What Causes Gum Recession?
Gum recession is the progressive loss of gum tissue over time. It is most common in people over the age of 40, but can begin much sooner in some cases. If left untreated, gum recession can result in tooth loss. Some of the most common factors that contribute to gum recession include poor oral hygiene habits, diabetes, and smoking. Certain medications can also cause gum related issues, which can make it more difficult to maintain proper oral hygiene.
Correcting Gum Recession
In our Alpharetta dentist office, we can help reverse gum recession through innovative procedures.
Pinhole Surgical Technique – Unlike traditional surgical options for treating gum recession, the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) is incision-free and non-invasive. A tiny hole is created, and your gums are gently shifted into their proper position. PST requires no cutting or sutures at any point in the treatment.
Gum Grafting – Gum grafting promotes the growth of new, healthy gum tissue by utilizing your existing gums. During a graft, our doctor will move healthy gum tissue to an area where recession is occurring. By thickening your gum tissue, your gums will be less prone to infection, and your chances of further gum recession are decreased.
Advanced Cosmetic & Family Dentistry also offers treatments including scaling and root planning to promote healthy gums.
Pinhole Surgical Grafting Technique
Unlike traditional surgical options for treating gum recession, the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) is incision-free and non-invasive. Our doctors have been trained and certified to use PST as part of our ongoing commitment to provide the latest techniques and technologies to our patients.
The term “gum recession” is used to describe a loss of soft tissue along the gumline. The loss of gum tissue is most often caused by periodontal disease, abrasive brushing habits, or aging. When the gumline recedes, the roots of the teeth can become exposed. This can lead to tooth decay below the gumline. PST is a treatment technique that is used to correct gum recession and to help prevent gumline tooth decay.
Conventional treatment for gum recession involves the grafting of new soft tissue onto the patient’s gums. The tissue used for this graft is obtained either from the patient’s own tissues or from a donor. In grafting, the new tissue is sutured in place against the gums, where it bonds with the natural gums during the healing process. This method has long been effective in treating gum recession. However, PST provides comparable results with significantly less discomfort, along with other benefits.
When utilizing PST, our experienced doctor uses a needle to make a tiny hole (or “pinhole”) in the gum tissue. We then use specially designed instruments to gently loosen the gum tissue through that minute hole, expanding the tissue to its proper coverage. PST requires no cutting or sutures at any point in the treatment.
Additional benefits of PST include
- Patients experience less discomfort during treatment and recovery with PST than with conventional surgical treatment.
- Patients have reduced recovery time with PST than with grafting.
- PST does not require sutures.
- PST involves no invasive cutting.
- PST does not use tissue grafting.
- Patients will notice immediate cosmetic improvement with PST.
- PST provides long-lasting results.
Advanced Cosmetic & Family Dentistry is certified to provide PST for gum recession treatments. The entire team is committed to providing state-of- the-art dentistry with comfort and care. For more information on the Pinhole Surgical Technique or to schedule a consultation, contact our office today.
