Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation Versus Traditional Gum Grafting

Gum recession is a common side effect of gum disease, and it becomes a lot more common with aging, too. (Ever hear the saying, “Getting long in the tooth”?) Receding gums don’t just make you look older — they also dramatically increase your risks for decay, infection and tooth loss. Fortunately, there are ways to treat receding gums for better oral health and a more attractive smile.

Surgical gum grafting is the traditional treatment for receding gums, but this approach uses incisions and sutures to repair receding gums, which means discomfort and a fairly long recovery period. At Rozenberg Dental NYC, we offer an alternative for our New York City patients: state-of-the-art pinhole gum rejuvenation treatments that are lots less invasive and heal in much less time. Here’s how pinhole gum rejuvenation works.

What is pinhole gum rejuvenation?

Pinhole gum rejuvenation is a state-of-the-art restoration method that uses special techniques to restore receded gums without the use of large incisions, grafts, or sutures. Instead, the dentist makes a very small “pinhole” opening in your gums, then uses tiny, specialized instruments to reach the deeper layers of gum tissue. Next, the dentist creates a “flap” of tissue, which is repositioned over the exposed root portion of your tooth.

Once the flap is positioned, the dentist inserts small strips of collagen to hold the tissue in place while it heals. Collagen is routinely used in periodontal procedures, and it’s completely “friendly” to your body. The collagen strips also aid in healing, protecting the tissue flap while it stabilizes in its new position.

How does pinhole rejuvenation compare to traditional gum grafting?

Gum grafting surgery uses tissue taken from another part of your mouth — usually the roof of your mouth — to supplement your gums in areas where they’ve receded. That means you have two surgical sites — one on the roof of your mouth and one where the tissue is being sutured in place. It also means you’ll have two areas to care for while you heal and recover.

Because gum grafting is a surgical procedure that removes tissue from your palate, it also involves a longer recovery time. During your healing, you’ll have to follow special rules for eating and for caring for the surgical sites. Some people have a fair amount of discomfort after the surgery, especially in the area where the tissue was removed.

With pinhole surgery, there is no graft site and there are no incisions. That means you only have one area of your mouth to care for, and healing is much faster. There’s also a lot less swelling and discomfort after pinhole gum rejuvenation compared to traditional gum surgery.

If you have multiple areas of gum recession, the pinhole technique offers still another advantage. While invasive traditional gum grafting typically only treats one or two teeth at a time, pinhole gum rejuvenation can treat multiple areas in a single office visit, thanks to its minimally-invasive approach. One visit means less time spent in the dentist chair and less time devoted to appointments and recovery. 

While gum disease (or periodontal disease) is a major cause of gum recession, it’s not the only cause. Aggressive tooth brushing and chronic tooth grinding can also play a role. Once your gums are restored, we can help you learn new ways to protect your gums and prevent recession in other areas of your mouth, as well.

Don’t let receding gums destroy your smile

Receding gums are a major cause of tooth loss, and they tend to age your smile, too. Although gum disease can happen at any age, it tends to become a lot more common as we get older, thanks in part to other age-related changes. If your gums have already receded, you’re in prime position for deep infections, root damage, and eventual tooth loss. 

Don’t let gum recession take a toll on your health and your confidence. Let the team at Rozenberg Dental NYC restore your gums so you can enjoy a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles. To learn more about pinhole gum rejuvenation or to find out if you’re at risk for gum disease, give our office a call at 212-265-7724, or use the online booking tool to request a consultation.