Gum Recession Treatment

Bleeding, red or swollen gums, bad breath, loose teeth and exposed roots are all signs of gum recession. Gingival recession is when the gums wear down or pull back from the tooth. The receding gums reveal more of the tooth, and in some cases, this leaves the root of the tooth exposed. This can lead to the tooth being overly sensitive and weaken the gum tissue surrounding the tooth.

Gum recession is the most frequent complaint from patients that opt for Pinhole surgery.

The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST®) is a minimally invasive treatment for restoring receding gums. Unlike painful and invasive gum grafting surgeries, the Pinhole® procedure is minimally invasive. Invented and patented by John Chao, D.D.S., it is a scalpel-free, suture-free procedure for treating gum recession.

This procedure is performed by making a small hole with a needle in the gum tissue. Using specially designed instruments, the gum tissue is loosened and guided over the receded part of the tooth. Since there is no incision or suturing, patients can expect minimal post-operative symptoms (pain, swelling and bleeding). Most patients also are pleasantly surprised by the instant cosmetic improvement.

Pinhole® not only improves the appearance of your smile, but it also protects your teeth from further deterioration. The results can last for years, providing long-term benefits for patients. Recovery times are also minimal compared to gum grafting, and patients will typically return to normal activities within 24-48 hours.

Periodontitis has been linked to diseases in several other parts of the body. Consequently, fixing gum recession means protecting their gums and bones, which can, in turn, help to manage other diseases.

Ideal candidates

• Older patients on high blood pressure (HBP) medication. HBP medication can cause dryness of saliva, which can result in premature cavities under existing crowns or untreated teeth. Pinhole surgery can restore the gum line to avoid dental issues which would otherwise be exacerbated due to HBP medication.
• Patients living with arthritis. Gum problems have been found to exacerbate arthritis, so caring for your gums would help reduce the risk of getting worse.
• Diabetic patients. Gum disease has been linked to higher blood glucose levels. By correcting your gums, you would help your blood glucose levels stay manageable.

Not ideal candidates:

• Patients with auto-immune diseases, like lupus or Sjögren's syndrome, are not ideal for regenerative treatments like Pinhole surgery.
• Patients who have undergone chemotherapy in the last 5 years. The drugs they may have taken to fight cancerous cells would not interact well with the Pinhole procedure.
• Pregnant women in their first or third trimester. It is safe to operate during the second trimester in the case of an emergency. Outside of an emergency, the patient would be advised to wait.
• People who have had radiation of the neck or the head.

• If you are diabetic, opt for a provider who uses laser treatment for a minimally invasive experience that will help keep your reaction and recovery manageable.
• When meeting with a potential provider, use your best judgement and listen to your gut. If you feel the treatment plan is unnecessarily complicated, don’t hold back on getting a second opinion for confirmation.

Traditional gum grafting involves cutting and stitching tissue from the roof of the mouth to the affected area. It typically requires multiple incisions which can be quite painful and requires more time to heal. Pinhole Surgery is a lot less invasive than traditional gum grafting, resulting in less pain and swelling, and faster recovery times. It can often be completed in just one session and offers faster healing times.

Pinhole surgery is usually priced by quadrant. Depending on the patient’s situation, the cost to fix one quadrant ranges from $1300 to $2500. For example, if you have receding gums in three teeth in one quadrant without underlying or additional problems, it should cost about $1200. Underlying problems could bring the cost of one quadrant up to $2500. If you have one tooth in each quadrant and no underlying problems, the cost will be $1300 x 4 = $5200.

Feel free to use our handy calculator to get a rough estimate of cost. Jump to the calculator.

The following are underlying dental issues that may impact your final cost of treatment:

Problem: Clenching and grinding
Solution: Fixing your bite
Cost: $1030 in addition to the pinhole surgery cost

Problem: Poor oral hygiene
Solution: We may recommend that you get a new toothbrush and mouthwash and educate you on proper brushing techniques
Cost: You’ll only pay for the cost of the toothbrush and mouthwash. Total cost for the products we recommend will be $200.

Problem: Gum infection due to gum disease and bone loss
Solution: Infection treatment
Cost: Up to $2500 per quadrant

Important note: These numbers are just estimates, and they are not an accurate quote for cost. Please call 281.980.2344 to schedule a consultation to receive an accurate treatment plan with the exact cost.

Yes, we offer financing options. Please check our finance page for more details.