Periodontics and the Pinhole Surgical Technique

Woman in dental chair looking in a mirror at her teeth and gumsAs we age, it is natural for the gums to start receding. Gum recession can cause self-esteem issues to occur as receding gums do tend to age your appearance. Why do the gums recede and what can be done about it?

For serious gum recession issues, patients need to visit a Boston Periodontist to determine the best course of action to take. Dr. Guzman specializes in gum disease treatment and will be able to find the best treatment method for your situation.

Why Do Gums Recede?

Age does play a factor in gum recession, but it is also caused by other lifestyle factors including smoking, eating, and drinking. Hereditary conditions and health conditions can lead to weakened gum tissue, causing a recession. One treatment to consider is the pinhole surgical technique.

What Is the Pinhole Surgical Technique?

Traditional gum surgery involved cutting and stitching the gums back together to pull them back over the teeth into the proper position. The painful procedure not only caused many patients pain, but it also required grafting from other tissue of the mouth, leading to additional pain and healing time. The pinhole surgical technique has improved upon this surgery by reducing the healing time and the pain. In fact, we like to say this surgery is the opposite of the old gum grafting surgery! Dr. Guzman specializes in pinhole surgery providing patients with excellent outcomes. Here are some of the benefits you will experience from pinhole surgery:

  • Minimal discomfort. Unlike gum grafting, pinhole surgery does not require grafting. There is a minimal invasion with pinhole surgery as the existing gum tissue is simply shifted into the desired position.
  • Faster Recovery time. Pinhole surgery will have patients back to their daily routine quicker. Most patients can eat and drink normally after about one day. There is no cutting or suturing, so you won’t have the frustrating healing time as you do with other oral procedures.
  • Permanent. Pinhole surgery is a permanent solution to gum recession. While some patients can see slight changes over the years due to genetics, most patients will see positive results over their lifetime.

What to Expect

The pinhole surgery lasts approximately 2 hours for 1-3 teeth based on the severity of your gum recession. To provide an accurate estimate, we recommend contacting our office to schedule a consultation. Dr. Guzman will evaluate your gum recession problem and determine how your treatment will go. Patients may need multiple visits, but Dr. Guzman will be able to give you the proper determination on the entire process.

During the visit, Dr. Guzman will numb the area where he needs to work. The procedure is minimally invasive so patients are normally comfortable during and after the procedure. There is no surgery or stitches to worry about, so the overall at-home recovery only involves gentle brushing of the top of your teeth and no flossing or intense brushing for at least a day or two. Contact our office to discuss the pinhole surgical technique in Boston and finally be proud to share your smile again!

Related Posts