Dr. Jeff T. Blackburn of South River Dentistry is one of few dentists in the Richmond region and the first dentist in the state of Virginia to perform the state-of-the-art Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST), an advanced gum recontouring treatment that can lengthen recessed gums without a tissue graft.
Gum recession, wherein the gumline gradually retreats from the base of the teeth, can be an unfortunate effect of aging, tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, and/or orthodontics. Although gum recession may not be entirely noticeable, the loss of gum tissue can present a number of problems for your oral health. The gums provide protection against bacteria buildup and decay, leaving the tooth roots vulnerable to infection and periodontal disease if a pocket of open space forms between the enamel and gums. Many dentists address gum recession by removing a piece of gum tissue from the roof of the mouth and reattaching the graft where the tooth roots are exposed; however, the cutting required by this technique can lead to an uncomfortable experience, not to mention the placement of sutures and a period of downtime. Richmond cosmetic dentist Jeff T. Blackburn offers an improved, knife-free approach to expand the gum tissue at South River Dentistry, allowing patients in the Midlothian and Richmond areas a faster, less invasive method of treatment to restore the full integrity of their gumline.
The groundbreaking Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST) was invented by Dr. John Chao to rejuvenate the gums without the soft tissue graft traditionally necessary with gum tissue lengthening. Dr. Blackburn is one of only a handful of dentists who have been personally trained by Dr. Chao in this revelatory technique, giving him unique expertise in restoring eroded gums.
Rather than replanting donor or autologous gum tissue to lengthen the gums, the PST is designed to rebuild the gumline using one small hole. Through this tiny opening, a special instrument invented by Dr. Chao is used to gently loosen, lift, and expand the gums to cover exposed tooth roots. Tiny collagen strips are then placed in the gumline to stabilize the gums and encourage tissue growth. The whole process is completed without cutting, sutures, or significant downtime, with the gums often able to heal overnight.
Dr. Blackburn comments that the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique can be a virtually pain-free method of saving patients from the consequential effects of gum recession, such as periodontitis, infection, and potential tooth loss. For patients who may have general anxiety about being at the dentist, he notes that South River Dentistry also offers sedation dentistry options to address your concerns with the utmost comfort and care.
To learn more, please visit midlothiandentist.com or facebook.com/SouthRiverDentistry.
About Jeff T. Blackburn, DDS, FAGD
Dr. Jeff Blackburn is an award-winning cosmetic dentist based in Midlothian and the founder of South River Dentistry. Dr. Blackburn has over 30 years of experience performing cosmetic, restorative, and family dentistry procedures at his practice, and he is well-known to the Richmond-area community. In addition to being honored with the Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Blackburn is also a Fellow of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. He is heavily engaged in clinical dental research and has contributed to studies published by Clinical Research Associates, one of the largest independent dental research organizations in the world. This research and advanced training led to Dr. Blackburn’s role as the first dentist in Virginia to begin performing the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique. Dr. Blackburn is available for interview upon request.
To view the original source of this press release, click here: https://www.midlothiandentist.com/practice-news/richmond-area-cosmetic-dentist-offers-innovative-knife-free-treatment-to-restore-recessed-gums/
South River Dentistry
2301 Robious Station Circle
Midlothian, VA 23113
804-409-0637
Rosemont Media
(858) 200-0044
