Pinhole Surgical Technique

The Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to treat gum recession without the need for stitches or scalpels. Also called pinhole gum surgery, this approach allows the dentist to make a small incision in the gum, loosen the tissue, and reposition it over the exposed tooth. Collagen is added to support the area, and unlike traditional gum grafting, PST doesn’t involve removing tissue from the palate. This makes it a quicker, less painful option with minimal post-operative discomfort, such as mild pain, swelling, or bleeding.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that often goes undetected or ignored until significant gum and bone destruction has occurred. Untreated gum disease can cause premature tooth loss.

Using the latest technology, we are able to incorporate the use of a laser to assist us in treating gum disease. Laser therapy is less invasive than traditional treatment modalities. The laser disinfects and evaporates diseased tissues from around the tooth and inside the gum pocket; interrupting the bacterial destruction of the tissues and bone, giving the gum pocket a chance to heal. Routine visits, generally two to eight, render the gum pocket to be disease-free and sometimes allow tissues to reattach to the pocket back to a normal or near-normal depth. While traditional surgery may still be indicated for advanced periodontal conditions, laser therapy is a much more conservative, minimally invasive, and may be an option for less advanced periodontal conditions.