Pinhole Academy

Pinhole Academy The Pinhole Academy is the training center for The Pinhole Surgical Technique. Invented by Dr. Chao

The Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST®), invented and patented by John Chao, D.D.S., is a scalpel-free, suture-free procedure for correcting gum recession. Through a small pinhole made by a needle, Dr. Chao uses specially designed instruments to gently loosen the gum tissue and glide it over the receded part of the tooth. Since there is no cutting or stitching, patients can expect minimal post-operative symptoms (pain, swelling and bleeding). Most patients also are pleasantly surprised by the instant cosmetic improvement.

Clinical Observation — Gingival RecessionProcedure: Pinhole® Surgical TechniqueTooth/Teeth: #3–5Procedure year: 2013Pos...
02/21/2026

Clinical Observation — Gingival Recession
Procedure: Pinhole® Surgical Technique
Tooth/Teeth: #3–5
Procedure year: 2013
Post-operative interval: ≈13 years (2026 observation)

This post documents a long-term clinical observation interval following treatment of gingival recession using the Pinhole® Surgical Technique. At this stage, evaluation focuses on soft-tissue stability, tissue health, and the maintained clinical environment as the result of ongoing biologic remodeling.

Clinical Observation — Gingival RecessionCase Identification• Procedure: Pinhole® Surgical Technique• Tooth: #6• Proced...
02/13/2026

Clinical Observation — Gingival Recession

Case Identification
• Procedure: Pinhole® Surgical Technique
• Tooth: #6
• Procedure year: 2013
• Post-operative interval: 12 years (follow-up year: 2026)

At 12 years post-procedure, the treated site demonstrates long-term soft-tissue stability, with mature tissue appearance and improved continuity relative to baseline. Ongoing biologic remodeling over years is reflected in the integrated color/contour characteristics typical of long-term maturation.

Clinical Observation — Gingival RecessionCase Identification• Procedure: Pinhole® Surgical Technique• Tooth/Teeth: #4, ...
02/12/2026

Clinical Observation — Gingival Recession

Case Identification
• Procedure: Pinhole® Surgical Technique
• Tooth/Teeth: #4, 6, 7
• Procedure year: 2013
• Post-operative interval: 12 years (observed 2026)

Observation Text
This case documents the late healing phase following treatment of gingival recession at teeth #4, 6, and 7 using the Pinhole® Surgical Technique, a minimally invasive method designed to reposition gingival tissue without scalpel incisions or sutures. At 12 years post-procedure, the treated sites demonstrate clinically stable soft-tissue contour and margin appearance in this view, consistent with long-term tissue maturation. Continued biologic remodeling is expected over time, and long-term tissue position remains dependent on host response and local conditions.

Clinical Observation — Gingival RecessionProcedure: Pinhole® Surgical TechniqueTeeth: #19–25, 27–30Procedure date: 12/3...
02/12/2026

Clinical Observation — Gingival Recession

Procedure: Pinhole® Surgical Technique
Teeth: #19–25, 27–30
Procedure date: 12/30/25
Post-op interval: 6 weeks (02/11/26)
Procedure time: 5:48 PM – 6:54 PM (66 min)

This case documents the intermediate healing phase following treatment of gingival recession using the Pinhole® Surgical Technique, a minimally invasive method designed to reposition gingival tissue without scalpel incisions or sutures.

At 6 weeks post-procedure, the treated sites demonstrate improving tissue continuity, reduced marginal erythema, and early maturation consistent with ongoing biologic remodeling. The final resting position of the gingival margin has not yet declared.

02/12/2026

Periodontist Review: Pinhole® Academy Live Surgery Experience

Dr. Stephen Kelleher (Periodontist, New York) shares his thoughts after watching Dr. John Chao’s live Pinhole® Surgical Technique surgery at Pinhole® Academy.
Hands-on training. Real cases. Clinical decision-making in real time.

Clinical Observation — Gingival RecessionProcedure: Pinhole® Surgical TechniqueTeeth: #3, 4, 6–12Procedure date: 12/30/...
02/11/2026

Clinical Observation — Gingival Recession

Procedure: Pinhole® Surgical Technique
Teeth: #3, 4, 6–12
Procedure date: 12/30/25
Post-operative interval: 6 weeks
Procedure time: 3:35–5:15 PM (100 min)

This post documents the early healing phase following minimally invasive mucogingival management of recession in the maxillary segment using the Pinhole® Surgical Technique (no scalpel incisions or sutures).

At 6 weeks, the treated site demonstrates early tissue maturation with improved marginal continuity and reduced visible inflammation compared with baseline records. The final resting position of the gingival margin has not yet declared, as continued biologic remodeling is expected. The clinical objective was to establish a stable soft-tissue environment and allow host biology to determine long-term tissue position.

02/11/2026

From Serbia to Pinhole® Academy ✈️
Dr. Nikola Mitrović (Oral Surgeon) on why this technique is different.

02/11/2026

A periodontist’s take on the Pinhole® Surgical Technique 👇
“Right course for you.”

02/11/2026

Feb 6-7 Pinhole In-Person Seminar Highlights

Clinical Observation — Gingival RecessionCase Identification• Procedure: Pinhole® Surgical Technique• Tooth/Teeth: #20–...
02/10/2026

Clinical Observation — Gingival Recession

Case Identification
• Procedure: Pinhole® Surgical Technique
• Tooth/Teeth: #20–21
• Procedure date: 02/09/26
• Post-operative interval: 1 Day (02/10/26)
• Procedure time: 11:41 AM – 1:01 PM (80 minutes)

This case documents the acute (post-op day 1) healing phase following treatment of gingival recession at teeth #20–21 using the Pinhole® Surgical Technique, a minimally invasive method designed to reposition gingival tissue without scalpel incisions or sutures.

At 1 day post-procedure, the treated site demonstrates expected early edema/erythema with maintained soft-tissue positioning. At this stage, the final resting position of the gingival margin has not declared, as continued biologic remodeling is expected.

The clinical objective is to establish a stable soft-tissue environment and allow the patient’s biology to determine long-term tissue position.

Grateful to have had Dr. Nikola Mitrović join us for the Pinhole® Surgical Technique course — all the way from Serbia!Th...
02/09/2026

Grateful to have had Dr. Nikola Mitrović join us for the Pinhole® Surgical Technique course — all the way from Serbia!
Thank you, Dr. Mitrović, for traveling so far, bringing great energy, and engaging so thoughtfully throughout the training. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we’re excited to see the excellent care you’ll bring to your patients with PST®.

Tomorrow we welcome clinicians to Alhambra for our Pinhole® Seminar (Feb 6).Safe travels to everyone attending — see you...
02/05/2026

Tomorrow we welcome clinicians to Alhambra for our Pinhole® Seminar (Feb 6).
Safe travels to everyone attending — see you soon.
Last-minute questions? DM us.

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Our Story

The Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST®), invented and patented by John Chao, D.D.S., is a scalpel-free, suture-free procedure for correcting gum recession. Through a small pinhole made by a needle, Dr. Chao uses specially designed instruments to gently loosen the gum tissue and glide it over the receded part of the tooth. Since there is no cutting or stitching, patients can expect minimal post-operative symptoms (pain, swelling and bleeding). Most patients also are pleasantly surprised by the instant cosmetic improvement.