- Implants 01
- All-on-X 02
- LANAP 03
- Pinhole 04
Gum recession, corrected without a graft.
The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique repositions your own gum tissue through a single pinhole-sized entry point — no incisions, no sutures, and no tissue taken from the roof of your mouth.
What gum recession is, and why it matters.
Gum recession is the gradual loss of gum tissue along the gumline, exposing the root structure beneath. It develops from periodontal disease, the natural aging process, or years of abrasive brushing — and it rarely reverses on its own.
Once the root is exposed, decay and sensitivity can take hold along and beneath the gumline. Treating recession early protects both the appearance of your smile and the long-term health of the tooth.
Traditional treatment involves grafting donor tissue — often taken from the roof of the patient's mouth — and suturing it into place. The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST) was developed by Dr. John Chao as a scalpel-free, suture-free alternative that achieves comparable results with a far easier recovery. Dr. Pellegrini was trained directly under Dr. Chao in the tools and techniques of the procedure.
Real gum recession, before and after PST.
Clinical photography from Dr. Pellegrini's own practice, showing gumline coverage restored without grafting.
How the procedure is performed.
- 01Local anesthesiaThe treatment area is numbed; no sedation or general anesthesia is required.
- 02A single pinhole entry pointA needle creates a small opening in the existing gum tissue above the recession — no scalpel, no incision line.
- 03Loosening and repositioningSpecialized instruments are passed through the pinhole to gently loosen and slide the gum tissue down over the exposed root.
- 04Stabilizing the new positionSmall collagen strips are placed through the same entry point to hold the repositioned tissue in place while it heals.
- 05No sutures neededBecause there's no incision, there's nothing to stitch closed — the pinhole itself closes naturally within days.
Why patients choose PST over traditional grafting.
- Recovery
Most patients return to normal routines within 24–48 hours, versus a week or more for grafting.
- Comfort
No sutures and no palate donor site means significantly less post-operative discomfort.
- No donor tissue
The existing gum tissue is repositioned, so nothing is removed from the roof of the mouth.
- Multiple teeth
Several teeth across the same area can often be treated through a single entry point in one visit.
- Appearance
Results are typically visible immediately, with the gumline continuing to mature over the following weeks.
Is PST the right approach for your case?
PST is well suited to patients with gum recession caused by periodontal disease, aging, or aggressive brushing, particularly when several teeth in the same area are affected. A clinical exam determines the extent of recession and whether tissue quality and thickness support the technique.
Dr. Pellegrini trained directly with Dr. John Chao, the technique's originator, and evaluates each case individually before recommending PST over traditional grafting or other periodontal approaches.