Gum Rejuvenation with Pinhole® Surgical Technique at Our Victoria Dental Office
If you have noticed increased tooth sensitivity without having a cavity, and/or pain near your gum line, you may be suffering from gum recession. A dentist can confirm this by looking at your gums and using a periodontal measure, or probe, to measure the width and height of your gums.
​
If your gums have receded to the point of causing sensitivity or pain, your dentist may recommend a treatment to stop the pain and prevent further gum deterioration. At Dr. Crapo & Associates in Victoria, we treat receding gums with the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST). Keep reading to learn more about this technique, or watch the videos posted on this page.
Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST)
Until 2000, the only treatment for gum recession was a grafting surgery that required cutting tissue from the roof of a patient’s mouth, lifting their gums, and placing the tissue over the teeth where the gum has receded. The graft is stitched in place, and the donor location is also sutured.
​
Then Dr. John Chao developed and patented a new, less invasive treatment for gum recession. In Dr. Chao’s treatment, a small entry point, or pinhole, is made in the gum near the place of recession. Then, a special instrument is inserted into the hole and used to free and work the gum back down the tooth into a healthy position. Collagen strips are placed inside the gums to hold them in place. The pinhole heals quickly, and the replaced gums remain in place. Dr. Chao taught the doctors at our clinic this incredible Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST). Please call us to find out if pinhole gum rejuvenation is right for you.
FAQs About Gum Recession & Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST)
What is gum recession?
Gum recession refers to the loss of gum tissue along the gumline. This can occur as a result of periodontal disease (gingivitis, periodontitis, advanced periodontitis), the natural aging process, or abrasive habits when it comes to brushing the teeth.
​
Why should gum recession be taken seriously?
When gum recession occurs, the root structure of the tooth becomes exposed. This means that tooth decay and other problems can affect the teeth along the gumline and beneath it. Since healthy gums are essential for a healthy mouth, getting gum recession treated is important for lasting dental wellness.
​
What is the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST)?
The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is a minimally invasive option for treating gum recession. Unlike traditional grafting techniques, PST is incision and suture free.
​
All of the tools and techniques used to perform the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique were created by Dr. John Chao, who trained our doctor.
​
How does the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST) differ from traditional gum grafting?
Traditional gum recession treatments involve the use of donor tissue or soft tissue grafts in order to rebuild the gumline. This soft tissue would be sutured in place and would join with existing gum tissue as it healed.
​
While this traditional grafting treatment is effective, comparable results with better patient experience can be achieved through the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique.
​
How is Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST) performed?
During the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique, a needle is used to make a small hole in the patient’s existing gum tissue. Through this pinhole, special instruments are used to gently loosen the gum tissue. These tools help expand and slide the gumline to cover the exposed root structure.
​
There are no grafts, no sutures, and no incisions needed with the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique. It simply involves the adjustment of the existing tissue.
​
What are the benefits of Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST)?
The benefits of the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique are many:
-
Less discomfort for the patient after treatment
-
Faster recovery for the patient than traditional grafting
-
No need for uncomfortable sutures
-
No need for scalpels or invasive surgical tools
-
No need to take donor tissue from the patient’s palate
-
Excellent, natural-looking, long-lasting results
​
Why Choose Pinhole Gum Surgery?
If you are still wondering if you should choose pinhole gum surgery, please watch the videos on this page. They will help you see that this procedure is the quickest and least painful gum rejuvenation treatment available. There is very little pain and recuperation time. More than one spot can be treated at once, and there is almost immediate cosmetic improvement along the gum line. Furthermore, leaving gum recession untreated can result in damage to the tissues and bones of your mouth and possibly even tooth loss.
How long does pinhole surgery last?
The length of a pinhole gum surgery will depend on how many teeth require gum rejuvenation. Several pinholes can be made in one appointment, which allows a maximum of teeth to be treated in one appointment.
Is pinhole technique painful?
The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is scalpel and suture free, so there will be little to no post-operative swelling, bruising, bleeding, or pain. During the procedure, a local anesthetic or other pain-relief measure may be taken to make the procedure as painless as possible.
