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Correct Gingival Recession with Minimally Invasive Pinhole® Surgical Technique

Do you have recessed gums? Whether you have gingival recession from gum disease, aggressive teeth brushing, or the natural aging process, it impacts your appearance and oral health. Conventionally, correcting a receded gum line involves a painful and lengthy gum grafting procedure. Now, with Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation, correcting gum recession no longer involves scalpels and sutures. Using the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST™), the Doctors at Mid-Valley Dental Care in Northridge, California, can restore your receded gingival tissues without connective tissue grafts and invasive techniques.

Would you like to see what PST can do for your smile? Please schedule a consultation with Mid-Valley Dental Care.

Why do we get gum recession?

Gingival recession occurs when the gum tissues pull away from the teeth. Receding gums expose the tooth roots, making your teeth sensitive to temperature changes and other external extremities. Furthermore, exposed tooth roots may encourage the formation of periodontal pockets that create a suitable environment for harmful bacteria to develop and grow.

The common causes of gum recession include:

  • Periodontal disease
  • Aggressive brushing
  • Teeth grinding
  • Dental misalignment
  • Genetics

Besides the adverse effects on oral health, gingival recession affects your appearance. When you open your mouth, your smile reveals more teeth, throwing your smile out of balance. Thankfully, PST can restore your healthy gums for an even gum line and improved dental health.

Animation of Pinhole® Surgical Technique

Animation of Pinhole® Surgical Technique

How does Pinhole Surgical Technique work?

Standard gum recession treatment involves harvesting a tissue graft from another part of your body (preferably the mouth palate) and stitching it to the affected area. Traditional gingival grafting leaves your smile with incisions and sutures to nurse, prolonging recovery. Furthermore, tissue grafts may have a different shade and texture from the existing gum tissue, affecting your smile’s aesthetics.

Developed by Dr. John Chao, the Pinhole® Surgical Technique uses a needle to make a small hole along the gum line. Through the pinhole created, the dentist uses special tools to loosen the gum tissue. These tools gently expand and slide the gum tissue over the exposed tooth roots. Then, instead of sutures, we use collagen to stabilize the gingival tissue.

Benefits of PST™

These are the advantages of correcting gum recession with pinhole periodontal surgery.

  • Treatment can be completed in as little as one appointment.
  • Less discomfort after treatment.
  • Near-immediate aesthetic improvement.
  • Faster recovery than traditional gum grafting – patients can resume normal activities after 24-48 hours.
  • No need to harvest graft material from other body parts.
  • No sutures or scalpels are involved.
  • Long-lasting results.

If you have receding gums and would like to hear all of your gum grafting options, please contact Mid-Valley Dental Care in Northridge, California. Our doctors can offer all available gum grafting options, from conventional techniques utilizing your own gum tissue to the use of the minimally invasive Pinhole® Surgical Technique to correct your gingival recession. Please call (818) 886-3500, and our team will be happy to discuss how PST can benefit your oral health and aesthetics.

Before and After Treatment Images

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Courtesy of Pinhole Surgical Technique

Terence Lau, DDS, FICOI, FAACP

Dr. Terence

Casey Lau, DDS

Dr. Casey

Kayla Lau, D.D.S.

Dr. Kayla


Dr. Terence Lau, DDS, FICOI, FAACP, is a distinguished dental professional with a rich history of education and training, spanning over three decades. His unwavering commitment to excellence and relentless pursuit of advanced knowledge have solidified his reputation as a leader in the field of dentistry.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Cell-Molecular Biology from California State University, Northridge (CSUN), Dr. Terence Lau attained his DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree from the Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC where he acquired an insatiable thirst for knowledge which led him to pursue advanced training in Periodontal Prosthodontics at the University of Washington School of Dentistry where he was introduced to dental implantology by it's inventor, Per Ingvar Branemark. Throughout his illustrious career, he has continuously improved his expertise through advanced continuing education, covering surgical and restorative implant dentistry, orthodontics, occlusion and full mouth reconstruction and smile design, TMJ and dento-facial orthopedics, sleep apnea, sedation dentistry, implant-assisted orthodontics, clear aligner therapy, regenerative periodontics and bone augmentation, and laser dentistry with a special focus on minimally invasive CT guided Bio-Aesthetic Implant Surgery, soft and hard tissue regeneration and cutting-edge laser dentistry.

