NORTHERN COLORADO PERIODONTICS
CHAO PINHOLE® TECHNIQUE
Restore Your Smile after Gum Recession
What Is The CHAO PINHOLE® TECHNIQUE?
Created by Dr. John Chao in 2006 as a less invasive alternative to traditional gum grafting, the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique is scalpel and suture-free and can be performed under local anesthetic with minimal discomfort. Before your procedure, we will numb the gums to ensure your comfort. Dr. Nicholas Shumaker can then use a specialized tool to create a small hole in the healthy soft tissue above the area being treated.
Using precise techniques and instruments, your dentist will gently loosen and expand the gum tissue to cover areas where soft tissue has receded. Once the gums have been modified and moved back into the proper position, the doctor can insert small collagen strips to stabilize the gums and stimulate healing. These collagen strips are designed to encourage natural collagen and elastin production, which will promote healing and reduce inflammation.
You can return to daily activity immediately after your procedure. In most cases, the small hole will close overnight, but you may experience some swelling and mild discomfort for the first day or two. For optimal comfort, we recommend maintaining a soft foods diet for the first couple of days after treatment, avoiding spicy foods, and keeping the surgical site clean. When brushing, use very gentle techniques so as not to disrupt or irritate the surgical site.
Benefits of the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique
Significant, Lasting Results
Experience the revolutionary Chao Pinhole Technique at Northern Colorado Periodontics. With our advanced training and state-of-the-art procedures, you can enjoy a healthier smile with less downtime and more comfort. This minimally invasive treatment offers immediate aesthetic results without the need for scalpels, sutures, or a secondary surgical site. Patients enjoy less bleeding, a reduced risk of infection, faster treatment, and a smoother recovery. Enhance your gum line, improve oral health, and smile confidently today!
IMMEDIATE RESULTS
Quickly enhances smile with natural, beautiful gum appearance.
LESS INVASIVE
Completely scalpel-free, no sutures, single-site procedure.
MINIMAL BLEEDING
Reduced bleeding, infection risk compared to traditional gum grafts.
QUICK RECOVERY
Quick procedure with seamless, rapid recovery for patient comfort.
CANDIDACY & REQUIREMENTS
Are You a Candidate?
The Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique is a minimally invasive treatment option for individuals experiencing gum recession. Ideal candidates typically have healthy teeth and gums aside from the recession, with no active gum disease or severe infections. This procedure is especially suited for those seeking to restore receding gum lines without the need for traditional grafting methods. Certain factors, including the extent and location of the gum recession, overall oral health, and the presence of sufficient healthy gum tissue, play a role in determining eligibility.
YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE IF:
- Patients looking for a less invasive approach to traditional gum grafting
- Patients with minor to moderate gum recession
- Patients with an uneven gum line
- Patients at a high risk for tooth decay due to recessed gums
FAQs
About Chao
Pinhole® Technique
What is the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST™)?
The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is a minimally invasive procedure that treats gum recession without the need for traditional grafting or sutures. Instead of harvesting tissue from the roof of the mouth, a tiny pinhole is made in the gums, and special instruments gently reposition the gumline. At NOCO Perio in Fort Collins and Greeley, CO, this technique helps restore healthy, natural-looking gums with less discomfort and faster recovery.
Who is a candidate for the Chao Pinhole® Technique?
You may be a candidate if you have receding gums due to gum disease, aggressive brushing, or aging. Patients in Fort Collins and Greeley who want to correct sensitive or “long-looking” teeth without invasive gum grafting often benefit from PST™. Our periodontal team will evaluate your gum health to determine if this procedure is right for you.
How much does the Chao Pinhole® Technique cost?
The cost of PST™ depends on how many teeth are treated and the severity of gum recession. At NOCO Perio, we provide transparent treatment estimates after your consultation in Fort Collins or Greeley. Some insurance plans may cover a portion of gum recession treatment, and we also offer financing options through CareCredit and Cherry®.
What is recovery like after the Pinhole® Surgical Technique?
Recovery is typically much faster and more comfortable compared to traditional gum grafting. Since there are no incisions or sutures, most patients in Fort Collins and Greeley experience only minor swelling or tenderness for a few days. Normal activities can usually be resumed quickly, and results are visible almost immediately.
What are the benefits of the Chao Pinhole® Technique compared to gum grafting?
Unlike traditional gum grafting, which requires tissue harvesting and sutures, PST™ is scalpel-free, suture-free, and minimally invasive. Patients in Fort Collins and Greeley choose the Chao Pinhole® Technique for its reduced discomfort, faster healing, and natural-looking results. It also allows treatment of multiple teeth in a single visit.