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11190 Haynes Bridge Rd, Alpharetta
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pinhole surgical technique specialist in Alpharetta, GA Dr. Bradley R. Hepler Perform
the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique

Pinhole Gum Surgery in Alpharetta, GA

Amazing advances are being made in dentistry, contributing to less invasive treatment for more comfortable experiences and better outcomes. The pinhole surgical technique is a terrific example, and it is available at Atlanta Center for Dental Health in Alpharetta, GA.

Pinhole surgical technique before and after

Maybe you have heard the term “long in the tooth,” referring to someone in the later stages of life. Teeth do not actually grow longer as we age. However, when the gum tissue pulls back, it exposes root surfaces. That causes teeth to look longer and discolored (and become sensitive). It also makes the face look older.

Gum recession may be the result of:

  • Genetics – Skimpy gum tissue can be a family trait.
  • Age – Plump, youthful gums are packed with collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Over time, our bodies produce less of these elements, causing gum tissue to shrink.
  • Bruxing – Excessive clenching or grinding of teeth (usually during sleep) aggravates nerves in roots. The chronic irritation may trigger gum recession.
  • Aggressive hygiene – Rough flossing or brushing with a stiff toothbrush and too much pressure irritates gums.
  • Gum disease – This serious bacterial attack first inflames gums, then causes them to shrink.
  • Tobacco – People who smoke or use smokeless tobacco are more likely to have gum recession.
  • Diabetes – Receding gums are a common symptom.

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The pinhole technique repositions gum tissue, without invasive surgery. There is no cutting or sutures and only local anesthetic is needed. Tiny access points heal virtually overnight. Improvement in the appearance of the smile is immediate. Plus, the technique stimulates internal collagen production for continued improvement.

Dr. Bradley R. Hepler, founder of Atlanta Center for Dental Health, has decades of experience.

Dr. Bradley R. Hepler, founder of Atlanta Center for Dental Health, has decades of experience

Having obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, Dr. Hepler followed Advanced Education in General Dentistry. He served the US Navy as a dental officer before going private in Alpharetta in 2003. He is a member of professional bodies like the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, and Georgia Dental Association and a founding member of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health. A certified FastBraces provider, Dr. Hepler stresses on continued education for himself and his staff.

Conventional Gum Grafting vs Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique

Your questions about the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique for minimally-invasive grafting, answered!

We may be the "Atlanta Center for Dental Health," but our team is focused on “whole body health.” As such, advanced treatments like the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique (PST) are a great complement to restore unhealthy gums, functional chewing, and the confidence that comes with a stunning smile. Here, Dr. Bradley Hepler and the friendly staff in Alpharetta GA answer some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about this sophisticated, no-risk and high-reward technique for gum health and total wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is gum recession?

Gum recession refers to the loss of gum tissue along the gumline. This can occur as a result of periodontal disease (gingivitis, periodontitis, advanced periodontitis), the natural aging process, or abrasive habits when it comes to brushing the teeth.

Why should gum recession be taken seriously?

When gum recession occurs, the root structure of the tooth becomes exposed. This means that tooth decay and other problems can affect the teeth along the gumline and beneath it. Since healthy gums are essential for a healthy mouth, getting gum recession treated is important for lasting dental wellness.

What is Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique?

The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is a minimally invasive option for treating gum recession. Unlike traditional grafting techniques, PST is scalpel and suture free. All of the tools and techniques used to perform the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique were created by Dr. John Chao.

How does Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique differ from traditional gum grafting?

Traditional gum recession treatments involve the use of donor tissue or soft tissue grafts in order to rebuild the gumline. This soft tissue would be sutured in place and would join with existing gum tissue as it healed. While this traditional grafting treatment is effective, comparable results with better patient experience can be achieved through the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique.

How is Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique performed?

During the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique, a needle is used to make a small hole in the patient's existing gum tissue. Through this pinhole, special instruments are used to gently loosen the gum tissue. These tools help expand and slide the gumline to cover the exposed root structure. There are no grafts, no sutures, and no incisions needed with the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique. It simply involves the adjustment of the existing tissue.

What are the benefits of Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique?

