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Pinhole Surgical Technique: What You Need to Know | Chicago Dentist

Woman face smile with perfect teeth looking you

Pioneered by Dr. Chao, the Pinhole® Surgical Technique is a new way to repair gum recession through a pinhole-sized incision, rather than having to cut through the tissue. This new technique will not only reduce the discomfort of grafting surgery but cuts down recovery time as well.

Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions by patients:

How common is gum recession?

While the desire to do something about one’s receding gums was less common than the problem itself (due in part to the expense, discomfort, and recovery time), the issue is fairly common.

How long can I expect the standard gum grafting procedure to take?

The standard procedure requires cutting out a graft of the gum from the palate and grafting it to where it’s needed. To delicately cut and remove the graft tissue and attach it with sutures takes about an hour to an hour and a half for just one or two teeth. It’s the recovery time that would take a while, up to two or three weeks. With Pinhole Surgical Technique, there is no gum grafting anymore. A pinhole is made by a needle, so there’s no scalpel or cutting at all. Then we shift the tissue down with very little trauma to the tissue. This reduces procedural discomfort, operation time, and recovery.

Will I need another procedure in a few years?

The Pinhole Surgical Technique is expected to be permanent.

If you would like more information about Pinhole Surgical Technique, call Dr. Peter O. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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Understanding Gingival Recession | Chicago Dentist

Young woman smiling with perfect dental health

We all do our best to care for our teeth and gums to maintain our oral health and beautiful smile. Yet, gingival recession (aka gum recession), carries a number of underlying factors that cannot be as easily recognized as the recession itself. Most people consider the aesthetic appearance of our smile when discussing recession, but by that point, it’s likely the underlying cause has gone untreated for a long time. Your dentist will assess your need for a gum graft and the probability of success after a graft against several factors such as how your teeth are moving and the rate of recession.

Here is an example of a patient’s experience with a tissue graft:

The patient is a 32-year-old female who does not like to smile because of her appearance when she smiles. When the lips are retracted, we get a better understanding of how much recession there is throughout her mouth. In 2005, we successfully reconstructed the tissue that had receded using a minimally invasive approach with connective tissue grafts. The patient did not wear her night guard as recommended to keep her teeth from shifting.

She returned 5 years later because of an increased recession occurring on the front right central incisor. All of the other areas had remained stable except for this tooth. On closer inspection, we get a better understanding of why the one tooth continued to recede. Without the protection of the appliance, the front tooth continued to shift out of the bone, causing the loss of the supporting bone and leading to loss of tissue.

If you find that you are dealing with gum recession, it is important to contact your Chicago dentist as soon as possible to treat this issue.

If you would like more information about gum recession, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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You Have Receding Gums, Now What? | Chicago Dentist

Young woman smiling with perfect dental health

Receding gums can change the look of your gorgeous smile over time, and for some, this may degrade their confidence. Receding gums is a natural phenomenon that occurs as we age. Yet, the procedure to correct the issue has long been an invasive process. That is until the revolutionary Pinhole Technique was created, and adopted by our practice.

When you embark on correcting gum recession, your dentist aims to rebuild lost tissue and cover the roots to prevent infection. Addressing recession, and its associated implications are paramount to correcting existing issues before they worsen. In the 1990s, Dr. Cabrera published an article in The Journal of the American Dental Association in 1995 titled The Connective Tissue Graft, and later reprinted in The Canadian Dental Journal discussing the connective tissue graft that had long been the industry standard procedure.

So, what is the Pinhole procedure, and how does it work to address receding gums? A small puncture creates an opening on either side of the roof of one’s mouth, or behind the molars. Tissue is then secured to recessed areas with very fine stitches. This procedure is much less invasive, requiring only over-the-counter medication to address any pain a patient may experience after treatment.

Stop hiding your beautiful smile due to gum recession. Dr. Cabrera is an experienced practitioner of the Pinhole method, allowing individuals with receding gums to regain their confidence to show off their smiles.

For more information about receding gums or the Pinhole method, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com today.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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The Link Between Gum Recession and Permanent Retainers | Chicago Dentist

Woman face smile with perfect teeth looking you

One of the goals of orthodontic therapy is to retain the teeth in their final position with the goal being the prevention of relapse. There are different means by which an orthodontist may attain this goal, but it’s usually through using a removable or fixed retainer, depending on the patient’s needs.

