If you’ve noticed that your teeth have become increasingly sensitive to your morning coffee or have taken on a strange elongated appearance, it’s likely you’re experiencing the early signs of gum recession. When your gum tissue begins to pull away from your teeth, it compromises the health and look of your smile. And without proper action, the damage could become more and more severe.
Traditionally dentists would perform a gum graft procedure — which involves surgical cutting and sutures — to undo the damage. But at Beaumont Family Dentistry, we’re proud to offer a minimally invasive alternative to gum grafting called the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique.
Not only is there no surgical cutting or sutures involved; chair time is minimal, and recovery is fast. To perform this game-changing treatment, dentists are required to have completed a special course and obtain certification. And we have two dentists in our Lexington, KY offices who are qualified to perform the procedure!
In honor of Gum Disease Awareness Month, we want to share some information about this hassle-free solution to gum recession, which is often caused by unmanaged gum disease. Read on for more information about how the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique can save your smile. Then, give us a call at any of our three convenient locations:
- Beaumont: 859-223-2120
- Hamburg: 859-687-0975
- Leestown: 859-368-8260
The Causes And Consequences Of Unmanaged Gum Disease
Most people are constantly fighting tooth decay with regular brushing. But fewer people take the same precautions when it comes to gum disease, even though both conditions are driven by the same thing: bacterial buildup. In fact, one in five Americans says they never floss, according to the American Dental Association!
When food particles in your mouth, leftover from meals and snacks, aren’t removed with proper brushing and flossing, they become a magnet for harmful bacteria. The bacteria flock to the gumline and in turn irritate your gums. The irritation can cause an infection that causes the gums to swell, turn a rusty red color, and even bleed when you brush or floss. These are the signs of gingivitis, an early, curable form of gum disease.
A deep cleaning often is all that’s needed to eradicate gum disease at this stage. Unfortunately, many people miss the signs, allowing the gum disease to progress to aggressive periodontitis.
This is why routine checkups and cleanings are so important! At Beaumont Family Dentistry, our hygienists are able to detect early signs of gum disease so we can promptly intervene with treatment.
In its later, more aggressive stages, gum disease often causes gum recession. This deterioration of gum tissue can create periodontal pockets, or gaps, that expose the roots of your teeth. All sorts of complications can come from this, including decay of the tooth roots and eventual tooth loss.
Plus, studies suggest that gum disease affects more than just your smile. It is, after all, an infection that can spread beyond the gums. Gum disease has been linked to serious health complications, such as heart disease and stroke.
How The ‘Pinhole’ Technique Corrects Gum Recession Damage
If you have advanced periodontal disease, where bacterial buildup has occurred in periodontal pockets, there are two things that have to happen in order to save your smile.
First, we have to eliminate the infection. This can be done with a deep cleaning. Oftentimes, this means performing a procedure called scaling and root planing, where we gently remove plaque and tartar from along and below the gum line. We then smooth the surface of tooth roots, which makes it more difficult for bacterial buildup to occur in the future.
We can also remove plaque and tartar from periodontal pockets using a state-of-the art dental laser. This allows us to gently remove bacteria quickly and efficiently. We might prescribe an antibiotic treatment to knock out the infection.
After your gums are free of infection, we’ll then repair gum line recession using the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique. Restoring your natural gum line will not only improve the appearance of your smile; it’ll also allow your gums to better protect your teeth for increased oral health.
The procedure is simple: We create two tiny entry points in the gums — “pinholes.” Then, we enter the pinholes with special tools that allow us to easily adjust the position of your gums. We’ll also insert strips of collagen into the gums to promote regeneration of healthy gum tissue. And that’s it! In as little as an hour, you’ll have a beautifully restored gum line. You can expect to make a full recovery in 24 to 48 hours.
Take The First Step Toward Healthier Gums
If you’re looking for a minimally invasive way to drastically improve the health of your mouth, consult with Dr. Takacs and the caring team at Beaumont Family Dentistry. Your gums are the foundation of your smile! Call us at any of our three locations to schedule a consultation. You can also use our convenient online form to request an appointment.