Dr. David Pumphrey is a certified clinician in the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST), which was invented and patented by John Chao, DDS, MADG.
What is the Pinhole Surgical Technique?
The Pinhole Surgical Technique is a scalpel-free, suture-free procedure for treating gum recession. Dr. Pumphrey uses specially designed instruments to loosen the gum tissue and guide it over the exposed part of the tooth. Since there is no incision and no suturing, patients can expect minimal post-operative symptoms like pain, swelling, and bleeding. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by the instant cosmetic improvement.
The Pros and Cons of the Pinhole Surgical Technique
The Pinhole Surgical Technique can be less invasive than traditional gum surgery. Without incisions and sutures, the healing period is usually shorter. In addition, the technique does not require taking donor tissue from the palate, and it provides an excellent, natural-looking, long-lasting result. But the technique is quite new, so there isn’t a long-term history to study. Consequently, the type of research that has confirmed the efficacy of older techniques hasn’t been conducted yet in the case of the PST. In addition, there has to be enough interproximal tissue, or gum, present. And the technique may cause some swelling or bruising.
The Pinhole Surgical Technique in the Media
The unique features of the PST have been featured heavily in the media, including on news programs on national TV. This scalpel-free technique of treating a problem that is found in half the U.S. population has been of high interest. Dr. Chao was a guest on the nationally syndicated “The Doctors Show,” on the “Dr. Steve Show,” and has also appeared on ABC-TV and NBC-TV.
Would you like to find out if the pinhole surgical technique may work for you? Just call our office or click here to complete our online request an appointment form. Let us know if you’d like to schedule a comprehensive exam.
