The pinhole surgical technique is a minimally invasive treatment for receding gums. Traditionally, the only way to repair damaged gum tissue was through the use of a soft tissue graft. Though incredibly effective, gum grafts require surgical intervention and present the risk of infection.
The pinhole surgical technique is different because it’s less invasive but provides the same stunning results. In addition, it’s possible to treat your entire mouth during a single visit, instead of just one or two teeth at a time.
Dr. Sayre-Castairs performs the pinhole surgical technique on an outpatient basis.
At the start of your visit, she numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic and cleans and polishes your teeth. Next, she uses a tiny needle to make a hole in your gums near areas of receding tissue.
Dr. Sayre-Castairs inserts small specialized tools into the hole and carefully loosens and repositions your gum line so it covers your exposed tooth roots. Afterward, she fills the hole with collagen, providing additional stability.
The pinhole surgical technique offers a variety of advantages compared to traditional gum grafts, including:
The length of time that the pinhole surgical technique takes depends on various factors, including the severity of your gum disease and the number of teeth treated. If only a few of your teeth have receding gums, the procedure may take as little as 20 minutes. To treat your entire mouth, it typically takes about 90 minutes.
After the pinhole surgical technique, you can eat snacks and meals within a few hours. Once the anesthesia wears off, it’s normal to experience some mild swelling and increased tooth sensitivity, but these issues should subside within a day or two. If your symptoms worsen, contact Dr. Sayre-Castairs right away.
To explore the benefits of pinhole surgery, call the Coast Periodontics and Laser Surgery office in San Luis Obispo, California, or book online today.