The Pinhole Procedure
Initially, you will need a gum evaluation to assess if you are a suitable candidate for this procedure. It may be less suitable for anyone who has experienced severe jawbone loss or other dental problems requiring treatment, such as severe and active gum disease. Our periodontics team specializes in diagnosing and treating gum conditions, ensuring you receive the most appropriate care to restore and maintain your oral health.
If we determine you are a good candidate, below is a brief outline of what to expect.
Professional Dental Cleaning
Before your gum restoration, we recommend that your teeth are cleaned professionally. This ensures all plaque and tartar buildup is removed before we begin your treatment.
Local Anesthetic
Local anesthesia is used to numb your gums. We ensure you cannot feel any pain or discomfort during your treatment.
Preparing Your Gum Tissue
Our dentist will make small holes in your gum to begin carefully loosening your gum tissue. Afterward, these holes should begin to close in as little as a day or two.
Repositioning Your Gums
Once the appropriate amount of gum tissue is loosened, it is repositioned gently over the exposed tooth roots.
Reviewing After-Care Instructions
Before you leave our dental office, we will carefully review all after-care instructions, ensuring you know how to care for your mouth while you heal.
Recovery
Minimal downtime is needed, and you should be able to resume your normal activities within a few days. If you have any discomfort, it should be minor and easy to control with over-the-counter pain relief.
Follow-Up Appointment
A follow-up appointment will be scheduled with you so we can assess the effectiveness of your pinhole procedure.
Benefits of Gum Pinhole Surgery
The benefits of your gum restoration treatment can include:
- Treatment is minimally invasive.
- Gum rejuvenation is quick and can only take an hour or 2 to complete.
- Surgery can help protect and preserve natural teeth.
- Gum rejuvenation can provide aesthetic benefits, improving the appearance of your smile.
- Treatment can help avoid more costly or invasive procedures like conventional gum grafting.
How Much Does Gum Pinhole Surgery Cost?
The cost of treatment depends on the number of teeth requiring surgery. We can give you an accurate estimate when you visit us, but dental insurance will most likely cover it. Typically, the cost is lower than traditional gum grafting.
Is Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation Permanent?
This procedure should provide permanent results if you follow our after-care instructions carefully. It’s important to gently clean your teeth and gums using proper brushing techniques, which our hygiene team can demonstrate.
If you have issues like bruxism, use a night guard to prevent this habit from placing unwanted stress on your gum tissue. Otherwise, untreated bruxism could cause further gum recession.
Gum restoration surgery is minimally invasive and can achieve great results. We assess every person carefully before recommending this procedure to help ensure an optimal treatment outcome.