Dr. Terence Lau's commitment to staying at dentistry's forefront is reflected in his memberships and fellowships in prestigious organizations, including the Academy of General Dentistry, International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Academy of Osseointegration, American College of Oral Implantology,

American Society of Osseointegration, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS), American Association for Functional Orthodontics, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, not to mention the American Dental Association (ADA) and the California Dental Association (CDA).

In his unwavering pursuit of advancing dental knowledge, Dr. Terence Lau founded Bio-Aesthetic Implant and Laser Solutions, dedicated to educating and mentoring fellow dentists in the areas of Dental Implantology and Laser Dentistry. He's a nationally recognized lecturer, sharing expertise on topics like Simplified Dental Implant Surgery.

His brother, Dr. Casey Lau, DDS, embarked upon his dental career in 2002 upon joining Dr. Terence Lau and team at Mid-Valley Dental Care. He received his Doctorate of Dental Science degree from the esteemed UCLA School of Dentistry after attaining his Bachelor of Science in Biology from UCLA.

At Mid-Valley Dental Care, Dr. Casey Lau practices a comprehensive dental philosophy centered around the principles of minimally invasive bioesthetic dentistry, with an emphasis on occlusion and orthodontics, cosmetic enhancements, regenerative periodontal therapies, and the cutting-edge realm of laser dentistry. His proficiency extends to advanced disciplines such as implantology, orthodontics, clear aligner therapy (notably Invisalign), and the art of oral sedation.

Constantly seeking innovation in dentistry, he holds membership within a constellation of professional affiliations. These include esteemed organizations such as the American Dental Association (ADA), California Dental Association (CDA), Academy of General Dentistry, International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Academy of Osseointegration, the International Academy of Facial Aesthetics, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS) , American Academy of Clear Aligners, and the International Association for Orthodontics.

Beyond the realms of clinical practice, Dr. Casey Lau’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to oral healthcare innovation are epitomized through his joint venture with his wife in establishing Elims Oral Care, which boasts a unique line of eco-conscious oral care products. Among these offerings, his brainchild features a range of Nano-Hydroxyapatite toothpaste and fully dissolvable whitening strips, symbolizing a testament to his enduring dedication to holistic dental well-being.

They were later joined by Dr. Kayla Lau, DDS, RDH. Dr. Kayla Lau is a dedicated dental professional whose journey in dentistry began as a dental hygienist and culminated in her earning a DDS from the prestigious University of Southern California (USC). It was during her training at USC where she discovered that her passion lies in Biomimetic Restorative Dentistry, learning from pioneers like Dr. Pascal Magne. With a relentless commitment to excellence, she specializes in a wide range of dental services, including restorative and aesthetic dentistry, and the artful use of neuromodulators (i.e. Botox) and dermal fillers for orofacial pain relief, smile enhancement, and facial aesthetics.

Beyond her clinical expertise, Dr. Kayla is deeply committed to giving back to the community. She has been known to enjoy volunteering her time and skills to support underprivileged communities by providing essential dental hygiene care, dental work, and oral cancer screenings. Her altruistic spirit reflects her dedication to improving oral health and overall well-being in underserved populations.

As an active member of several professional organizations, including the Academy of General Dentistry, San Fernando Valley Dental Society, Academy of Biomimetic Dentistry, and the International Academy of Facial Aesthetics, as well as the American Dental Association (ADA) and the California Dental Association (CDA) Dr. Kayla remains at the forefront of dental innovation.

Specializing in treatments like aesthetic bonding, veneers, crowns, inlays/onlays, Invisalign, orofacial pain relief, and facial balancing, Dr. Kayla Lau's expertise, passion for Biomimetic Dentistry, and dedication to community service make her a compassionate and highly skilled professional committed to enhancing your oral health and transforming your smile.



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