Gum disease is a bacterial infection that affects some 80 percent of the adult population in the United States. In the beginning, signs of gum disease include red and swollen gums that may bleed when you brush your teeth. As the disease advances, there are more serious consequences. One of the more common ones is gum recession, a condition that can not only be unsightly but may also cause extreme tooth sensitivity because of exposed tooth roots. Dr. Solich, the dentist Colorado Springs, CO, trusts, treats gum recession with the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST™).
For many, many years, gum recession was treated with gum graft surgery. During this procedure, donor tissue is taken from another portion of soft tissue—usually the patient’s own palate. Then, the affected gums are lifted and the donor tissue is placed underneath and the gums are sutured back into position. Unfortunately, gum graft surgery is necessarily invasive, not very comfortable and required a fair amount of time to recover.
Gum Disease Treatment Colorado Springs Residents can Rely On
The Pinhole Surgical Technique, on the other hand, is far less invasive and consequently is usually much more tolerable by patients of all ages. PST was invented and patented by John C. Chao, DDS. Dr. Solich is a Certified Pinhole Dentist.
Lucky for patients, PST is scalpel and suture free. During the Pinhole Surgical Technique, Dr. Solich uses a small needle to make a hole in a patient’s gum tissue. Through this hole, he inserts special instruments that loosen gum tissue. These instruments serve to expand and gently slide the gums to move the gum line over exposed root surfaces. Although a local anesthetic is necessary, there are no tissue grafts, no stitches and no incisions. Dr. Solich simply moves existing gum tissue. Bleeding and swelling are kept to a minimum, and most of Dr. Solich’s patients are able to alleviate any discomfort with over-the-counter pain medication.
Shortly after PST, patients report natural and long-lasting results. They are able to enjoy all of their favorite foods without any worries about tooth sensitivity. Moreover, their oral health is restored and their smiles are aesthetically enhanced. And many people find themselves smiling more often, too!
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If you’ve been told that you need gum graft surgery to treat your receding gums, then schedule a consultation with Dr. Solich in Colorado Springs, CO. We also serve the surrounding areas of Black Forest, Falcon, Monument, Cimarron Hills, and Manitou Springs.