Erik P Svans DDS

Certified Pinhole Surgical Technique Provider

 

With the innovative Pinhole Surgical Technique, Dr. Svans is able to help many people achieve healthy and beautiful smiles immediately with minimal discomfort or pain.   Pinhole Surgical Technique uses 0.1 inch “pinhole” opening to reposition a patient’s receeded gumline to its healthy, natural location. This revolutionary, new procedure eliminates the problem of receding gums, a condition that affects 50% of the population. Replacing traditional gum grafting, this revolutionary patented technique moves the gum tissue, without scalpel, incision, or stitches and is virtually pain-free. Plus, there is no down time.  Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation was invented and patented by John C. Chao DDS,  a General Dentist in Alhambra, CA.  Dr Svans was trained by Dr Chao and was one of the first Dentists in Arizona to provide PST.

 

Up until now, treatment has consisted of cutting donor gum tissue from the roof of your mouth, which can be very painful, and then stitching this tissue to the receeded site, which has also been "flapped" in order to receive the graft. Recovery for the traditional surgery technique requires two to three weeks with prescription pain medicine. The results are hit or miss. Acceptance of the grafted material is always a concern as well, especially when the amount of recession requires tissues taken from another source (i.e. cadaver tissue can be used when you suffer from generalized recession because the amount of donor tissue from your palate is the limiting factor).

 

In comparison, Pinhole Surgical Technique does not require anything more than repositioning your existing gum tissue over the exposed root surface.  Dr Svans thoroughly reviews the etiology behind the initial cause of your recession, so the corrective measures will not recur.  

 

Not only is Pinhole Surgical Technique a "kinder" procedure, the results are more esthetic, more predictable, and will last just as long as any other type of gingival correction procedures.

 

Dr. Svans is one of the first group of doctors who are licensed and have the most experience in performing this groundbreaking treatment for gum recession in the world. Don’t continue to suffer with the discomfort of sensitive teeth, being "long in the tooth," or be afraid of smile!  Prospective patients are invited to call our office at (480) 219-8760 for important information and to arrange a consultation appointment.

 

Dr Svans is a 1997 graduate of the University of the Pacific Dental School in San Francisco (DDS) and a 1994 graduate of the University of California, Davis (B.S. Psychology). Dr. Svans comes from a family of dentists, following his father and sister who practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. Specifically with Pinhole Surgical Technique, Dr. Svans was one of the first dentists in Arizona trained to provide PST.  He focuses his practice on providing the latest techniques in Dentistry in Cosmetic Dentistry, and PST allows him to provide a service that very few can offer:  bringing the receded gumline into position versus settling with a "long in the tooth" appearance for his patients.  In his free time Dr. Svans enjoys spending time with his wife, Jenny and their two kids, Sophia and Andrew and competes in Endurance Racing.

 

What is the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST™)

The Pinhole Surgical Technique is a minimally invasive option for treating gum recession. Unlike traditional grafting techniques, PST™ is incision and suture free.  "Pinhole" explains the entry point Dr Svans will make in your mucosal tissue.  Specialized instruments are passed through this pinhole to both release and reposition the gum tissue to cover the exposed root surface.  After repositioning, Dr Svans passes collagen through the Pinhole into specific areas to anchor and improve healing. At this point the procedure is complete.  Maturation of the repositioned gum tissue occurs over the next few weeks, but patients can return to normal eating that night.  Very mild pain (1-2 on a scale of 10) is the common response to the amount of pain experienced, and inflammation is our typical post-operative symptom that requires 1-3 days of healing to resolve.

 

How does the Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST™) 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 Pinhole Surgical Technique. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The benefits of the Pinhole Surgical Technique:

 

• Less discomfort for the patients 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 patient's palate

• Excellent, natural-looking, long-lasting results