Say No to Gum Grafting

iStock-1133311072-1-300x200

We don’t give much thought to our gums. Sure we expect them to hold our teeth in place and to protect the roots. We expect them to be pink and healthy.

But they often begin to pull back upward on the teeth. Gum recession.

Gum recession happens with aging. It happens when we are too aggressive when we brush. And it is one of the telltale signs of gum disease.

It may not seem like a big deal, but it can actually be a real problem. That’s because our tooth roots aren’t covered with enamel as the rest of the tooth is. Enamel is the great protector of our teeth. So, as your gums recede the tooth roots can be exposed to bacteria and decay.

You’ve heard of gum grafting and other treatments that don’t sound like a whole lot of fun. Fortunately for our Implant Dentistry patients, Dr. Brown is one of the few dentists worldwide who has extensive training in a new method to treat receding gums — pinhole gum rejuvenation. The pinhole method is an amazingly easy-to-take treatment to fix your receding gums at our Melbourne offices.

Why are my gums receding?

The most common reasons for gum recession are:

  • Poor hygiene— Gum recession is one of the first signs of gum disease.
  • Overly aggressive brushing or flossing— Brushing twice a day is great. Brushing too hard with too firm a toothbrush is bad, as it makes your gums retreat in reaction.
  • Genetics— If your parents had receding gums, you probably do as well. Thanks, Mom and Dad!
  • Abnormal alignment— Crooked teeth can cause the gums to recede.
  • Bruxism— Grinding your teeth at night causes recession.
  • Trauma— If you’ve injured your teeth your gums can pull back.

Pinhole method to the rescue

Traditionally, the only way to address gum recession was with gum grafting. Tissue was taken from the roof of the mouth and transplanted under the gums down further onto the teeth (where the gums originally were). This sounds about as fun as it is.

A new method for gum rejuvenation was developed by Dr. Chao. Rather than taking gum tissue from the roof of the mouth and grafting it, the Chao Pinhole Technique simply places a small hole in the tissue above the gums and then the gums are pushed downwards to cover the recession. Collagen is then placed into the hole to add structure and keep the gum tissue in place. In this method, there are no sutures and the holes to access the gums heal quickly, often in the first day.

Dr. Brown is one of the few practitioners worldwide who has received training from the Chao Pinhole Academy, and is certified in this new procedure.

Receding gums aren’t all that rare. Treating them with the relatively easy Chao Pinhole Technique is, but Dr. Brown can do it for you. Give us a call at (321) 372-7700 to make an appointment.

Scroll to Top
Skip to content