As the result of untreated periodontal disease, you could eventually develop gum recession. When your tissues recede, this could change how your smile looks and increase the risk of eventual tooth loss. But we can help with a conservative approach and laser technology! In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about pinhole gum grafts.

The Factors Behind Recession

How do your gums recede? When you develop periodontal disease and don’t seek treatment to manage it, this could allow the issue to grow in severity. As this happens, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth. This exposed portions of the roots not protected by enamel, leading to tooth decay and toothaches. This also increases the risk of periodontitis, the stage linked to attachment loss and missing teeth. Your teeth could also appear longer than usual. If this happens, then see our team for a diagnosis and to find out if we can help with a conservative form of gum grafting known as the Pinhole Surgical Technique.

The Use of Dental Lasers

How do we assist this process with dental lasers? Our team could use our dental laser systems to gently adjust and make alterations to soft tissues and the gums, or to even modify underlying attachment tissues or bone structure as needed. Lasers can target areas with precision to prevent damage to healthy structures, and provide improvements in only one sitting. We rarely need anesthesia, and the risk of bleeding, swelling, and infection is much lower, so the area can heal faster too.

The Pinhole Surgical Technique

Now, let’s talk about how we conduct a pinhole gum graft with the Pinhole Surgical Technique. With this option, we will make a tiny hole into the periodontal tissues and then add a special collagen material. Next, we will a minuscule whole and adjust the tissues until they cover the exposed portions of the roots. We take care to ensure proper symmetry in the gum line, so your smile is not only healthier, but more attractive too. The procedure only takes one visit and the results are immediate. We will then discuss ways to ensure a fast healing process, so you can return to your normal routine in as little as a day or two of rest.

To help prevent further recession and manage the issue, we could follow this with traditional cleanings every three to four months to control buildup or even use Ozone Therapy to control harmful inflammation-causing bacteria. If you have any questions about how we treat gum recession with pinhole gum grafts, then contact our team!

Schedule Your Appointment for Treating Gum Recession

With laser-assisted Pinhole Survival Technique, we can address receding gums. To learn more about addressing receding gums, call Dr. Ann Kania in Encinitas, CA, today at 760-642-0711.