The pinhole surgical technique for gum disease: Minimally invasive treatment with big benefits
At Advanced Dental, the talent of our experienced dentist, Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula, is further complemented by our board-certified periodontist, Dr. Joseph C. Yang. As a periodontic specialist, Dr. Yang has acquired advanced training and experience in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the supportive oral tissues, including gum disease. State-of-the-art technologies and the use of the latest techniques also enhance specialist expertise. This commitment to the “latest” that dentistry has to offer makes a real difference in the patient experience and treatment outcomes.
Notably, our practice in Aliso Viejo, California, is “home” to the pinhole technique for gum disease.
Little trauma, big benefits
Healthy gums are generally firm pinkish red (not too red) and don’t hurt or bleed when you touch, brush, or floss them. However, you may notice changes as the gums become inflamed or worse. These include swollen, tender gums and “pink in the sink.” If the disease is allowed to progress without treatment, the gums and teeth pull away from each other. Pockets or spaces form between them. You may notice that your smile looks overly “toothy” as more of the teeth structure is exposed.
Advanced disease or periodontitis is associated with a breakdown of the supportive attachments to the teeth and is a leading cause of tooth loss. In the past, options to care for advanced disease were limited to invasive or aggressive cutting techniques. These surgical options are also associated with more pain and a longer, more demanding healing and recovery process than the comparatively gentle pinhole technique used by Advanced Dental.
The technique involves making a tiny, pinhole-sized opening in the patient’s gums. Through this opening, we are able to adjust the tissue. We can then reposition the tissue. So, it covers up the recessed or deteriorated areas of the gum line. This minimally invasive approach is:
- Gentle
- Appropriate for patients with dental anxiety – does not involve scalpels or other “triggers”
- Fast, each tooth can be treated in mere minutes
- Supports a speedy recovery, as there is nothing to recover from!
- Encourages natural healing and tissue regeneration
- Avoids grafting or two surgical sites
- No sutures are needed to close the site – in fact, the following day, most can barely tell you’ve had any gum treatment!
The best time for Advanced Dental to care for your mouth is before you notice any concerning changes. So, call us today at (949) 289-9993 to schedule an appointment in Aliso Viejo, CA.
Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula
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Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula has been practicing dentistry for over 20 years. After advanced training at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, she relocated to Orange County, CA in 2015. Dr. Chitra is a member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association. Committed to continuous education, she provides top-quality dental services using the latest advancements.
Dr. Joseph C. Yang
Dr. Joseph C. Yang has over 30 years of dental practice experience. He earned his B.S. from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and his D.D.S. from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He then had a distinguished 30-year career as a U.S. Naval Dental Officer, including a residency in Periodontology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Yang is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Periodontology. As a board-certified Periodontist, he has performed thousands of successful periodontal and implant procedures. He is also a renowned lecturer and trainer in the latest implant and periodontal techniques worldwide.