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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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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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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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Why Do My Teeth Hurt? | Chicago Dentist

It’s very unsettling when we get a toothache. Not only does the pain give you a major headache, but it likely means a visit to the dentist because, unfortunately, we can’t diagnose our oral pain. And there are many reasons your mouth may hurt. Here is a list of possible issues that may have caused your dental pain:

Temperature sensitivity. If you are feeling pain when you eat or drink hot or cold, it is due to worn tooth enamel or exposed nerves.

Gum recession. As we age, our gums begin to recede, and this causes our teeth roots to be exposed, making you more susceptible to gum disease or other oral infections.

Erosion. 12% of people develop “dentin hypersensitivity” because of a highly acidic diet or brushing too hard, which causes your enamel to erode.

Cavities. Poor diet and dental hygiene can cause your teeth to decay, causing cavities. This is why daily dental hygiene is so important.

Gum infection. 47% of adults over the age of 30 develop gum disease at some point in their lives. Keeping dental appointments is beneficial to stay on top of your mouth’s health.

Cracked tooth or crown. If you find that you’ve cracked a tooth or a crown, make a dental appointment as soon as possible to avoid major tooth pain.

Sinus infection. As your sinuses become inflamed and become pressurized, it can affect your teeth.

Jaw clenching. Grinding your teeth wears down your tooth enamel, which then causes your teeth to hurt.

Dental procedures. Dental work can leave you feeling sore. Take heed of your dentist’s recommendations for aftercare.

Teeth bleaching. While they do improve your smile, bleaching your teeth can cause you some discomfort. It’s temporary but avoid overbleaching.

If you would like more information about tooth pain, 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.

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Don’t Try This at Home | Chicago Dentist

During this pandemic, many of us have tried new DIY options of living life. Some have learned to bake bread, others various Tiktok dances with their children. But whatever you tried to do during this pandemic, it was something homemade and hit-or-miss.

A popular trend that has slipped its way into our culture is DIY dentistry, but it has progressed further than tying a loose tooth to a door with string. No, now patients are forgoing their dentist and trying to straighten their teeth. The patient takes their own molds or goes to a local facility to have scans taken by non-dental personnel, who then produce clear aligners for their teeth.

Although it may seem like going to the dentist or orthodontist is a thing of the past, take a minute to really think about what is actually going on – it may not be what you think…

Because you do not consult a dentist or orthodontist, you may actually cause more damage because you are unaware of how teeth move. Moving teeth is a slow process and should never be rushed. If moved too quickly, your teeth’s roots may not be able to support biting pressure, in addition to loosened teeth, joint problems and headaches. And though your teeth straighten, if pushed outside of the bone, the result can be extensive gum recession and eventual tooth loss.

It may seem too good to be true, and that’s because it is. Your smile is important and should be taken seriously. Seek competent help and guidance from a well-trained dentist or orthodontist. It may seem like a shortcut but may end up being more costly than the immediate benefits.

If you would like more information about cold weather health tips, 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 Are Gums Anyway? | Chicago Dentist

We all know our smile is basically composed of lips, teeth and gums. A set of bright white teeth and a pouty lip, and you’ve got yourself a great smile. But what are our gums? Today we will discuss the basics of what our gums do and how we can keep them nice and healthy our entire lives.

Gum tissue serves two main purposes: it provides a seal around teeth, keeping bacteria away from the tooth root, and it provides physical support for the tooth, helping keep the tooth firmly in its socket. One of the most significant risks of periodontal disease is loss of gum tissue – as bacteria from plaque and tartar spreads beneath the gums, it damages bone and gum tissue, leading to a number of problems.

Dentists and periodontists will advise patients to have professional cleanings to help minimize the likelihood of developing periodontal disease. If they determine that periodontal disease is becoming a problem, they’ll likely advise corrective action such as scaling and root planning, where plaque and tartar is physically removed from the roots of the teeth beneath the gum-line, removing the damaging bacteria and giving the gums an opportunity to heal. In some cases, however, the gum tissue will recede, exposing the roots of the teeth. In these cases, periodontists will recommend a procedure to replace gum tissue over the tooth root (such as gum grafting) to help restore the barrier around the tooth root and protecting the tooth’s long-term health.

If you’re experiencing bleeding, sore, inflamed gums, be sure to speak to a dentist or periodontist soon, so that you can minimize the risk of damage to gum tissue.

If you would like more information about gum recession, 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.