The benefits of the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique are many:
  • Less Discomfort for the patient after treatment.
  • Faster recovery for the patient than traditional grafting.
  • No need for uncomfortable sutures.
  • No need for scalpels or invasive surgical tools.
  • No need to take donor tissue from the patients palate.
  • Excellent, natural-looking, long-lasting results.

Why would I need treatment like the Chao® Pinhole Surgical Technique?

If you have a toothy smile, sensitivity at the gumline, and new gaps or spacing issues, you may be a candidate for this gentle treatment. These signs of gum recession arise when tissue is lost at the point where your teeth meet your gums. This condition can result from gum disease or habits that abrade the teeth, such as aggressive brushing. Sometimes, it’s just a “natural” part of the aging process (ever heard of the phrase “long in the tooth” to describe older people or animals?) As gums pull away from the teeth, your smile can appear dramatically different, and you may be more prone to oral health challenges.

If allowed to progress without treatment, gum recession can lead to exposed roots. Root exposure promotes tooth decay and other conditions that can damage the teeth along the gumline (and underneath it). Gums provide solid support to, and protect, your teeth. S0, effective treatment is a must for a healthy smile.

How does PST effectively treat gum tissue?

If you have a toothy smile, sensitivity at the gumline, and new gaps or spacing issues, Traditional grafting techniques to treat gum recession use scalpels and sutures. Furthermore, donor or soft tissue grafts are required to build up the gumline. These grafts are then sutured in place and, as healing occurs, they join existing soft tissues. While conventional treatment is effective, the tools and techniques created by Dr. John Chao achieve comparable results with a much better patient experience and higher level of satisfaction.

As a minimally-invasive alternative to traditional periodontal surgery, PST starts with Dr. Hepler gently creating a small pin-sized hole precisely in the patient’s gum tissue. The gum tissue is then accessed and loosened through the pinhole. With these tools, your dentist deftly repositions and slides the tissue over the exposed root structure. Existing tissue is simply adjusted – no grafts, sutures, or incisions required!

What makes PST “better”?

Our patients love the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique for many different reasons, including:
  • It’s well-tolerated – There is less discomfort during and after treatment than with other, more invasive and conventional techniques.
  • Recover, fast – PST promotes healthy, fast healing especially when compared to traditional grafting.
  • For fear-free dentistry – PST takes on many of the sources of dental fear and anxiety that keep patients away from the dentist’s office. There are no sutures, scalpels, invasive surgical instruments, or donor tissue grafted from the patient’s palate.
Moreover, the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique available at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health produces excellent, natural-looking, and long-lasting results. Ask us about this easy, fast way to get back your healthy, dazzling smile. Call 866-687-1992 to schedule an appointment at our Alpharetta office.

See What We Have Achieved In The Past

Patients Before And After Images

Dr. Bradley Hepler Performs Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique in Alpharetta, Georgia Dr. Bradley Hepler Performs Chao Pinhole® Surgical before and after results Chao Pinhole® Surgical before and after results Dr. Bradley Hepler Performs Chao Pinhole® Surgical best results Best Chao Pinhole® Surgical before and after results in Alpharetta, Georgia in Alpharetta, Georgia Dr. Bradley Hepler Performs Chao Pinhole® Surgical before and after results Dr. Bradley Hepler Performs Chao Pinhole® Surgical before and after results in Alpharetta Chao Pinhole® Surgical before and after results in Alpharetta real patient done Chao Pinhole® Surgical before and after results in Alpharetta Chao Pinhole® Surgical before and after results in Alpharetta

The pinhole surgical technique: When Alpharetta, GA dentist recommends it

It is important to recognize that, while periodontal disease may be the underlying cause of gum recession, the pinhole surgical technique is not a remedy for gum disease. Rather, it is a receding gums treatment, intended to improve smile aesthetics. In keeping with the highest ethical standards of practice, Dr. Bradley Hepler makes cosmetic dentistry recommendations only after oral disease and functional issues have been properly addressed.

In the past, the only solution to receding gums was an invasive grafting procedure that left multiple surgical sites and required an extensive healing period. The pinhole technique is a minimally invasive alternative with little risk of secondary infection. Pinhole surgical technique recovery is typically uneventful. There is usually no discomfort the next day, and you may eat normally.

