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Why Pinhole Surgery Is Important | Chicago Dentist

woman receiving dental work

Smoking, grinding, poor hygiene, hormonal changes, and even medications can affect your overall oral health as you may think. Gum recession is not a cosmetic issue, it’s something that can weaken your periodontal arch as your tooth sockets loosen. When you progress in the cycle of gingival recession, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth. More than simply loosening teeth, it can cause them to become misaligned, lost, and hinder your ability to maintain proper oral hygiene.

The benefits of pinhole surgery are that it is non-invasive, meaning the pain is minimal and recovery is quick. Patients do not need to employ anesthesia and will come out of surgery with fewer wound sites than the previous technique.

The Pinhole Technique is the best way to treat gum recession, and If you would like more information about soft tissue grafting, 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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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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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.