If your gums are receding, you may experience dental sensitivity. You may even be able to see your tooth roots, making you self-conscious. Left untreated, gum recession is a threat to dental health. It can cause you to lose teeth and bone. A gum graft is the usual fix for this condition. But we offer a treatment that is better than a gum graft: the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique. 

Let’s compare the two treatments. Your dentist removes tissue, usually from the roof of your mouth, for a grafting procedure. It’s stitched to your gums to conceal the recession. The Chao treatment involves making a pinhole-sized opening in your gums, then gently moving the tissue into place using special equipment. Collagen fibers are used to keep the tissue where it belongs.

If you think your gums are receding, call Highland Advanced Dental Care at 248-329-3552 for an appointment. In the meantime, check out the advantages the Chao procedure offers over a gum graft:

  • Quicker Treatment – A Chao treatment typically takes less time than a grafting procedure. In fact, it’s sometimes called “a lunchtime gum lift” as it commonly can be completed during a lunch hour. 
  • No Incisions or Stitching – The pinhole procedure is more comfortable because no incisions or stitching are needed. We’ll numb your gums beforehand so you won’t feel a thing. If you are nervous, you can also receive laughing gas to help you relax. 
  • Easier Recovery – After a graft, you will usually experience some bleeding, swelling, and bruising. You’ll have to be very careful brushing and flossing. You’ll also need to stick to soft, bland food for a week or longer. After pinhole surgery, neither your oral hygiene nor your diet will need to change much. You can resume your normal habits within a day or two. With no incisions, your gums won’t feel sore afterward. Your risk of infection or other complications is lower too. 
  • Natural Looking Gums – The tissue used for a graft often doesn’t match your gum tissue exactly. Not only that, but it will appear white while your gums heal. Since all your dentist does for a Chao procedure is manipulate your gum tissue, it will look completely natural. 

You know you’re in good hands with Dr. LoCascio for your Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique. He was the first general dentist in Michigan to be trained in this innovative treatment. 

If you notice gums pulling away from your teeth or sensitivity when consuming hot or cold substances, call us ASAP at 248-329-3552. You can also visit us online to schedule an appointment in Highland, MI. 

Schedule an exam if your gums are tender or bleeding or if they look more red than pink. Those are common signs of gum disease. If disease is treated in its early stages, you can avoid receding gums and the problems they cause.