Pinhole Surgical Technique PST™
What is PST™?
The Pinhole Surgical Technique PST™ is a procedure in which Dr. Lingam uses specialized instruments to make a small hole in your gum to gently loosen tissue to glide it over the receded part of your tooth. Collagen is then added to stabilize the area of gum recession. This new method is simple, suture-free and minimally invasive.
PST™ was developed and patented by John Chao, D.D.S. It has been featured in the International Journal of Periodontics, one of the most prestigious dentistry journals in the world.
What causes gum recession?
There are a number of factors that case gum recession. When gum recession occurs “pockets” or gaps form between the teeth and gumline, making it easy for disease causing bacteria to build up. If left untreated, the supporting tissue and bone structures of the teeth can be severely damaged, and may ultimately result in loss of teeth.
Why choose PST™?
Unlike gum grafting, The Pinhole Surgical Technique PST™ is minimally invasive and does not cut gum tissue, making it a much less painful option. Gum recession was traditionally treated using a connective tissue graft, which “harvests” gum tissue from the roof of the mouth and then sutures it to the affected area. Connective tissue grafts have a recovery period of up to three weeks and patients often experience side effects including: gum pain, swelling and bleeding. Palatal tissue grafts (tissue taken from the roof of your mouth) also have a different esthetic appearance than normal gum tissue, as the color and texture of roof tissue does not match that of your gums. Other methods, such as using donor tissues, may require intricate suturing, leading to possible complications and infection.
Benefits of PST™
- Non-invasive
- Reduces the side effects of gum surgery (bleeding, swelling, gum pain)
- Near-immediate cosmetic improvement
- Incision and suture-free
- Accelerated recovery
- One visit can treat multiple areas of recession
If you have any concerns about possible gum recession, or are worried about the side effects of gum grafting, contact our office today to schedule an appointment. We will be happy to discuss the details and benefits of The Pinhole Surgical Technique PST™.
* Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique®™ and PST®™ are registered trademarks of John Chao DDS MAGD, 2008