Pinhole Surgical Technique Specialist Dr. Kao
Along with periodontics and dental implants, Dr. Kao is also a specialist in the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST). This treatment stably repairs receding gums to prevent the deterioration of the teeth, extreme sensitivity, root damage, and tooth loss. The PST is a fast and effective treatment that takes just a few minutes for each treated tooth. Dr. Kao works with each patient to improve their dental health and provide an improved and more confident smile.
What is the Pinhole Technique?
PST is a noninvasive gum surgery that treats the extreme recession of the gums that exposes the roots of the teeth. The procedure requires no cutting, grafting or stitching. For the procedure, the tissue of the gums is loosened and pulled over the exposed teeth with very minimal side effects such as pain, swelling and bleeding due to absolutely zero incisions being made. The affected and exposed teeth can be treated in one easy session in about one to two hours, providing stable results that maintain gum coverage and health for several years.
Causes of Gum Recession:
- Aggressive brushing and flossing
- Uncontrollable genetics
- Irregular tooth positioning
- Teeth grinding
- Trauma or injury to teeth & gum tissue
- Poor dental hygiene
Dr Kao’s Steps for Pinhole Surgical Technique in Los Angeles
Gum recession treatment is done fast and efficiently with these easy steps by Dr. Kao:
- The teeth are cleaned in the treated area.
- Anesthesia is administered to numb the area.
- A small instrument makes pinhole sized entries in the gums.
- A specialized instrument is inserted into the entry point and slowly loosens the tissue and moves it into the right position.
- Collagen strips are inserted into the entry points and gum tissue to help keep the tissue in place during recovery.
The Benefits of Pinhole Surgical Technique
- Zero Incisions: no cuts, grafting or removal of any tissue
- Zero Stitches: collagen strips are used instead of any uncomfortable wiring
- Minimal Pain: patients experience very little pain, swelling, or bleeding both during the surgery and during recovery
- Instant Results: recovery is quick with noticeable improvement and a better smile!
Dr. Kao specializes in restoring your dental health and focuses on your specific concerns in order to provide you with the best and most confident smile! Call our friendly staff at (213) 481-2699 to schedule your appointment.
Pinhole Surgical Technique Referral
To make the referral process as easy as possible, we have developed a patient referral form that provides all necessary information to treat your patient based on your direction on one page.
REQUEST REFERRAL PACKAGE
To become a referring dentist, simply call our Los Angeles office at (213) 481-2699 . The staff at David Kao DDS will schedule a personal introduction with Dr. Kao at your convenience. And if one of your patients has an urgent dental need, we can schedule an appointment today.
Pinhole Surgical Technique FAQs
The Pinhole Surgical Technique is designed to treat gum recession by repositioning the gum tissue so it covers the exposed tooth roots and is more even. The Pinhole Surgical Technique helps prevent decay and tooth loss and reduces tooth sensitivity caused by exposed roots, but it does not treat the underlying cause of gum recession (typically gum disease).
Traditional gum grafting is a surgery performed with a scalpel, meaning that it involves incisions and stitches and requires long recovery periods. Additionally, the results of gum grafting appear gradually over several months as the gum regenerates. The Pinhole Surgical Technique is minimally invasive and requires only tiny points of entry to reposition the gum tissue, but no incisions or stitches. Also, the results of the procedure are immediately visible. However, while gum grafting treats the underlying issue that causes gum recession, the Pinhole Surgical Technique is a cosmetic procedure suitable for people who have no active gum disease and sufficient gum tissue.
The majority of patients do not feel pain or discomfort during the procedure as it is done under local anesthesia. There is also little discomfort during recovery as this procedure is minimally invasive and does not require incisions or stitches.
The Pinhole Surgical Technique typically takes 1 to 2 hours to complete, depending on the severity of the gum recession and how many teeth are being treated. Generally, it takes about 10 to 20 minutes to treat gum recession around one tooth. Since the Pinhole Surgical Technique is minimally invasive, your dentist can treat multiple areas or even the entire arch in one appointment.
Minor soreness, pressure, or swelling after the procedure can last for 1 to 2 days. In the days 3 to 7, the gum tenderness will subside, but you will still need to be careful when brushing your teeth and avoid hard and crunchy foods. By days 7 to 14, the tiny pinhole entry points will heal completely. However, it typically takes 1 to 3 months for the gum tissue to reach full stability in its new position.
You are a good candidate for the Pinhole Surgical Technique procedure if you have mild to moderate gum recession, no active periodontal disease, and sufficient gum tissue and underlying jawbone structure. If you currently have an active gum infection, it needs to be treated before the Pinhole Surgical Technique can be considered. In cases when gum and bone tissue is insufficient, your dentist is likely to suggest bone and gum grafting instead of the Pinhole Surgical Technique.
Pinhole Surgical Technique provides immediate results with noticeable improvements in the appearance of the gums as your dentist repositions the existing gum tissue to cover the exposed tooth roots. You can expect to see a noticeably fuller, restored gum line immediately after the procedure. Unlike with traditional gum grafting, you will not need for the gum tissue to regenerate over time.
While Pinhole Surgical Technique is a highly effective immediate cosmetic solution, it does not guarantee that gum recession will not return, as in the majority of cases the recession is caused by gum disease. Therefore, to maintain the results of your Pinhole Surgical Technique procedure, you need to ensure proper oral health care and keep gum disease and inflammation at bay. Additionally, such factors as teeth grinding, smoking, chewing tobacco or nicotine pouch use, aggressive brushing, and genetic factors can contribute to recurring gum recession.
