What is Pinhole Surgery?

When you have gum disease, particularly periodontitis, it often results in receding gums. This makes them look rather unattractive. Even worse, though, is that it will expose the roots of your teeth. The good news is that they can be corrected with a new method called pinhole surgery.

The roots of your teeth do not have the same protection that the upper part – the crown – has against bacteria. On the crown, the enamel protects it. The roots have little protection and will develop cavities much faster after they are exposed. It can also lead to sensitive teeth that will hurt when you drink or eat hot or cold foods or sugary foods. If not taken care of, it will likely lead to a root canal or an extraction.

A more serious problem is periodontal disease. This disease is usually caused by a lack of good care of your teeth. Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease, but, if it is allowed to go untreated, it will become periodontitis.

Gum disease is caused by the bad bacteria in your mouth that gets into your gums and causes inflammation. When this bacterium eats sugar, it produces acid. As a result, the inflammation begins to destroy your gums, the tissue supporting your teeth, and your jawbone. Your teeth will become loose, and even fall out if not treated.

Before your gums can be repaired, it is necessary to completely remove any presence of periodontitis, and fill all cavities. Up until recently, gum recession has been regularly treated with gum graft surgery. A new way of treating gum that is even better is called pinhole gum surgery.

Gum graft surgery has come to be known as a rather painful way to replace gum tissue. Since your gums do not grow back, and up until recently, this surgery was all there was available. Because only a quarter of the mouth was normally done at one time, the process often took up to a year to complete – but that was the old way.

Pinhole surgery is a new minimal-invasive way to repair your gums and restore them to a more natural and attractive appearance. By making just a couple of small holes in your gums above the place where the gum recession has taken place, a periodontist can use special tools to slide your gum tissue down to cover the space where it is needed.

Periodontists only need to use a local anesthetic to perform pinhole surgery. The procedure is nearly painless because there is no cutting or suturing involved. Patients are in the dentist's chair for about an hour and a half for the entire procedure. All of their gums can be treated in this brief amount of time.

Special collagen strips are placed under the gums once moved to their new position. This helps hold them in place, and it also helps with healing. The periodontist may also place some membranes of platelet-rich fibrin under the gums as well.

Patients will have little need for recovery time because they can usually go back to work the same day. Some people may need 24 hours.

Because the gums have been moved in some places, it is necessary to avoid brushing your teeth for about six weeks following the surgery. In its place, you will use a special mouthwash that the oral surgeon will prescribe for you. For any pain you experience, typical over-the-counter medication will be sufficient.

You will need to eat soft foods for a brief period to ensure that the gums are not damaged and moved out of their new position.

This new method of treating gum recession is the method you want. It does not take long to complete, and you can be back to work quickly with a great new look to your teeth and gums! Additional benefits of the pinhole gum surgery method include:

• No scalpels or sutures are used in the procedure
• All of your teeth can be treated at one sitting, rather than just a quarter of your mouth at a time with gum graft surgery
• Permanently treat gum recession
• Get a more attractive smile again
• Very little pain
• Get back to work the same day

The treatment is still rather new, so it is not being fully tested as to its longevity. Some patients, though, have not had any problems after nine years – which certainly shows its potential for durability.

The new pinhole surgery technique is quicker and ideal way to get your gums looking great again – with very little pain. You can also get the roots of your teeth protected again so that you can avoid further dental costs. Find out if you are a good candidate for pinhole surgery, or if you need preliminary treatment for gum disease, by contacting Kumar T. Vadivel, DDS, FDS RCS, MS. A free consultation is available by clicking on the number on this screen, or you can book an appointment online.