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

No one wants receding gums, but unfortunately, it’s a fact of life. Fortunately, there is a way to repair the issue without having to use painful gum grafting. 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. This new technique will not only reduce discomfort grafting surgery can do, but also cut down recovery time. Here are some of the common questions asked:

Is gum recession something that you see often? If it isn’t a painful result, chances are patients won’t address the issue. Before the Pinhole Surgical Technique, a lot of people are put in a dilemma of whether they should fix it with a very painful, drawn out gum grafting procedure, try to ignore it, or try a temporary fix by placing a filling on the exposed root.

How long does the standard gum grafting procedure 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. But what is more drawn out is the recovery time, which could 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.

Will I have to do this often? This is expected to be permanent and lasts as long as any other procedure. Maintenance will keep the procedure intact.

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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Recession and Permanent Orthodontic Retainers | Chicago Dentist

An important component of orthodontic therapy is retaining the teeth in their final position to prevent relapse. This retention is either in the form of a removable retainer or a fixed, permanent retainer. The latter is typically Used on the inside part of the lower front teeth by bonding a wire to the six front teeth. However, not all wires are passive. In some cases, the wire retains tension and will force the teeth out of the bone over time.

We have seen an increased number of cases over the past few years.

The first case (fig 4) shows the recession and the wire along the tongue side. The second case (5-8) shows severe localized recession due to the torqueing motion of the wire.

This patient reported that she had a failed graft done several months before. In reality, the position of the tooth made it virtually impossible for any graft to succeed. This highlights that the most Important part of any treatment is an accurate diagnosis. The third case reflects the same problem.

If you see recession it is time to visit a periodontist. As part of the comprehensive exam, Dr. Cabrera will check all factors that may be contributing to the recession. If a fixed retainer is contributing to the problem, Dr. Cabrera will inform you and make the appropriate recommendation.

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.