The Pinhole Surgical Technique™
SCALPEL & SUTURE-FREE PROCEDURE TO EFFECTIVELY TREAT GUM RECESSION
Both Dr. Cheng and Dr. Shin are Certified Pinhole™ Clinicians.
The Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST), invented and patented by John Chao, DDS, MAGD, is a scalpel-free, suture-free procedure for correcting gum recession. Through a small hole made by a needle, our doctors use specially designed instruments to gently loosen the gum tissue and glide it over the receded part of the tooth. Since there is no cutting or stitching, patients can expect minimal post-operative symptoms (pain, swelling and bleeding). Most patients also are pleasantly surprised by the instant cosmetic improvement.
If you have been diagnosed with receding gums or are showing signs of gum recession, we recommend the Pinhole Surgical Technique PST™ to restore your beautiful smile. Because this procedure does not have incisions or sutures, patients experience a faster recovery time and, if needed, multiple teeth can be treated at once.
The Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST™) is a groundbreaking advancement in the field of dentistry and periodontal care. It is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional gum grafting (replacing lost gum tissue with sections taken from the roof of the mouth.) PST™ often proves to be an ideal solution for patients with receding gums, as it provides optimal results with a faster, more comfortable recovery.
Our doctors have undergone extensive training on the Pinhole technique. We are proud to offer patients of Madison Avenue Periodontics this innovative new solution for gum recession. If you would like to learn more about the pinhole technique, we encourage you to schedule an appointment to discuss how it can rejuvenate both the overall appearance and, most importantly, the health of your teeth.
To begin the procedure, your teeth are cleaned and the gum tissue in the area of concern is numbed with a local anesthetic. Our physician will then use a specialized dental instrument to make a small hole above the receding area. Through this entry point, a small, angled instrument is inserted to release gum tissue from the underlying bone. The gum is then pulled to its proper place so it is draping over the exposed tooth root. To complete the procedure, collagen strips are inserted to reinforce the new gum placement and to stimulate collagen growth.
While PST™ is typically performed on just one or two teeth, it can correct many teeth in the same appointment. Depending on the number of teeth treated, the procedure takes about 20 minutes for the first several teeth. An entire mouth averages about an hour to an hour and a half. Patients can generally look forward to instant results and a short recovery.
RECOVERY PROCESS
Unlike gum grafting, which can take 3-4 weeks to recover, there is little to no downtime following the Pinhole procedure. Patients may experience some sensitivity, but they typically feel comfortable enough to resume normal eating by that same evening. Because PST™ does not traumatize tissue as in traditional gum grafting, there is usually only minimal discomfort and patients can benefit from their beautiful new smile as soon as the procedure has been completed.
