Pinhole gum surgery is a less invasive treatment performed to address gum recession. To execute the therapy at Wesley Yemoto DDS, our dental surgeon uses a needle to puncture a small hole in the patient's gum tissue. The gum tissue is gently loosened through this pinhole by special instruments that help expand and slide the gumline to cover the exposed root structure. You can expect minimal swelling, pain, and bleeding after the gum treatment because no cutting, stitching, or grafts were performed.
Gum Recession
Periodontal disease frequently causes gum recession. Gum recession happens when your gums begin to move away from the roots of your teeth. A variety of factors can cause gum recession, for example:
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease occurs when plaque and bacterial buildup irritate the gum tissue, causing it to separate from the surfaces of your teeth.
Brushing Too Hard
Patients who brush their teeth too hard risk harming the tissue. The tissue may eventually wear away, exposing the tooth root.
Misalignment
Misaligned teeth might cause biting issues that put extra pressure on your gums. This can result in a receding gum line over time.
Who Is a Candidate for Pinhole Surgery?
Anyone with receding gums may be a candidate for pinhole surgery. However, your periodontist will assess whether the procedure is appropriate for you. The patient should ideally be healthy; have dental structures free from illnesses, decay, and failing restorations; have well-connected gums; be a nonsmoker; and not have diabetes or other immunological issues, as these factors reduce and/or delay healing time frames.
The Procedure for Pinhole Surgery
The pinhole surgical procedure includes inserting a tiny needle into the patient's gum tissues beneath receding gums. Special devices are placed through the pinhole to release the gum tissues. The tool assists in repositioning the gum line to cover the exposed root. No incisions, stitches, or grafts are performed throughout the procedure. This technique entails moving the patient's current gum tissues. Collagen is then put into the opening to strengthen the gums.
The Benefits of Pinhole Surgery
- Recovery time is shorter than with traditional gum grafting.
- There is no need for stitches, incisions, or scalpels.
- Pain, hemorrhage, and edema are reduced.
- There is no need to remove donor tissue from the palate.
- Cost-efficient
The Pinhole Surgical Method is a recent innovation in minimally invasive soft-tissue grafting surgery that combines specialized surgical instrumentation and tunnel technique modification. To learn more about pinhole surgery, contact Wesley Yemoto DDS at 4860 Cherry Ave # F, San Jose, CA 95118, or call (408) 266-9957.