Dr. Hepler numbs the treatment area to ensure your comfort. Then, a needle is used to create a tiny opening. Through this pinhole, he uses special instruments to manipulate gum tissue back into proper position from the inside.
Instead of the sutures used in traditional gum grafting, with this technique, small strips of collagen are inserted to stabilize gum tissue. Collagen strips also help the body generate more of its own collagen naturally.

With this efficient method, a single tooth may be treated or many, in one appointment.

Pinhole surgical technique cost is comparable to traditional soft tissue grafting surgery, and with good oral hygiene, results are long-lasting. A recent study showed a success rate of nearly 97 percent in overall root coverage at six-months after treatment with the pinhole technique.

If you are searching for “pinhole surgical technique near me” in the Alpharetta, GA area, you do not need to look any further. Call [phone] to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hepler at Atlanta Center for Dental Health.

In the News

The Doctors Los Angeles

Chao Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation, the revolutionary treatment for receding gums makes national news on the award winning "The Doctors" show first broadcast on January 21, 2014. In this segment, titled the "Lunchtime Gum Lift"™Los Angeles dentist and inventor Dr. John Chao moved receded gums over ten teeth back to normal position in under an hour, with no cutting and no stitches.

Painless Treatment For Receding Gums on ABC 7 L.A.

The Pinhole Surgical Technique™ for treating gum recession featured on KABC Channel 7 News. The new treatment for receding gums requires no cutting, scalpels or sutures. The story shows how the Pinhole Surgical Technique works with a patient treatment and animation of the procedure.

Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation Featured On NBC 4 News Los Angeles

Dr. John Chao, inventor of the minimally invasive treatment for receding gums shows NBC's Dr. Bruce Hensel how a woman's extensive gum recession is reversed wihout cutting, stitches or gum grafting. Dr. Chao's patient Lorraine says that Chao Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation™ is "the answer to her prayers" as Dr. Chao rejuvenates multiple gum recessions in an hour, with instant results.

A Painless Treatment for Gum Recession

Dr. John Chao, inventor of the Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation™ and Dr. Jessica Goldenberg, show us how the new treatment for gum recession is painless compared to a gum graft.

Receding Gums Fix With No Grafting Pinhole Treatment.

An animation shows how quickly Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation™ is done, which eliminates the cutting, stitches and painful recovery time of conventional gum grafting. Receding gums are corrected in an hour through one or more tiny pinholes made in the gums which quickly disappear. Patients see immediate results and have little to no downtime.

Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation For Receding Gums On We Are Austin

Austin, TX - Dr. John Chao, inventor of Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation™ and Austin dentist Dr. Corinne Scalzitti appear on KEYE TV's "We Are Austin" show to share how the breakthrough treatment corrects receding gums with no cutting, no stitches and little or no downtime.

Hear What Our Patients Have To Say

Hundreds Of Happy Smiling Patients


5 Stars


5 Stars

Wonderful dentist and staff!! Just had my first visit here and I was very impressed. Dr. Hepler is so knowledgable, he listened to my concerns and answered all my questions. Jordan was my hygienist and was easy to talk to, kind, and great at her job. The office is also beautiful! I felt right at home and not that I was in a dentist office. I will be back in six months :)


5 Stars


5 Stars

The dental experience is the best in my life. I grew up afraid of dentists who seemed callous and often indifferent. Dr. Hepler and his staff are kind, caring and professionally knowledgeable. Beautiful office environment❤️


5 Stars


5 Stars

Dr. Hepler and lead hygienist Brooke invest their time in getting to know you and to understand all of your dental needs! They make a great team, provide expert dental care, and you'll always leave their office with a smile on your face. Highly recommend you give them a try!


5 Stars


5 Stars

Dr. Hepler and the entire staff at The Atlanta Center For Dental Health are first class. Starting with Lauren at the front desk to Rachel, Dr. Hepler’s excellent Dental Assistant, to Dr. Hepler himself, I received excellent care and compassion for a very sore root canal nerve. This fine practice really went the extra mile to fix me up!!!

Dr. Hepler is now certified as a
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Atlanta Center for Dental Health Located at 11190 Haynes Bridge Rd. • Alpharetta, GA 30022 • New Patients: (770) 992-2236 • Existing Patients: (770) 992-2236.
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