Treatment Pinhole for recession of the gums or retracted gums
Recession of the gums or retracted gums can be generated by periodontal disease, tightening or grinding of teeth, too aggressive brushing habits or by the natural process of aging. Genetics, hormones, and smoking can also make gums more sensitive and fragile to recession.
Most gum recession patients do not realize that gum recession is occurring, as it occurs gradually. As a general rule, patients will appreciate some sensitivity or a surface appearance of the longer tooth.
Recession of the gums is not just an aesthetic question; When the gums retract, the sensitive roots of the teeth are exposed and spaces are generated between the teeth. In these hollows are the ideal conditions for the accumulation of bacterial plaque and tartar. This can lead to more advanced periodontal disease, tissue and bone deterioration and an occasional tooth loss.
The best way to prevent recession of the gums is to brush and use the oral thread each and every day using a proper technique and be up to date in oral cleaning and checkups.
Learn how the Pinhole surgical procedure technique can turn your smile
The Pinhole surgical procedure technique is a breakthrough in the treatment of gum recession. Traditional treatment, while efficient, involves tissue grafting procedures that may be slower and uncomfortable.
This new restorative procedure does not require grafts or sutures, and causes minimal discomfort to the patient. The Pinhole surgical procedure performed at the Padrós Dental Clinic uses instruments uniquely designed to make a small incision in the treatment area. The dentist then loosens the surrounding gum tissue and gently slides it into place, covering any structure of the tooth that has been exposed due to the recession.
Before
After
Traditional Gum Recession Treatment
Since recession of the gums is a gradual process, most people are not even aware that they have it. You may notice that more surface of your teeth is exposed, a greater sensitivity to thermal stimuli or the dentist can alert you if you see it in the course of a dental checkup.
The traditional treatment for recession of the gums usually involves making a soft tissue graft. In this type of procedure, a small piece of tissue is taken from another area of the mouth, usually the palate, and is sutured in place over the exposed part of the root of the tooth. This procedure, which is usually laborious, can be bothersome and requires the use of sutures.
A new treatment approach
The Pinhole Surgical Technique offers a number of unique benefits and has revolutionized the way we view the recession treatment of gums. Instead of scalpels, this procedure uses an instrument that creates a small hole in the patient’s healthy gingiva tissue over the area that needs treatment. This small opening can accommodate specialized instruments that the doctor will use to gently loosen and enlarge the gum tissue, covering the exposed areas of the teeth where the soft tissue has retracted.
At the time the gum tissue has changed position, a small strip of collagen is placed in the treatment area. This will promote the natural production of collagen and elastin, which will promote healing and reduce inflammation.
Instead of requiring tissue grafts and sutures, this procedure simply involves adjusting the gum tissue already present at the treatment site, with minimal postoperative discomfort and minimal bleeding.
Patients candidates for Pinhole treatment
Many patients suffering from periodontal disease and / or recession of gums would like to restore their gum line and protect the roots of the teeth, but do not want to go through the traditional procedure of gum grafting often uncomfortable and long.
These patients are aspirants to the Pinhole treatment. This technique is the first minimally invasive procedure to effectively treat gum recession. This suture-free treatment uses tissue already present from the healthy gingiva, which is replaced using instruments that act through a very small opening in the gums.
The procedure is not troublesome and requires a minimum recovery time. If you suffer from recession of the gums and would like to learn more about how this new procedure may favor you, please contact our dental clinic to schedule an appointment and we will explain in detail.
Advantages of Pinhole treatment over traditional treatment
Pinhole treatment offers many advantages over traditional gum retraction procedures:
- No incisions are made. Because no tissue graft is used, no incision is required.
- No sutures are made. The newly laid gum tissue is held in place by the collagen strips instead of sutures
- No problems. Because there are no incisions or sutures, and the procedure takes a relatively short period of time, patients report minimal discomfort
- Short recovery period. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, patients generally have a very short recovery time, minimal experience of swelling, and are accustomed to resuming their normal activities the day after the procedure
- Immediate results are observed. This treatment gives an aesthetic improvement that is visible from the first moment, and the small access point usually heals in 24 hours. Traditional methods require extensive recovery time, often multiple weeks, before the results can be seen
- Very predictable. Compared to traditional periodontal surgery, this procedure greatly reduces the risk of complications. The results are very predictable
As in the treatment for a caries, only a local anesthetic is needed to sleep the treatment area.
Restoration and Postoperative Care
During the first 6 weeks after treatment, brushing the affected area is not recommended. During those days, it will be replaced by a mouthwash. Patients are instructed to eat only soft foods over a short period of time after surgery. Any discomfort can be controlled easily with regular painkillers (ibuprofen, paracetamol, etc.). We will schedule a series of follow-up appointments to ensure that everything is healing properly and that no change in the maintenance schedule is required.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gum Recession
What is recession of the gums?
Recession of the gum refers to the loss of soft tissue exposing greater surface of the tooth or even the root.
This can be caused by periodontal disease (pyorrhea, periodontitis, advanced periodontitis), the process of natural aging, bruxism or tightening of teeth, or too aggressive brushing habits.
Why should recession of gums be taken seriously?
When a recession of the gums is generated, the structure of the root of the tooth is exposed. This increases the risk of tooth decay and facilitates the progression of inflammation of the gums and destruction of the supporting bone of the teeth.
What is the Pinhole surgical technique?
The Pinhole surgical technique is a minimally invasive treatment to treat recession of the gums. In contrast to traditional grafting techniques, no large incisions or sutures are made.
Each and every one of the tools and techniques used to perform this surgical treatment have been created by Dr. John Chao, who personally trained our medical team.
What differentiates the Pinhole surgical technique from traditional techniques?
Traditional gum recession treatments involve the use of donor tissue or soft tissue grafts to rebuild the gum line. This soft tissue is sutured in place and is attached to existing gum tissue.
Although this traditional graft treatment is efficient, the results that can be achieved with the Pinhole technique result in a better patient experience.
How is the Pinhole surgical technique performed?
During the Pinhole surgical technique, an instrument is used to make a small hole in the existing tissue on the gingiva to be treated. Through this hole, special instruments are used to gently loosen the gum tissue.
These tools assist in expanding and sliding the gum line to cover the structure of the exposed root. There are no grafts, sutures or incisions with the Pinhole surgical technique.
What are the advantages of Pinhole?
The advantages of the Pinhole surgical technique are many:
- Greater comfort for the patient after treatment
- Faster recovery for the patient compared to the traditional graft
- No uncomfortable sutures are required
- No need for scalpels or invasive surgical tools
- It is not necessary to take donor tissue from the patient’s palate
- Excellent results, natural looking and durable