A fixed retainer also referred to as a permanent retainer, is bonded to the inside of the lower front six teeth. Essentially, a wire is tacked into place across these teeth and can only be removed by a dental professional. Fixed retainers are a convenient option that removes the potential for missed days or the transfer of unwanted bacteria into the mouth from the improper care of a removable retainer. Just because the retainer s fixed, doesn’t mean it’s passive, as we have seen an increase of teeth being forced out of the bone over time.

One patient reported that a bone graft she had done several months prior had failed. We found that in fact, the position of that tooth made it impossible for the graft to succeed in the first place. An accurate diagnosis is the first step in an effective treatment plan.

If you notice the warning signs that recession may be happening, it’s important to call or visit your periodontist. Dr. Cabrera is an expert in his field and understands what to look for as potential contributing factors of recession. If a fixed retainer is causing the recession, Dr. Cabrera will understand how best to address your needs.

If you would like more information about retainers, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

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Soft Tissue Grafting: A Case Study | Chicago Dentist

Although most people concentrate on the teeth for an attractive, healthy smile, the appearance of the gums cannot be ignored. Because your gums are the “frame of your smile”, an ugly frame will destroy the appearance of a beautiful smile. Knowing this, we will often use soft tissue to enhance the appearance of the tissue in conjunction with new restorations. The following case demonstrates one such example:

This case illustrates a 35-year-old physician who was missing two teeth in the front and had a bridge placed many years ago. She did not like the appearance of the bridge and wanted to replace it. The before photos illustrate how an unsightly indentation in the gum tissue compromised the appearance of the bridge. In addition to replacing the bridge, we wanted to improve the appearance of the tissue in order to improve her “picture frame”. Utilizing minimally invasive tunneling procedures, a collagen graft was placed to build out the tissue and create an appearance that a tooth was present, but in actuality, it is missing. The improvement was seen immediately at the time of surgery, and after several weeks in a new temporary bridge, the result is even more apparent. As you can see, we have created the illusion that there are teeth present by simply reconstructing the tissue.

If you find that you have gums that are affecting your smile and self-confidence, soft tissue grafting may just be the solution you’ve been looking for. Not only will it improve the look of your gums but will also give you a discreet way to bring back a reason to smile.

If you would like more information about dental bridges, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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What to Do When You Develop Receding Gums | Chicago Dentist

There is little more deflating to your smile than receding gums. Not only does it change the look of your smile, but it can also cause your overall demeanor to change as well. We all want a great smile to show off. But receding gums is a natural thing to happen as we age. Fortunately, there are solutions to this dental issue, and it doesn’t have to be as invasive as it once was.

The goal of correcting gum recession is to rebuild the lost tissues and where possible, cover the roots in order to prevent infection. It is important to fix this dental issue before more extreme issues, like infection or gum disease, arise in the future. There are many procedures to accomplish this. One of the earliest treatments published was the connective tissue graft introduced in the early 1990’s, and can be seen in an article published by Dr. Cabrera in The Journal of the American Dental Association in 1995 titled The Connective Tissue Graft, and later reprinted in The Canadian Dental Journal.

But what does this treatment option entail? A very small opening is created either on the roof of the mouth or behind the last upper teeth. The tissue is then secured to the area of recession with small (slightly bigger than a human hair) sutures (stitches). In most cases, recovery is uneventful, requiring no more than over-the-counter medication.

This approach has been refined over the years. Today, we also employ a number of procedures classified as tunnels, which use very small incisions to accomplish the surgery. As you can see, there is no reason to hide your smile with receding gums – visiting a dental professional can easily repair the look of your smile and the health of your gums.

If you would like more information about rececding gums, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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Is Grafting Possible Without Teeth? | Chicago Dentist

Although most people concentrate on the teeth for an attractive, healthy smile, the appearance of the gums cannot be ignored. It has been said that the gums are the frame of the picture. You can have a nice picture, but an ugly frame will destroy the appearance. We will often use soft tissue to enhance the appearance of the tissue in conjunction with new restorations. The following case demonstrates one such example:

This case illustrates a 35-year old physician who was missing two teeth in the front and had a bridge placed many years ago. She did not like the appearance of the bridge and wanted to replace it. The before photos illustrate how an unsightly indentation in the gum tissue compromised the appearance of the bridge. In addition to replacing the bridge, we wanted to improve the appearance of the tissue in order to improve her “picture frame”. Utilizing minimally invasive tunneling procedures, a collagen graft was placed to build out the tissue and create an appearance that a tooth was present, but it’s missing. The improvement was seen immediately at the time of surgery, and after several weeks in a new temporary bridge, the result is even more apparent. As you can see, we have created the illusion that there are teeth present by simply reconstructing the tissue.

