Gumline recession can wreak havoc on your smile.

When your gums begin to pull away from your teeth, it makes you increasingly susceptible to bacterial buildup, bad breath, and other dental complications. Plus, it can be painful.

Repairing the damage is the best way to restore the health of your gums and teeth. Traditionally, this is done with a gum graft procedure, where a small amount of healthy tissue is secured to your receding gumline. But what if we told you there was a less invasive way to do it?

That’s right! At Houston Uptown Dentists, we offer the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique as an alternative to gum grafting. In less than a couple hours, you can have a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing gumline!

Dentists must undergo special training to offer this revolutionary procedure. We’re proud that our office can make it available to the Houston, TX community.

Read on for more information on the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique. Then, for a quicker, more comfortable way to repair gum recession damage, call Houston Uptown Dentists at 832-463-1021.

No Sutures, No Surgical Cutting

There are many reasons the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique has gotten a lot of attention since it was first performed in 2006.

Unlike traditional methods for repairing gum recession, the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique requires no sutures and no cutting. Plus, there’s so little chair time involved, it’s sometimes referred to as the “Lunchtime Gum Lift™.”

Here’s how it works. We create a tiny hole — a “pinhole” — in your gums, and then, we gently reposition the gums using special tools so they better protect your teeth. It’s that simple!

There’s also very little recovery time involved. Most patients find that they can see the results instantly, and they fully heal within 24 hours of the procedure. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy your newly improved gums for years to come!

The Signs Of Gum Recession

Perhaps you’re wondering if your dental discomfort is caused by gumline recession or something else entirely. Here are some of the signs of gum recession:

  • An elongated appearance to your smile. In the early stages of gum recession, your gums and teeth might feel normal. But if you’ve noticed that your teeth have taken on a strange, elongated appearance, it’s possible that your gumline is beginning to recede.
  • Sensitivity. This is often one of the first things that people in the early stages of gum recession notice. Because their gum tissue is no longer protecting their teeth as it should, it leaves teeth more sensitive than normal.
  • “Pockets” or gaps between your teeth and your gumline. Severe cases of gum recession can create pockets. These are prime real estate for bacterial buildup and can even leave the roots of your teeth exposed.
  • Bad breath. Bacterial buildup along the gumline or in pockets can be hard or nearly impossible to clean out with regular brushing and flossing. This can cause an unpleasant odor.

Of course, there’s only one way of knowing for sure whether you’re experiencing gumline recession, and that’s to consult with dental professionals like Dr. Juarez and Dr. Arnold! They’re trained to spot the warning signs of gumline recession and repair the damage in a timely manner to prevent further complications.

We’ll also be able to help you determine if you’re a good candidate for the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique.

What If I’m Not A Good Candidate For The ‘Pinhole’ Technique?

While many people are good candidates for the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique, a traditional gum grafting procedure is a better option for some people.

At Houston Uptown Dentists, we strive to make gum grafting as comfortable as possible, both with our patient comfort options and sedation dentistry. We offer three types of dental sedation to minimize stress and pain during your procedure:

  • Nitrous oxide. More commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide will provide a sense of calm or euphoria during your procedure.
  • Oral sedation. This is administered as a pill you take before coming to the office for your procedure. You’ll arrive feeling relaxed and ready for your dental work.
  • IV sedation. This is the deepest form of sedation we offer. It’s administered directly into your bloodstream, and we monitor you closely for the duration of your procedure. You’ll experience your dental work in a dream-like state, and you most likely won’t remember much afterward.

Get Your Gum Health Back On Track

If your gum health has been derailed by gum recession, Houston Uptown Dentists makes it easy to get back to a healthy set of gums. Your overall oral health depends on it!

Give us a call today at 832-463-1021 to schedule an appointment. You can also use our convenient online form.