The Gentle Alternative To Gum Grafting

Your gums serve a very important role in the mouth. Not only do your gums frame your smile, but they help hold your teeth in place and protect the sensitive tooth roots from damage. But gum recession is a common problem many patients experience. Gum recession is when the soft gum tissue begins to pull away from the teeth due to bacteria and plaque buildup around the teeth and gums.

When the gums pull away, they no longer protect your teeth and it often looks unattractive within the smile. The traditional solution to gum recession is with gum grafting techniques, but many patients find this to be a painful solution with a long healing time.

If you are seeking a gentle, solution to gum recession and want to experience almost immediate results, consider asking your dentist about the Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST). This approach can help improve gum recession without scalpels, sutures, or excessive bleeding.

How the Pinhole Surgical Technique Works

Differing itself from traditional gum grafting, PST can offer similar results without the need for cutting, grafting, sutures, or bleeding. The PST process uses ultra-fine tools to gently reposition the existing gum tissue rather than suturing new tissue over top. Before treatment begins, the affected teeth will need to be cleansed of bacteria, debris, and plaque, which is likely what caused the gum recession in the first place.

During treatment, your doctor will make tiny pinholes within the gum tissue just above affected teeth. Using small instruments, the gum tissue itself will be gently positioned down back over the teeth to cover tooth roots and improve the smile aesthetics. Finally, collagen strips are placed within the gums to help hold the tissue in place.

Benefits of the Pinhole Surgical Technique

• Quick treatment time
• No scalpels or sutures
• Minimal sedation needed
• Immediate results
• Complete an entire mouth in one sitting

Why Gum Recession Happens—and Why Early Biologic Intervention Matters

Gum recession is almost always a symptom of deeper oral-systemic inflammation. Factors like bacterial imbalance, bruxism, nitric oxide dysfunction, restrictive frenums, and even airway issues can contribute to tissue breakdown. At Tetrahealth, we use advanced diagnostics—including OralDNA® salivary testing, microscopy, and CBCT imaging—to understand the underlying causes of recession before recommending treatment.



This whole-body perspective allows Dr. Alex and Dr. Michele to not just reposition gum tissue, but to address contributing inflammation patterns, helping patients experience long-term stability after their Pinhole Surgical Technique procedure.

The Right Option for Your Health

Choosing PST over traditional gum grafting is often the case for those seeking a gentle and minimally invasive solution to their gum recession concerns. However, you must ask your doctor if they are certified to offer this treatment.

To offer PST, doctors must complete an extensive certification course to show they have mastered the treatment. This option is excellent for those seeking a timely solution to gum recession or who want to get results without the discomfort of traditional gum grafting.

Biologic Enhancements That Improve PST Results

As a biologic periodontal practice, Tetrahealth integrates regenerative and minimally invasive technologies to elevate the results of the Pinhole Surgical Technique. Supportive adjuncts often include:

• Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) to accelerate healing, promote collagen formation, and strengthen tissue attachment
• Ozone therapy to eliminate harmful bacteria and reduce inflammation without antibiotics
• Biocompatibility-tested collagen to stabilize the repositioned tissue
• Low-level laser therapy to stimulate microcirculation and enhance soft-tissue regeneration

These biologic therapies help create a healthier, more stable environment for repositioned gum tissue—supporting both immediate cosmetic improvements and long-term periodontal wellness.

Make an Appointment Today

If you’re seeking a solution to gum recession, reach out to your local dentist, Dr. Alexander Volchonok, in our office in New York, NY and set up a consultation.