The cost of pinhole gum surgery can range from just a few hundred dollars with insurance to as much as $5,500 without it.
Significantly less invasive, time-consuming, and painful than traditional gum grafting surgery, pinhole gum surgery treats gum recession, prevents tooth loss and gum disease, reduces tooth sensitivity, and improves your smile.
Read on to find out why the price of this procedure can vary so much, whether it’s covered by insurance, and how it compares to gum grafting.
RealSelf Tip: This gum rejuvenation technique is not recommended for patients with advanced bone loss. Studies show that the pinhole surgical technique is appropriate only for correcting Miller Class I and Class II gum recession. You must also have thick gum tissue and be free of inflammation and active periodontal disease to undergo pinhole gum surgery.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Pinhole Gum Surgery
Many dental and orthodontic insurance plans cover the cost of gum surgeries like this one, if they’re performed for medical (rather than purely cosmetic) reasons. Check with your insurance provider to confirm whether the procedure will be covered or not, and whether you’ll have any out-of-pocket costs.
If you don’t have insurance, financing is an option. Many dental offices also offer monthly payment plans. Talk to your dentist or periodontist about what options are available to you.
In some situations, the per-tooth cost of pinhole surgical surgery can be comparable to traditional gum grafting.
However, RealSelf members report that the average cost of pinhole gum surgery is about $1,000 more than a gum graft, which costs $2,775 on average.
The price you pay for this procedure will depend on:
The number of teeth you have with exposed roots will have a big impact on the extent and cost of your pinhole gum surgery. The more teeth that need work, the more time your provider will spend on your procedure, which translates to a higher bill.
Many providers charge for pinhole gum surgery by quadrant (Upper Left, Upper Right, Lower Left, and Lower Right). Cases that only involve one or two quadrants and don’t require dental sedation can typically be completed in one appointment.
However, instances that involve fixing three or all four quadrants may require multiple appointments. As you’d expect, that would ramp up your price.
Choosing to see a periodontist, who specializes in issues related to gum tissue, will cost more because of their expertise and additional training.
Some general dentists may perform pinhole gum surgery, but a periodontal specialist typically provides better quality care.
You'll pay a premium for a provider who practices in an area where the cost of living and demand for pinhole gum surgery is high.
Sometimes it comes down to whether their dental office is in an upscale neighborhood (with amenities and decor to match) or in a lower-rent part of town, with a more modest set-up. If you can get a price quote from more than one qualified provider, you might find an opportunity to save.
Diagnostic exams such as X-Rays or CT scans will be necessary, to determine the overall health of your teeth and gums.
These tests, in addition to your initial evaluation, will add to the overall cost of the procedure—especially if you don’t have insurance coverage.
A deep cleaning of your teeth is also commonly performed before this procedure.
Some patients need additional procedures, to correct the underlying cause of your recessed gums and treat any periodontal disease.
Dental procedures that are commonly performed along with pinhole gum surgery include gum contouring, dental bonding, dental crowns, and dental veneers.
During your consultation, your provider should recommend a full treatment plan and provide you with a written cost estimate of each procedure, along with a total estimated cost. Make sure you get this before you book your appointment, so you can budget accordingly.