Periodontics

Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique

Restore receding gums through a single pinhole — no incisions, no grafts.

Two clinicians during a surgical procedure

Periodontics

Treat gum recession — without scalpels or sutures.

Patients with receding gums may be good candidates for the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST). This procedure is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional gum grafting. PST doesn’t require scalpels, sutures, or tissue to be removed from the palate. Instead, a periodontist creates a small pinhole in the gum tissue and uses specialized instruments to gently loosen and reposition the gums over the exposed portions of the teeth. Because the procedure involves no incisions or stitches, patients often experience a shorter recovery period with less swelling, bleeding, pain, and discomfort than may occur with conventional gum grafting.

At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, our specialty-trained periodontists our specialty-trained periodontists have years of experience treating a wide range of stages of gum disease and placing dental implants. To learn more about the Pinhole Surgical Technique, our clinic facilities, or to schedule an appointment for a procedure, contact our Alexandria, VA office at (703) 823-2422 or our Washington, D.C. office at (202) 296-3360.

Three clinicians during a periodontal procedure

The Procedure

What to expect from your treatment.

Here's what your chao pinhole surgical technique treatment looks like, step by step.

The Pinhole Surgical Technique Procedure Will Begin with

The Pinhole Surgical Technique procedure will begin with your periodontist making small holes (approximately 6-7 mm) directly in your gumline above your mucogingival junction. Once the holes have been made, they will use specialized instruments to reposition your gums into the desired position. Once your periodontist is satisfied with the positioning, collagen strips will be placed to bulk up and support the new position of the gum. The number of pinholes that will be required will depend upon how many teeth require attention, but each pinhole that is made can address three teeth.

Why Pinhole Surgery

Pinhole surgical technique is suggested for patients who have a gummy smile or who have developed periodontitis, resulting in gum recession. Periodontitis is an increasingly common inflammatory condition of the bone and gums surrounding the teeth. If left untreated, a number of issues can develop, such as swelling and/or bleeding gums, or gums that begin to recede. Gum recession occurs when the margin of gum tissue that surrounds your teeth begins to pull back or wear, resulting in more of your teeth or their roots being exposed.

In addition to longer-looking teeth and visible roots, other common symptoms of gum recession include increased tooth sensitivity, bleeding, inflammation, and halitosis. An increasing number of studies also indicate that chronic inflammation of the gums can lead to systemic inflammation, which increases your risk of developing serious health issues, such as dementia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, or heart disease.

Gum Graft vs Pinhole Surgical Technique

The traditional method for treating gum recession has been gum grafting, a procedure that involves removing healthy tissue from one area of the mouth and grafting that tissue onto the area(s) that require support. While gum grafting is an effective method for treating gum recession, Pinhole Surgical Technique has the same efficacy but has the added value of being far less invasive and having a much shorter recovery time, due to its eliminating the need for cutting and stitches. Because it has the same level of efficacy as gum grafting while simultaneously reducing the patient’s recovery process, Pinhole Surgical Technique has become an increasingly popular treatment option.

Recovery & Aftercare

A short recovery, a long-term result.

As previously stated, one of the biggest benefits of the Pinhole Surgical Technique procedure is that recovery time is minimal, which means you will not have to alter your diet, and your gums should be fully healed in no time. Although it will not be necessary to follow special aftercare instructions, it is important to be aware of the reason this procedure was needed in the first place. Continue practicing good daily oral hygiene practices. Brush and floss twice daily, and schedule regular visits to your periodontist to ensure that your teeth receive regular professional cleanings, which will reduce your risk of developing gingivitis or periodontitis. If you follow these best practices, you will enjoy a bright and healthy smile for many years to come.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about this treatment.

What is Pinhole Surgical Technique FAQ?

John Chao, D.D.S. invented and patented the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) washington dc . PST is a breakthrough technique which is used for treating gum recession. Gum recession is the loss of gum tissue, specifically along the gumline. This condition can occur as a result of periodontal disease, including gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis, from the natural aging process or due to abrasive habits such as aggressively brushing the teeth. Gum recession is one of the many different signs of gum disease. There are numerous different issues that can cause gum recession which can include aggressive brushing, grinding the teeth, periodontal disease, a lack of gingival tissue which can give the appearance of long teeth or a side effect from specific medications. Receding gums give an aged appearance of your smile and face.

What is Pinhole Surgical Technique Success Rate?

While there is some risk involved in undergoing any procedure, the Pinhole Surgical Technique has an extremely high success rate of over 90%. This is an equivalent success rate compared to the traditional gum grafting method. It is important to mention that a major factor that contributes to a prolonged success after the procedure is the level of oral hygiene the patient practices. Patients are generally able to return to their regular daily activities immediately following the PST procedure. It is important, however, to avoid brushing or flossing for the first 24 hours following the procedure in order to give the gums adequate time to heal. Patients are also encouraged to follow a soft food diet for at least the first 24 hours following the procedure. After this 24 hour period, patients can start reintroducing more firm foods. There may be some mild discomfort during this period, but it is usually managed using an over-the-counter pain relief medication.

What is Pinhole Surgical Technique vs Gum Grafting for Gum Recession?

Patients who experienced gum recession in the past were required to undergo gum grafting in order to reverse the negative effects. Unfortunately, gum grafting is an invasive surgery which involves the transfer of gum tissue from one area of the mouth to the impacted location. In addition, gum grafting usually requires both scalpels and sutures. Gum recession is a one of the many different oral issues which people can encounter as they age. As the gum tissue recedes over time, it leaves a larger surface area of the tooth which is exposed. In some cases, the gums retreat enough and reveal the roots. In addition to being aesthetically undesirable, receding gums can also make the mouth more vulnerable to infections.

Cost & Payment

Money shouldn't stand between you and the care you deserve.

The cost of your Pinhole Surgical Technique treatment will depend on a variety of factors, including your dental insurance plan, whether or not additional procedures are required, the severity of your case, and what type of dental sedation (if any) is used.

At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we are committed to ensuring that money is not a deterrent to our patients receiving the optimal dental health care they deserve. For this reason, we offer a range of payment options regardless of what type of treatment you are having, which our staff will be happy to explain and assist with. Our office insurance coordinators work with other insurance companies to assist patients with their claims.

For your convenience, Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry accepts cash, check, debit, and credit cards (Mastercard, American Express, Visa, and Discover). Our clinic also accepts GreenSky Patient Solutions, a financing option for procedures and treatments not typically covered by insurance or when insurance does not cover the entire cost. We are happy to provide an application in our office. You can find out more information about this service at https://www.greensky.com/patient-faq/.

For your convenience, we accept:

Cash and check
Debit cards
Credit cards (Mastercard, American Express, Visa, Discover)
GreenSky Patient Solutions financing

Ask about your treatment

Where We Practice

Care delivered at three Washington-area offices.

Washington, DC

2311 M Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20037

(202) 296-3360

Alexandria, VA

4660 Kenmore Avenue, Suite 300 & 312
Alexandria, VA 22304

(703) 823-2422

Reston, VA

1886 Metro Center Drive, Suite 610
Reston, VA 20190

(703) 689-4442

Request An Appointment

Let us help you achieve a healthier, more confident smile.

Contact us with any questions or to schedule a consultation at our Washington DC, Alexandria, or Reston office. We look forward to welcoming you.