Gum recession affects how your smile looks, by exposing unsightly tooth roots. Even worse, it can hurt your smile’s health. Receding gums make you more prone to cavities and other dental problems. Left untreated, they can cause the loss of teeth and bone. The usual treatment for later-stage recession is a gum graft. At our office, however, you can get pinhole gum treatment. 

Let’s compare how the two procedures typically work. For a gum graft, your dentist will remove soft tissue from the roof of your mouth and then stitch it to your gums in the area surrounding the recession. 

Dr. Fox is one of relatively few dentists trained in a a gum graft alternative called the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique. Using this procedure, she makes a tiny hole in the gums, then uses special instruments to carefully loosen the tissue and move it into place to cover tooth roots. Finally, she secures the tissue in place with collagen fibers. 

If you teeth appear longer than usual or you suspect your gums may be receding, call us today at 856-997-2767. Dr. Fox will examine you and determine whether you need treatment. In its earliest stages, it may be possible to address gum recession with a simple deep cleaning. 

If you do need more advanced treatment, you’ll want to consider these benefits of a pinhole procedure:

  • Faster Treatment – The Chao technique has sometimes been called a “lunchtime gum lift.” That’s because it can typically be completed during a lunch hour, far less time than needed for a grafting procedure. 
  • Minimal Discomfort – Unlike a gum graft, the pinhole method involves no cutting or stitching. Chao procedure patients typically require nothing more than local anesthesia to stay comfortable during this minimally invasive treatment. 
  • Totally Natural Appearance – Tissue used for a graft may not match your gums. In addition, the tissue usually looks white for a week or two while the graft heals. In contrast, results of a Chao procedure look completely natural since we just reposition your gum tissue. 
  • Easy Recovery – You’ll experience little if any pain and swelling and a lower risk of infection following a Chao treatment. You can resume your usual activities right away and eat whatever you want within a day or two. It takes a week or two to recover from a gum graft. You’ll need to eat mostly soft foods during this time and be careful to avoid the treated area while brushing and flossing. 

At Elizabeth Kilpatrick-Fox, DMD, we always try to offer our patients the most convenient and comfortable treatments possible! For gum recession, that’s a pinhole gum treatment. Call us today at 856-997-2767 to schedule a consultation. Or fill out our online form to request an appointment.