AlloDerm®
The importance of gum tissue, and bringing it back to life
Healthy gum tissue protects your teeth from disease and helps produce a great smile. However, when you experience gum tissue loss around your teeth, it can be the beginning of serious oral health problems. Fortunately, your doctor can perform a predictable procedure for reversing this tissue loss. In the past, this procedure has required that a piece of tissue be harvested from the roof of the mouth to serve as the graft material. Unfortunately, not everyone has enough tissue available, or wants to have tissue taken from this sensitive area
Now, however, you have a choice.
AlloDerm Regenerative Tissue Matrix
AlloDerm provides the missing components needed to restore health to damaged or receding tissue. It leads to fast healing with no second surgical site, and delivers great cosmetic results. Thousands of doctors and patients have made it their choice too.
What is AlloDerm?
AlloDerm is a dermal matrix that allows your doctor to give you the tissue graft you need, without the limitations associated with harvesting the graft material from somewhere else in your mouth.
Naturally you have more questions.
How is AlloDerm procured and processed?
AlloDerm Regenerative Tissue Matrix is processed from donated human tissue that must pass the same stringent screening criteria as any other implantable tissue or organ (heart, lungs & kidneys, etc.). Even before it undergoes processing, the donor tissue must pass rigid guidelines set by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It only comes to LifeCell from tissue banks that meet the standards of the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB). LifeCell’s proprietary processing then takes the tissue, under additional regulations and AATB guidelines and makes it even safer.
How safe is AlloDerm?
Besides its use in dental applications, AlloDerm has been used extensively in Burn Reconstruction and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery. In its history of over 9 years and 450,000 procedures, there has never been a reported case of viral disease transmission from AlloDerm tissue. Here are three important factors to consider when evaluating the safety of AlloDerm tissue:
Tissue donors are screened and tested to exclude those who may have been exposed to HIV, Hepatitis B & C and other viral and microbial pathogens.
The tissue is processed to remove all cellular components.
In addition to donor screening and serological lab testing, the agents used in the cell removal process have demonstrated the ability to inactivate HIV virus.
How does AlloDerm work?
AlloDerm provides the collagen, structure and proteins that help your body's own tissue grow and remodel. The collagen serves as a scaffold into which your cells can grow. The proteins act as recruiters, drawing your cells into the graft, and telling them how to remodel it.
What happens to the AlloDerm during the healing process?
As the body's natural processes take over, your own cells move into the AlloDerm. Over time, your cells transform the AlloDerm into your own healthy gum tissue. Once recovery is complete, you won't be able to tell the AlloDerm was ever there.
What are some of the advantages of using AlloDerm for my surgery?
You have the freedom of choice: to use tissue harvested from another part of your mouth, or to use AlloDerm.
AlloDerm allows you to focus on only one surgical site. For you this means a more comfortable healing period.
AlloDerm does not contain damaged cells that can lead to inflammation.
What about documented success of AlloDerm?
Multiple clinical studies have documented AlloDerm to be equivalent to the patient's own tissue for the treatment of recession defects. AlloDerm has also demonstrated equivalent or superior aesthetic results compared to the patient's own tissue. AlloDerm is also successfully used to augment soft tissue around dental implants, protect bone grafts and cover extraction sockets.
What to expect after surgery.
You may have some initial swelling and possibly some mild bruising at the surgical site. This is normal following any surgery. You may also have a dressing material placed over the surgery/graft area. This needs to stay as secure as possible until the doctor removes it. Avoid pulling on your lip to look at the site, or rubbing your tongue over the site. This could cause the graft to dislodge, disrupting the surgical site.
You should avoid using toothpaste and eating granular foods for the first two weeks after surgery. This is a very important stage of healing for your graft. Your doctor may ask that you refrain from using your toothbrush around the surgical site during healing.
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic and a mouth rinse to be used after the surgery. Maintaining your oral health is an important role you play to ensure a successful graft.
Healing time may vary depending on the individual and the procedure. Your body's natural healing process will begin to cause cells to migrate to the graft shortly after your surgery.
You should experience significant healing within the first week. Complete healing may take 2 to 6 months depending on the type of surgery. During the initial healing time the graft may appear white in color. This is normal, do not move or remove the graft. It should return to a natural tissue color in a matter of a few weeks.