Question 1

What is gum recession?

Accepted Answer

Gum recession refers to the loss of gum tissue along the gumline. This can occur as a result of periodontal disease (gingivitis, periodontitis, advanced periodontitis), the natural aging process, or abrasive habits when it comes to brushing the teeth.

Question 2

Why should gum recession be taken seriously?

Accepted Answer

When gum recession occurs, the root structure of the tooth becomes exposed. This means that tooth decay and other problems can affect the teeth along the gumline and beneath it. Since healthy gums are essential for a healthy mouth, getting gum recession treated is important for lasting dental wellness.

Question 3

What is the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST)?

Accepted Answer

The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is a minimally invasive option for treating gum recession. Unlike traditional grafting techniques, PST is incision and suture free.
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All of the tools and techniques used to perform the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique were created by Dr. John Chao, who trained our doctor.

Question 4

How does the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST) differ from traditional gum grafting?

Accepted Answer

Traditional gum recession treatments involve the use of donor tissue or soft tissue grafts in order to rebuild the gumline. This soft tissue would be sutured in place and would join with existing gum tissue as it healed.
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While this traditional grafting treatment is effective, comparable results with better patient experience can be achieved through the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique.

Question 5

How is Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST) performed?

Accepted Answer

During the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique, a needle is used to make a small hole in the patient’s existing gum tissue. Through this pinhole, special instruments are used to gently loosen the gum tissue. These tools help expand and slide the gumline to cover the exposed root structure.
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There are no grafts, no sutures, and no incisions needed with the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique. It simply involves the adjustment of the existing tissue.

Question 6

What are the benefits of Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST)?

Accepted Answer

The benefits of the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique are many:
 
Less discomfort for the patient after treatment
Faster recovery for the patient than traditional grafting
No need for uncomfortable sutures
No need for scalpels or invasive surgical tools
No need to take donor tissue from the patient’s palate
Excellent, natural-looking, long-lasting results

Question 7

Why choose Pinhole® gum surgery?

Accepted Answer

If you are still wondering if you should choose Pinhole® gum surgery, please watch the videos on this page. They will help you see that this procedure is the quickest and least painful gum rejuvenation treatment available. There is very little pain and recuperation time. More than one spot can be treated at once, and there is almost immediate cosmetic improvement along the gumline. Furthermore, leaving gum recession untreated can result in damage to the tissues and bones of your mouth and possibly even tooth loss.

Question 8

How long does Pinhole® surgery last?

Accepted Answer

The length of a Pinhole® gum surgery will depend on how many teeth require gum rejuvenation. Several pinholes can be made in one appointment, which allows a maximum of teeth to be treated in one appointment.

Question 9

Is the Pinhole® technique painful?

Accepted Answer

The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is scalpel and suture free, so there will be little to no post-operative swelling, bruising, bleeding, or pain. During the procedure, a local anesthetic or other pain-relief measure may be taken to make the procedure as painless as possible.

Watch Videos Featuring Dr. Crapo for Valuable Dental Advice

Victoria Chamber of Commerce Features Dr. Crapo

In this video series, Dr. Crapo and his associate answer questions about IV sedation, Teeth in a Day, dental implants, toothpaste, sleep apnea, dentures, and more.

Q&A Video Series

Can you get your teeth done in one day?

What is IV sedation dentistry?

What are dental implants?

Which part of dentistry do you love the most?

Is fluoride a necessary ingredient in toothpaste?

Has dentistry changed?

Should I still visit the dentist if I have dentures?

Check Around: Expert Advice

What is implant dentistry?

What is IV sedation dentistry?

What is cosmetic dentistry?

Are you currently accepting new patients?

Do you take insurance?

When should I schedule my child’s first dental visit?

How often should my child see a pediatric dentist?

What can I expect during my child’s first dental visit?

What are the common dental issues in children?

Is teeth whitening safe?

How does teeth whitening work?

How long does teeth whitening last?

Is teeth whitening painful?

How are porcelain veneers different from composite veneers?

What dental issues can porcelain address?

What’s the process of getting porcelain veneers?

Are porcelain veneers permanent?

Why should I replace a single tooth?

Who is an ideal candidate for single implants with crowns?

What are the risks involved with this implant?

What advantages do single-tooth implants have over bridges?

What’s the main difference between dental bridges and implants?

Are dental implants suitable for everyone?

How long does getting dental implants take, from start to finish?

Do dental bridges require special care compared to natural teeth?

Are dental implants permanent?

Are dental implants painful?

What are composite fillings?

Who can have composite filling treatment?

How are composite fillings different from other types of fillings?

Are composite fillings durable?

How long do composite fillings last?

Are crowns on front teeth noticeable?

How long do dental crowns last?

Does insurance cover dental crowns?

How do I care for my dental crown?

Do dentures hurt?

Can you sleep with dentures in?

How long do dentures last?

Is a root canal painful?

How long does a root canal procedure take?

Do I need to see a specialist for root canal therapy?

Is root canal therapy better than tooth extraction?

Can I drink and eat normally after root canal therapy?

How long does it take to fully recover from root canal therapy?

Is root canal therapy covered by dental insurance?

What do dentists and periodontists do?

How often should I see my dentist?

Can periodontal disease be reversed?

What are the risks of untreated periodontal disease?

What treatments are available for advanced gum disease?

What is gum recession?

Why should gum recession be taken seriously?

What is the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST)?

How does the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST) differ from traditional gum grafting?

How is Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST) performed?

What are the benefits of Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST)?

Why choose Pinhole® gum surgery?

How long does Pinhole® surgery last?

Is the Pinhole® technique painful?

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