Heal Your Gums & Keep Your Teeth

At our practice, we offer a less invasive alternative to a gum graft to repair receding gums, Like a graft, it covers exposed tooth roots and stops further damage. However, the treatment doesn’t involve incisions, stitching, or any transfer of tissue. Instead your dentist makes a tiny opening in your gumline. The opening is about the size of a pinhole, which is how the procedure got its name. He uses special instruments to carefully manipulate your gum tissue into its proper place.

A pinhole treatment for gums offers several advantages over grafting:

  • More Comfort — Without incisions or stitching, a pinhole procedure is a more comfortable treatment than a gum graft. Since there is no transfer of tissue, your gums are the only part of your mouth that is affected. Local anesthesia is likely all you’ll need. Sedation is available if you feel nervous. 
  • Completed in Less Time — Pinhole surgery is a quicker treatment than a graft. In fact, it’s sometimes called a “lunchtime gum lift” since your dentist can typically complete it within a lunch hour.
  • Natural Appearance — Whether it comes from another part of your mouth or a donor, tissue used for a graft typically isn’t an exact match to your gum tissue. It also has a white appearance as it heals. Since your dentist simply repositions your gum tissue during pinhole treatment, it will look completely natural. 
  • Easier Recovery —The lack of incisions and stitching means minimal, if any, bruising or swelling following pinhole treatment. Your eating and oral hygiene routines will return to normal almost right away. Your gums will also feel less tender, and you’ll have less chance of infection while healing.

Call West County Dental now at 314-912-1295 or schedule online to see if you’re a candidate for a pinhole procedure in St. Louis, MO. Stop gum recession before it leads to tooth loss!