Chao Pinhole® Technique
Available at DC Pearls- Access
- A single pinhole opening
- Sutures
- None required
- Donor tissue
- None taken from the palate
- Teeth per visit
- Multiple teeth, up to a full arch
- Results visible
- Same day
- Typical recovery
- 24 to 48 hours
Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique · Washington DC
Treat gum recession without a scalpel, without stitches, without taking tissue from the roof of your mouth.
If you have been told you need a gum graft, there is another way to correct receding gums. DC Pearls is the only practice in Washington DC offering the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique, performed by Dr. Kourosh Ardekani, who trained directly with the technique's inventor, Dr. John Chao.
Shown actual sizeThe entire procedure is performed through a single opening roughly the size of a pen tip.
4.9 stars · 800+ reviews
Seven providers on site
Serving DC since 2013
Saturday appointments
Why it matters
Gum recession is more serious than it looks.
When your gums recede, the roots of your teeth become exposed. Exposed roots are more sensitive to hot and cold, more vulnerable to decay, and more prone to damage from brushing. Left untreated, recession leads to bone loss and eventually tooth loss.
The traditional fix is a connective tissue graft. It requires cutting tissue from the roof of your mouth and suturing it over the recession. It works, but it involves significant discomfort and weeks of recovery.
Side by side
Two ways to correct the same problem.
Traditional gum grafting
Conventional approach- Access
- Surgical incisions
- Sutures
- Required, removed at follow up
- Donor tissue
- Harvested from the roof of the mouth
- Teeth per visit
- Typically one or two
- Results visible
- Gradual, as healing progresses
- Typical recovery
- Several weeks
What happens in the chair
The entire procedure, through one opening.
01
Local anesthetic
The treatment area is numbed. Most patients feel nothing beyond mild pressure. Oral sedation is available if you want it.
02
Pinhole entry
Dr. Ardekani makes a single small opening in the gum tissue near the recession. No incisions, and no donor tissue taken from your palate.
03
Gum repositioning
Specialized instruments pass through the pinhole to gently loosen and reposition the gum tissue over the exposed root. Collagen strips hold the gums in place.
04
Same day results
Multiple teeth can be treated in one visit. You leave with gums covering the previously exposed roots. No sutures to remove. Recovery is typically 24 to 48 hours.
Patient results
Before and after.
The same patient, 14 years after treatment. The most common question patients ask is whether the results last. This is what long term looks like when the underlying cause of the recession is addressed alongside the procedure.
Your provider
Dr. Kourosh Ardekani, D.D.S.
Dr. Ardekani founded DC Pearls Dental Boutique in 2017 and has cared for patients across the Washington DC region since 2013. He trained directly with Dr. John Chao, the inventor of the Pinhole® Surgical Technique, and is a certified provider.
- EducationDoctor of Dental Surgery, New York University College of Dentistry
- CertificationsEndodontics, cosmetic dentistry, certified Invisalign® provider
- FellowshipImplant dentistry, California Implant Institute
- RecognitionTop Invisalign Doctor in Washington DC, 2019. Top 3 Cosmetic Dentists in Washington DC, 2018 and 2019
CNNFox NewsMSNBCBravo
Not a single-procedure practice
Evaluated by a team that performs both approaches.
DC Pearls has seven providers under one roof at 2440 M Street NW, including Dr. Shiworke Woldesemait, who is board certified in VA, MD, and DC and practices oral surgery and periodontics, and Dr. Sohaib Fazeel Khan, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who completed his residency at Howard University Hospital including a chief residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
That matters when you are weighing your options. You are not being evaluated by a practice that only offers one answer.
If you already have a treatment plan
Bring your gum graft quote for a second opinion.
You do not have to decide anything at your evaluation. Bring the treatment plan you were given, and Dr. Ardekani will review whether the Pinhole® Technique is an option for your case, how many teeth are involved, and what your alternatives are.
Request a free second opinionInsurance and payment
We verify your benefits before you commit.
DC Pearls accepts most major PPO dental plans and files claims on your behalf. Your benefits are verified before treatment so you know your out of pocket cost in advance.
Delta Dental
MetLife
Cigna
Aetna
Guardian
United Healthcare
BlueCross BlueShield
Humana
For any out of pocket portion, financing is available through CareCredit, which offers 0% interest promotional plans, as well as Cherry and Sunbit, which approves without a hard credit check.
Questions patients ask
Before you book.
Does the Pinhole® Technique hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and most patients report minimal discomfort. Because there is no second surgical site on the palate, which is where most traditional graft patients experience their worst pain, recovery is dramatically easier. Most patients return to normal activity the next day.
How many teeth can be treated at once?
Multiple teeth, and in many cases an entire arch, can be treated in a single appointment. Traditional grafting is typically limited to one or two teeth per session, which means severe recession can require several surgeries over many months.
Are the results permanent?
Long term studies show results comparable to traditional grafting, and gums tend to stay in their corrected position. To prevent recession from returning, the underlying cause has to be addressed, usually aggressive brushing technique, bite issues, or untreated gum disease. Dr. Ardekani will review this with you during your evaluation.
Does insurance cover it?
Many dental insurance plans cover periodontal procedures including gum grafting. Coverage for the Pinhole® Technique varies by carrier. Our team will verify your benefits before treatment and provide a full cost breakdown. Financing is available for any out of pocket portion.
Is this surgery?
Yes. The Pinhole® Surgical Technique is a surgical procedure, performed under local anesthesia with sedation available. What makes it different is the method of access. There are no scalpel incisions, no sutures, and no tissue taken from the roof of your mouth.
Why is DC Pearls the only provider in DC?
The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique requires specialized training and certification directly through Dr. John Chao's institute. Dr. Ardekani completed this certification and is one of a limited number of providers offering it in the Washington DC area.
Request your evaluation
Tell us where you are in the process.
Your evaluation with Dr. Ardekani covers whether the Pinhole® Technique is an option for your case, how many teeth are involved, and what your alternatives are. If you already have a gum graft treatment plan, bring it with you.
Your initial consultation fee is waived, a $100 value.There is no charge for the evaluation itself and no obligation to proceed with treatment.
Prefer to talk first? Call (202) 335-2706 · Saturday appointments available
*X-rays, CBCT scans, laboratory testing, and other diagnostic services, if clinically indicated, are separate and are not included. Any recommended diagnostic services and their fees will be explained before they are performed.
Visit us
West End, Washington DC.
- Address
- 2440 M Street NW, Suite 709
Washington, DC 20037 - Getting here
- Seventh floor, steps from Foggy Bottom Metro. Parking in the building garage.
- Phone
- (202) 335-2706
- Hours
-
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday · 7:30am to 4:30pm
Tuesday, Friday · 7:30am to 5:30pm
Saturday · 8:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday · Closed
Chao Pinhole®, Pinhole® Surgical Technique, and Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation® are registered trademarks of John Chao, DDS. Individual results vary. The Pinhole® Surgical Technique is a surgical procedure and candidacy must be determined by clinical evaluation. This page is for general information and is not a substitute for a professional diagnosis.
© DC Pearls Dental Boutique · 2440 M Street NW, Suite 709, Washington, DC 20037