Benefits of Alloderm
One of the components of a healthy smile is healthy gum tissue. Our gums protect the roots of our teeth, help keep teeth in place, and protect bone structure. Periodontal disease and other factors can lead to gum recession. When the tissue begins to pull away from the heat to the structure, the roots may become exposed and can lead to extreme sensitivity and discomfort for the patient. The bone tissue is also at risk to bacteria and resorption. When the bone becomes affected, teeth can experience mobility and even fall out.
Maintaining a healthy smile is simple! Proper oral hygiene at home and seeing your dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings and exams are crucial to keeping your natural teeth as long as possible. Unfortunately, gum recession can happen under the best circumstances simply due to age or genetics but a gum graft can help rejuvenate your gum line and restore your healthy smile!
What is a gum graft?
Gum graft utilizes either tissue harvested from the patient's mouth (autograft) or from a donor (allograft). The tissue is placed over the affected area to help the patients natural gum tissue grow to restore the gum line.
Using donor tissue is often easier on the patient since two surgical sites are not open at the same time. An allograft also allows more extensive treatment than an autograft since the entire mouth can be treated at once. Gum grafts using the patient’s own tissue are often more painful since not only is the affected gum tissue healing, but also the roof of the patient's mouth from which the tissue was harvested has to heal.
What is AlloDerm?
An AlloDerm graft is donated tissue that has been processed to remove any living cells, viruses, and bacteria. It provides a foundation for the patient's natural gum tissue to gravitate to and integrate with to restore the area.
AlloDerm is widely used in the medical and dental field, not only for gum grafts but also for plastic and reconstructive surgeries. The donor tissue is extensively screened and tested before undergoing proprietary processing to ensure that it is ready for use in patients. This type of graft offer is an excellent safety profile and is a great alternative to using the patient’s own tissue.
An AlloDerm graft also provides a natural outcome, often with better aesthetics than using the patient’s own tissue. It also avoids the pain associated with two open surgery sites and potential complications associated with harvesting tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth.
What can I expect after an AlloDerm graft?
Your doctor will cover the area with the dressing material that needs to stay in place until they remove themselves. It is important to avoid brushing the area until your doctor clears you and also to avoid chewing near the surgery site. Complete healing, where the graft is fully integrated, can take up to six months but most patients reach a comfortable level of healing after a few weeks. You will also likely be prescribed an antibiotic to prevent infection as well as a pain medication and antimicrobial mouth rinse.
If you experience recession and sensitivity, speak with your dentist to have the problem addressed as soon as possible. Your gum tissue will not grow back on its own so restorative measures need to be taken sooner rather than later.