If you find that you have gums that are affecting your smile and self-confidence, soft tissue grafting may just be the solution you’ve been looking for. Not only will it improve the look of your gums but will also give you a discreet way to bring back a reason to smile.

If you would like more information about tissue grafting, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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When It Is Time to See a Periodontist | Chicago Dentist

While you have a great chance of developing gum disease at some point in your life, there are times when you need to seek out the help of a specialist. A periodontist is a dentist specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infections and diseases in the soft tissues surrounding the teeth, and the jawbone. If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, it is important that you schedule an appointment with a periodontist without delay:

  • Bleeding while eating or brushing
  • Bad breath
  • Loose teeth and gum recession
  • Gangrene in the tissues
  • Related health conditions

Before initiating any dental treatment, the periodontist will conduct an examination of the gums, jawbone and general condition of the teeth. Once diagnosed, the periodontist has a number of surgical and non-surgical options available to treat the underlying infection, and together you will come up with a treatment plan to repair any damage that has or may happen in the future.

Gingivitis/mild periodontal disease. When the gum pockets are large, the periodontist or hygienist may perform scaling and root planing to remove debris from the pockets and allow them to heal

Moderate periodontal disease. Larger gum pockets require a more extensive scaling and root planning cleaning might be required and will be performed under local anesthetic.

Advanced periodontal disease. When gum pockets are accompanied by bone loss and gum recession, scaling and root planning will always be performed as the initial nonsurgical treatment and may require surgical treatment to reduce pocket depth.

Tooth loss. Where one or several teeth are missing due to periodontal disease, dental implants are an effective option if the bone is strong enough. However, bone grafts may be performed by the periodontist to provide a suitable anchor for the new tooth/teeth.

If you would like more information about gum disease, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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When It’s Time for a Gum Graft | Chicago Dentist

There is little more deflating to your smile than receding gums. Not only does it change the look of your smile, but it can also cause your overall demeanor to change as well. But for many of us, it can’t be helped – gum recession often goes hand-in-hand with the aging process or genetics. It’s really disheartening as we love to show off our smiles. Worry not – the dental industry has addressed this issue and it doesn’t have to be as invasive as it once was.

The goal of correcting gum recession is to rebuild the lost tissues and, where possible, cover the roots. It is important to fix this dental issue before more extreme dental issues develop. One of the earliest treatments published was the connective tissue graft introduced in the early 1990’s and can be seen in an article published by Dr. Cabrera in The Journal of the American Dental Association in 1995.

But what does this treatment option entail? This procedure is essentially plastic surgery in the mouth. A very small opening is created either on the roof of the mouth or behind the last upper teeth. The tissue is then secured to the area of recession with small (slightly bigger than a human hair) sutures (stitches). In most cases, recovery is uneventful, requiring no more than over-the-counter medication.

This approach has been refined over the years. Today, we also employ a number of procedures classified as tunnels, which use very small incisions to accomplish the surgery. So, as you can see, there is no reason to hide your smile from the world because of receding gums – visiting your dental professional can easily repair the look of your smile and the health of your gums.

If you would like more information about gum grafting, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.

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Stop Receding Gums with a Tissue Graft | Chicago Dentist

There is little more deflating to your smile than receding gums. Not only does it change the look of your smile, but it can also cause your overall demeanor to change as well. We all want a great smile to show off. Unfortunately, it is a fact of life as we age. Worry not – there is a solution.

The goal of correcting gum recession is to rebuild the lost tissues, and where possible, cover the roots. It is important to fix this dental issue before more extreme issues, like infection or gum disease, arise. One of the earliest treatments published was the connective tissue graft introduced in the early 1990’s and can be seen in an article published by Dr. Cabrera in The Journal of the American Dental Association in 1995 titled The Connective Tissue Graft, and later reprinted in The Canadian Dental Journal.

But what does this treatment option entail? This procedure is essentially plastic surgery in the mouth. A very small opening is created either on the roof of the mouth or behind the last upper teeth. The tissue is then secured to the area of recession with small (slightly bigger than a human hair) sutures (stitches). In most cases, recovery is uneventful, requiring no more than over-the-counter medication.

This approach has been refined over the years. Today, we also employ a number of procedures classified as tunnels, which use very small incisions to accomplish the surgery. So, as you can see, there is no reason to hide your smile with receding gums – just need to consult with your dentist.

If you would like more information about connective tissue graft, call Dr. Cabrera in Chicago, IL at 312-994-7939 or visit www.perioimplantchicago.com.

Dr. Peter O. Cabrera proudly serves Chicago and all surrounding areas.