WSVN — More than half of Americans have some sort of gum disease, and one of the most common is receding gums. It used to mean an expensive and painful surgery, but a new procedure will have you flapping your gums after your lunch break. 7’s Danielle Knox has more.

Fernanda Rehem was brushing her teeth when she realized something was wrong.

Fernanda Rehem: "I noticed my gums were receding. I could see the root was starting to show."

Receding gums used to be associated with aging, but not anymore.

Dr. Mark McCawley: "Fifty percent of the people 18 to 65 have this."

Dr. Mark McCawley says younger people are developing gum problems because of things like brushing too hard and braces.

Dr. Mark McCawley: "It tends to get worse. It’s not one of those things that will resolve on its own."

Typically, doctors fix receding gums by grafting your own or donor tissue over the bad area.   

Dr. Mark McCawley: "It causes a lot of bleeding and a lot of post-op discomfort."

Recovery took weeks, but now there’s a new treatment called pinhole gum rejuvenation, commonly referred to as the ‘lunchtime gum lift.’

Dr. John Chao: "We have trained almost 1,000 doctors from around the world, as far as Dubai, Cambodia, Afghanistan, mainly, though, from the U.S. and Canada."

Dr. John Chao developed the procedure and made a YouTube video to show how it works. A small hole is made in the gum above the affected tooth with a special dental instrument. The tissue is loosened and gently pulled down. Collagen strips are then inserted to stabilize the gums. No stitches are needed, and the gum heals quickly.

Dentists performing the technique say it’s much better than the surgical treatment.

Dr. Mark McCawley: "We can treat the whole mouth in a single visit."

Fernanda’s procedure was over in less than an hour.

Fernanda Rehem: "It looks good. Yes, I’m happy. The gum looks where it should be."

And that means she’ll be smiling for years to come.

The procedure is usually covered by insurance, but it doesn’t last forever. Gums are likely to recede again, but the collagen inserted into the gums is supposed to slow that down.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lunchtime Gum Lift
www.pinholesurgicaltechnique.com

Dr. Mark McCawley
www.mccawley.com

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