Vancouver Pinhole Surgical Technique

If you suffer from gum recession, Redtree Dental is here for you. Redtree Dental is pleased to be the only office in Vancouver to offer the Chao Pinhole® Surgery Technique, which can help you fix gum recession virtually pain free!

Gum recession is the shrinking down of the gum tissue away from where it should be. This leaves the root of the tooth exposed and vulnerable. Several factors contribute to gum recession, including gingivitis, periodontitis (deeper gum disease), the natural aging process, genetics and forceful tooth-brushing. Oftentimes we do not is know what has caused it and simply need to look at how to restore normal gum levels again.

Healthy gums cover the roots of the tooth. Gum recession leaves part of the root of the tooth exposed. Since the root is not covered by enamel like the crown of the tooth is, it is much more vulnerable to decay, acid erosion and abrasion from tooth-brushing. It is often also sensitive to cold, acids or sweets. Gum recession can be a cosmetic concern as well, as the root is usually darker in colour than the crown of the tooth. Depending on the amount of recession and the number of teeth affected, the risks and consequences associated with gum recession can be very minor to quite severe.

Anyone with any gum recession that is either notable in terms of amount or number of teeth involved, and/or anyone who has notched and/or sensitive root exposure should have a procedure done to restore healthy gum levels. Sometimes these factors can affect young people who have their lifetime ahead of them and should get back to a state of optimal oral health. Oftentimes this is more of an issue well into adulthood when we want to not only maintain our health but also prepare for ideal health in our later years, especially the prevention of root decay.

Traditional treatments for gum recession involve using tissue from either the roof of your mouth or sterilized and dehydrated tissue from a deceased donor which is stitched into incisions in the area of recession and left to heal. This is a very effective method but causes significant discomfort both from the donor site in your palate and in the stitched up area.

The Chao Pinhole^® Surgical Technique (PST) is much less invasive as there is no tissue removal from the palate, no sutures and no incisions and thus the pain afterwards is relatively minimal. Pinhole Surgical Technique has been clinically proven to be effective long-term and has many years of successful results behind it.

After local anesthetic is used to numb the area, a tiny opening is made in the gum over the receded area using only a needle, hence the term “Pinhole.” Through this tiny hole specialized instruments are used to loosen the gums and allow them to drape back into their previous position. Elastic fibres within the gums immediately contract again, tightening around the teeth. Collagen is placed to hold the gums in place and stabilize them while they heal. The pinholes heal over in a day or two. With this technique we can achieve equivalent results to traditional grafting methods with dramatically reduced pain and discomfort afterwards.

There are many benefits to reducing your gum recession with the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique. These include:

• Clinically proven and scientifically verified over many years
• Reduced root sensitivity
• Protected root surfaces
• Improved long-term tissue support for the affected tooth or teeth
• Significantly less discomfort after treatment compared with traditional grafting methods
• Easier and quicker recovery after treatment compared with traditional grafting methods
• Natural-looking, long-lasting results

Only dentists who have gone to California and taken the full training directly from Dr. John Chao himself are certified to perform PST. There are only 2100 dentists worldwide who are certified, and only about 50 in Canada. Dr. Jain, at Redtree Dental, is one of them! Dr. Jain is an early adopter of this revolutionary technique and has the mentorship of Dr. Chao supporting her. She enjoys spending the time with her patients to discuss their treatment needs and options so you can trust that she has your best interests at heart when considering gum recession treatments, along with any other aspects of your oral health.