Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss among American adults. In its more advanced stages, gum disease can lead to gum recession. This is when the gum tissue deteriorates and exposes more of the tooth roots. When this happens, patients experience pain and sensitivity and, eventually, the teeth may fall out.

There are several treatments for gum recession, but our dentist recommends the pinhole technique to qualified patients. This minimally invasive alternative was first used in 2006 and has provided successful results ever since.  It also offers medical and cosmetic benefits without the need for scalpels and sutures.

Continue reading to learn more about this advanced treatment.

The Pinhole Surgical Technique

This scalpel-free, suture-free procedure begins with a local anesthetic. Once your gums are numbed, the dentist will insert a tiny needle in the receding gum tissue to create the pinhole. The pinhole allows the dentist to place a device in the hole that stretches the gum into its proper position. Finally, the dentist inserts collagen strips into the pinhole. These collagen strips keep the gums in place and help the gums create new tissue.

The length of this procedure depends on how many teeth are being treated. In most cases, it takes about one to two hours per tooth. Because the treatment is minimally invasive, patients usually only experience mild swelling and discomfort for the first 24 hours. These symptoms can be remedied by taking over-the-counter pain medication. Additionally, your dentist will recommend gentle brushing and eating soft foods.

Candidacy

Though your dentist will have the final say, there are certain factors that determine a person’s candidacy for the pinhole technique. The following qualifications mean you are likely a good candidate for this gum treatment:

• You have dental sensitivity
• You don’t smoke
• You are in good overall health
• You have enough gum tissue

It’s important to note that patients with active gum disease are not suitable candidates for this treatment. However, once you and your dentist have treated the gum disease, and the rest of your mouth is healthy, the Pinhole Technique is a possibility for repairing your gums.

Benefits

The pinhole technique offers a variety of advantages over other gum recession treatments. These benefits include:

• Less invasive: Traditional gum grafting requires a dentist to remove tissue from another part of the patient’s mouth. With the pinhole technique, no surgery is required.
• No scalpels: Only a few tiny pinholes in the gum are required to complete this procedure.
• Less bleeding: Because no incisions are necessary, patients don’t lose a lot of blood during the procedure.
• No sutures: No grafts mean no need for stitches or sutures. The pinholes heal on their own.
• Low risk of complications: This conservative technique lowers patients’ risk of complications during and after the procedure.
• Fast recovery: Patients typically recover much faster than with traditional methods.
• Minimal discomfort: During the procedure, patients experience little to no discomfort. Afterward, the patient may experience minor side effects, but powerful pain medication or extended time off from work won’t be necessary.

Best of all, patients will experience improved dental health and the results will look and feel natural.

Visit an Experienced Dentist

To learn more about this advanced dental technique, contact a dentist who has success completing the pinhole technique.

Dr. Abbey J. Lee has offered the pinhole technique to qualified patients for years. Contact our friendly dental team today at 404-328-7177 to schedule an initial consultation.