Pinhole technique is a little-known option to treat gum recession

Gum recession is not something to be taken lightly. In its earliest stages, there are some treatments — scaling and deep cleaning — that can treat its symptoms and arrest gum loss. It is just one of the many things our staff at Huszti Dental Care look for during your twice-yearly visits. Catching it early can save a lot of trouble later.

It can happen to anyone at any age and can be brought about by something as simple as brushing too hard, by genetics, poor hygiene or other factors like smoking. And gum recession can bring bigger problems, including gingivitis and periodontal disease.

This is an entirely preventable disease — prevented mostly by proper oral hygiene — but it is still very common. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 75 percent of Americans have gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease.

There are many ways to treat gum recession, including gum grafts and one of the more commonly done techniques is to graft tissue onto your gums to regenerate growth at the gumline. Great care needs to be taken with gum grafts to ensure they take, and patients often find it to be a burden.

There is another, much less invasive option and Huszti Dental Care’s Mark Isler is one of a select number of periodontists who are certified to perform this treatment.

The Chao Pinhole Technique was created by Dr. John Chao in 2006 and though it’s relatively new, it has been tested and proven successful over the years. There are no scalpels or stitches and can usually be completed in one visit.

The procedure begins by making a pinhole in the gum through which the periodontist uses specially designed tools to reshape the gum from the inside and move it over the tooth where recession has taken place. Sometimes collagen or another substance is used to plump up the gum for a more natural look.

It is less invasive, long lasting and relatively pain free. It also makes an immediate and marked cosmetic improvement.

Though this technique may sound great, not every person is a good candidate for this surgery. If too much gum has been lost or if you have a history of poor home dental hygiene, are a smoker or have a compromised immune system, you may not be eligible. Talk to our team of dentists; they will give you all the information you need to make a decision that best fits your needs.