When your gums recede, which can happen for any number of reasons, it does things to your smile, and none of them are good. Receding gums expose the tooth roots which may make you hesitant to smile. There’s also the possibility of dental infections which can lead to tooth loss. Fortunately, Dr. Kevin McMahon of Edgewood Dental Care can restore your gum line to where it should be with a revolutionary new technique!

That Was The Way It Was

Traditionally, receding gums have been addressed by gum grafting. That’s a surgical procedure that involves taking tissue from elsewhere in the mouth (or using donor tissue) and surgically grafting it onto the existing tissue to restore the gum line.

There’s no doubt that gum grafting is effective, but it’s often painful and has a relatively long healing time – as long as two to three weeks, in some cases. Generally, proper management after surgery avoids infection, but it does happen.

Enter the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique

In contrast to gum grafting, this remarkable technique requires no additional tissue. Dr. Kevin McMahon is certified in this quick and remarkably pain-free procedure. Most people describe the sensation the day afterward as “discomfort” and manage quite well on over-the-counter pain medications.

Dr. McMahon will start by numbing the area to be treated, and then make a tiny pinhole in the gum where it needs to be restored. He’ll use a special tool to gently free the gum and lift it back into position. The procedure is so quick that it’s often possible to address multiple locations on the gums in a single appointment. That’s why the Chao Pinhole® surgical technique has earned the nickname of the “lunchtime gum lift!”

Healing from this procedure generally takes only a few days and infection is rare.
No grafted tissue, no incisions, no sutures, and minimal healing time and pain make this approach to treating receding gums truly revolutionary.

For those who might be uncomfortable during the procedure, we’re happy to offer three levels of dental sedation to allow you to relax. If you prefer, we can even ensure that you’ll pretty much forget the whole thing! Depending on the level of dental sedation, you may need someone to drive you to and from the appointment as the sedative effects can linger.

You might be wondering whether the results will last. There’s no way to know for sure, but you should know that there are many patients whose gum line remains essentially unchanged for more than 9 years!

Is It Right For You?

That’s not a simple question. Everyone’s degree and extent of gum recession is different, so there’s no “one size fits all” answer.

When you schedule an appointment with Edgewood Dental Care in Edgewood, KY, Dr. McMahon will perform a thorough examination to assess the conditions of your gums. He’ll determine the best treatment approach for your needs.

You don’t have to live with receding gums that detract from your smile and may endanger your health. Get started by calling Edgewood Dental Care in Edgewood, KY at 859-474-7830 today.