If your teeth appear to be longer than they used to be, or if you feel your mouth is suddenly more sensitive to hot or cold foods, you could be suffering from receding gums. Gum recession occurs when your gums wear away from your teeth, eventually pulling away from them altogether and exposing the root of your tooth. As these gaps widen, bacteria can build up in them and cause more severe damage that can result in the loss of teeth.

Causes of Receding Gums

In most cases, gums begin receding due to a lack of proper oral care that results in gum disease. However, the problem can also occur because of a genetic predisposal, hormone changes or brushing your teeth too aggressively. Luckily, a new treatment known as the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is making it easier to treat periodontal disease and the resulting receding gums.

About the Technique

The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is considered non-invasive because it does not use scalpels, sutures or conventional grafting methods. Instead, the procedure, which was invented by John Chao, DDS, MADG, involves our periodontist, Dr. Gregg R. Codelli, using a specialized tool to create a small pinhole in your gums. Next, Dr. Codelli will use special instruments to gently loosen your gum tissue. Once it is loose enough, the tissue is pulled into place over the area where recession is most prominent.

Recovery Information

One reason the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is becoming so popular is because of the quick recovery time. The entire procedure only takes one or two hours, and most people go back to work the very next day. For most patients, any pain, swelling or bleeding is very minimal.

If your sensitive teeth are making your life difficult, it is time to determine the problem and work to fix it. Schedule an appointment to fix your receding gums in Atlanta, GA. today by contacting our office.