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-opera

tive symptoms (pain, swelling and bleeding). Most patients also are pleasantly surprised by the instant cosmetic improvement.

Clinical Observation — Gingival RecessionPinhole® Surgical TechniqueTeeth: #18–31Procedure date: 4/9/2026Post-operative...
04/10/2026

Clinical Observation — Gingival Recession

Pinhole® Surgical Technique
Teeth: #18–31
Procedure date: 4/9/2026
Post-operative interval: Immediate post-operative observation
Procedure time: 11:30 AM–12:37 PM

This case documents the immediate post-operative phase following treatment of generalized mandibular gingival recession involving teeth #18–31 with the Pinhole® Surgical Technique.

Baseline and immediate post-operative views show coronal repositioning of the gingival tissues across the treated mandibular arch, with increased soft-tissue volume and improved tissue continuity. Mild erythema and edema are present, consistent with the expected immediate healing response.

At this stage, 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 long-term tissue position to be determined by the patient’s own biology.

The Pinhole® Surgical Technique was developed by Dr. John Chao as a biologically guided, minimally invasive approach to the management of gingival recession.

Follow-up healing results from the live surgery case presented during our February 6, 2026 Pinhole® Seminar.These photos...
03/17/2026

Follow-up healing results from the live surgery case presented during our February 6, 2026 Pinhole® Seminar.

These photos show the case before surgery, immediately after surgery, 1 day after, and 1 week after treatment.

Especially meaningful for the doctors who attended and observed the procedure live that day, and helpful for our entire Pinhole® community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday and today, you were an amazing group! Special thanks to Dr. Xue and Dr. Zh...
03/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday and today, you were an amazing group! Special thanks to Dr. Xue and Dr. Zhang for organizing this group and making this seminar so memorable! ❤

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

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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.