MINIMALLY INVASIVE
Tunneling Surgery
A minimally invasive gum grafting approach that treats recession through small subsurface channels, preserving existing tissue and blood supply for faster, more comfortable healing.
A minimally invasive gum grafting approach that treats recession through small subsurface channels, preserving existing tissue and blood supply for faster, more comfortable healing.
Since gum tissue does not regenerate on its own, early intervention matters. Tunneling surgery is a minimally invasive technique designed to stop recession while preserving the natural architecture of your gums.
Rather than making vertical incisions or lifting a full flap, the tunneling technique creates small channels beneath the surface of the gum. Grafting material is placed precisely over exposed roots without disturbing the tissue between teeth.
Because the surrounding blood supply stays intact, healing is typically more comfortable and more efficient than traditional approaches, and long-term root coverage is highly predictable when the technique is used in the right cases.
When your case fits, tunneling surgery delivers real advantages over traditional grafting.
By avoiding flap elevation, tunneling keeps the natural vascular supply intact, which supports faster and more comfortable healing at the graft site.
The subsurface tunnel approach is well suited to treating several adjacent areas of recession together, often in a single appointment.
Because the papillae, the pink triangles of gum between teeth, are preserved, the treated area blends seamlessly with the surrounding gumline.
The tunneling technique is performed meticulously using biologic principles that prioritize blood supply, tissue compatibility, and long-term stability. In the right hands and the right case, it is one of the most refined tools in modern periodontics.
Tunneling surgery is completed under local anesthesia through small subsurface access points.
We assess every recession site, tissue thickness, and anatomy to confirm whether tunneling is the best option for you.
The treatment area is fully numbed. IV sedation is available for patients who prefer it, after a thorough medical review.
Small channels are created beneath the surface of the gum without vertical incisions or flap elevation. The tissue between teeth is preserved throughout.
Grafting material is placed precisely over the exposed root surfaces through the tunnels, without disrupting the surrounding architecture.
Most patients report minimal downtime and reduced post-op discomfort. Follow-up visits confirm the graft has integrated and coverage is holding.
When executed with surgical precision and quality biologic materials, tunneling surgery offers high long-term success rates for root coverage. The graft integrates with the surrounding tissue and becomes part of the natural gum structure.
Tunneling is not right for every patient. If tissue is too thin or anatomy limits tunnel creation, an alternative biologic grafting approach may deliver more predictable outcomes, and we will tell you honestly which technique fits your case.
We are honored you have chosen us for your periodontal care. At Coastal Periodontics, we believe every patient is unique, not just in dental needs but in values, past experiences, and treatment goals. Our team listens first, then designs a collaborative treatment plan around what matters to you. We pride ourselves on providing a calm, welcoming environment where every detail is handled with compassion. Our approach is grounded in a simple ideology: it is not about a procedure, it is about a long-term relationship. We stay active in continued education and in the community we serve.
Next Step
A consultation will tell us whether the tunneling approach or an alternative graft is the best fit.