Pinhole Gum Surgery in Knoxville, TN
The Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) makes it possible for periodontist Dr. Robert Cain to reshape your gum line without the need to cut, scrape or stitch. It is an alternative to traditional periodontal surgery procedures. This new method of treating receding gums makes it easier for a dentist to give you natural-looking results in a short amount of time.
Dr. Cain is one of the only periodontists in the Knoxville area who is a certified provider of The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST), invented and patented by John Chao, D.D.S. Dr. Cain uses this noninvasive method to treat receding gums with minimal discomfort and downtime effectively.
This effective method for restoring the gum line will help you maintain your best smile after gum disease or other oral health issues that cause your gum recession.
How to Deal with Receding Gums
Your gums are critical in creating a barrier from infection entering your body. This is why it is very important to take care of your gums, so they do not begin to recede. Gum recession is when your gum tissue begins to die off, and this will cause your gum line to recede higher and higher up the tooth.
Receding gums are both a cosmetic and oral health concern. Patients with receding gums often have or have had periodontal disease. Dr. Cain offers gum disease treatments to eradicate dead tissue and repair a receding gum line.
Gums that have receded can create an unbalanced aesthetic. Patients may feel self-conscious or embarrassed by their smiles. The tooth will appear longer, and the space between the teeth will increase. This can begin to affect a patient’s quality of life.
Advanced gum recession may also leave the tooth root exposed, which may cause extreme tooth sensitivity to hot and cold and pain. Exposed roots can also make a patient susceptible to gum disease and infection. Exposed roots can make it difficult for patients to enjoy eating or drinking.
Most importantly, receding gums can be a symptom of an underlying problem, including gum disease. This can increase your risk of tooth decay, tooth loss, bad breath, and bleeding gums.
Why are My Gums Receding?
Gum recession can occur because of a variety of different things. A single factor may be the cause, or multiple things work together to contribute to this recession. One of the biggest worries when you see gum recession is periodontal disease. Not only does this cause receding gums, but it has far-reaching effects on your overall health and well-being. Plaque and tartar buildup can make the gums recede, even if periodontal disease hasn’t fully set in yet.
Lifestyle habits impact gum recession as well. If you’re brushing your teeth too hard or using a toothbrush with bristles that are too stiff, it can cause your gums to recede. Smoking and chewing tobacco use are hard on your gums as well. Lip and tongue piercings that make contact with your gums at certain angles repetitively, increasing the risk of gum recession in these specific areas. We aim to help determine the cause of your gum recession so that we can treat the root of the problem, too.
Pinhole Gum Surgery Procedure
As a highly trained and experienced periodontist, Dr. Cain specializes in gum disease treatment and diagnosis. He uses the latest dental technology and technique for minimally invasive and highly effective treatment.
Dr. Cain has been an esteemed member of the periodontist community in Knoxville, Oak Ridge, and Crossville for over 20 years.
Your procedure will begin with Dr. Cain administering a local anesthetic to numb the treated area. Through a needle-sized hole, Dr. Cain uses high-quality instruments to loosen the receding gum tissue carefully. The loosened tissue is then pushed down and shaped to cover the exposed tooth root. Moving the tissue creates a full, natural-looking gum line.
The procedure is quick and normally takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete. The procedure is mostly pain-free because it is non-invasive. Because the procedure does not require sutures or invasive surgery, patients enjoy almost no swelling or bleeding.
There should only be minor discomfort. Downtime is minimal, and most patients experience immediate, natural, and aesthetically balanced results.
Pinhole Gum Surgery FAQs
Does the Pinhole Gum Lift hurt?
This revolutionary technique creates a way for the dentist to restore the health of your gums through a small hole. This non-invasive procedure allows patients to experience less bleeding, discomfort, and pain. Patients are generally surprised at how comfortable they feel during their gum lift. Many patients return to their daily life immediately after treatment.
Does the Pinhole Gum Lift require sutures?
The Pinhole Gum Lift is a non-surgical procedure that does not require the gums to be cut open, so stitches are unnecessary. The procedure is completed through a tiny hole in the gum line that will heal within a day or two. This allows for minimal downtime and less bleeding, swelling, and discomfort.
How long will the results last after a Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation?
The results of the Pinhole Gum Lift are permanent. Proper daily oral hygiene and biannual visits to your dentist for professional dental cleanings will help keep your gums healthy for years to come.
How long does the Pinhole procedure and recovery take?
One of the best parts of this procedure is how short both the actual procedure and the recovery are. It only takes us around 10-20 minutes per affected tooth for the procedure itself. Because it’s minimally invasive, recovery is short, too. Some patients are good to go by dinnertime on the same day. It’s one of the easiest procedures to recover from.
Is the Pinhole procedure worth it?
If you’re eligible, we highly recommend the Pinhole procedure for your gum disease treatment. It’s one of the best ways to manage gum disease. Usually, insurance covers the procedure because it’s for periodontal therapy. It’s also one of the least invasive methods available.
Am I an ideal candidate for Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation?
There are certain criteria someone has to meet to be eligible for this procedure. Your gum disease can be severe enough that you’ll need a different procedure to manage your condition. You have to have enough gum tissue for this specific surgery. We don’t recommend this technique to patients with a habit of teeth grinding or those who have uneven bites. It can be a risky procedure for those with compromised immune systems, and you have to dedicate yourself to good home oral healthcare for the procedure to be a success.