The Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST), patented by Dr. John Chao, DDS in 2006, has revolutionized the treatment of gum recession and is a valuable treatment option in our office. We get a lot of questions about our state-of-the-art technology, so keep reading to find out what makes PST such a forward-thinking treatment method!
What is gum recession?
Gingival (gum) recession is often caused by periodontal (gum) disease, but it can also be caused by aggressive or insufficient tooth brushing, smoking tobacco and even accelerated orthodontic treatment. When the gum line recedes, the tooth root becomes exposed, causing tooth sensitivity and increasing your risk of decay, infection and tooth loss.
What is PST?
The Pinhole® Surgical Technique is a minimally invasive procedure to treat gum recession. With PST we use a needle to make a hole in the gum and loosen the natural, existing gum tissue to slide it down and cover the exposed tooth structure.
How does PST compare to traditional gum grafting?
PST is a less invasive alternative to gum grafting. Conventional treatment methods, such as connective tissue grafts, “borrow” gum tissue from the roof of the mouth and suture it to the site of gum recession. The Pinhole® Surgical Technique doesn’t involve any cutting or suturing of the gum, which means less pain and recovery time, and, because it doesn’t require “borrowed” tissue, the results look more natural without differences in gum color or texture.
What are the benefits of PST?
- Minimally invasive
- No incisions or sutures
- Less painful
- Faster recovery
- Natural-looking results
- Long-lasting treatment
We use the Pinhole® Surgical Technique to make sure you leave our office with quality results from a comfortable and time-efficient procedure. If you have any questions or concerns about gum recession, schedule a consultation with us to learn about treatment options!