Benefits of Alloderm
One important component of good oral health is strong and healthy gum tissue. The gums not only aid in providing patients with a beautiful smile, they also help protect the teeth from sensitivity and periodontal disease. In order to maintain healthy gums, patients should practice good oral hygiene with twice daily brushing and flossing. It is also important to make regular visits to the dentist for an examination and professional cleaning. Unfortunately, even when patients have good oral hygiene practices and make routine dental visits, they may require additional treatment in order to care for their gums. Receding gums are relatively common. One treatment option is to harvest soft tissue from the palate or roof of the mouth. The tissue is then grafted and attached to the area which is damaged. The surgical process of removing a portion of soft tissue from the palate can result in discomfort and an additional procedure which may not be needed.
Modern dentistry has introduced AlloDerm Regenerative Tissue Matrix (RTM) which gives patients the ability to restore their smile and gums without the additional procedure required to obtain tissue from their palate. AlloDerm RTM is an exceptional alternative treatment which can give patients natural results and restore damaged, receding gum tissue.
Gum Recession Treatment
Common causes for receding gums include poor oral hygiene, gum disease, and using too much force when brushing the teeth. Additional signs of damaged gums include the following:
- Bone loss
- Decay of teeth
- Black triangles or an unattractive smile
- Increased sensitivity
- Build-up of plaque and tartar
- Visible gum recession
The AlloDerm RTM procedure includes the use of donated tissue. The tissue is thoroughly screened and processed in order to remove all cells. The result is a regenerative tissue matrix which can be used to restore receding gums. AlloDerm has been success in restoring damaged tissue for more than 10 years with an extremely high success rate.
AlloDerm Benefits
AlloDerm is becoming increasingly popular and has been used by thousands of patients and dentists. Below are some of the top benefits of using AlloDerm for the treatment of receding gums:
1. Extremely safe procedure with high rates of success
2. Results are predictable and a great alternative using the patient’s own tissue
3. Natural appearance which closely matches the existing gums
4. Eliminates additional pain, discomfort, and complications associated with the removal of the patient’s soft tissue in the palate
Safety of AlloDerm
AlloDerm has been successfully used in dental and medical procedures for reconstruction and plastic surgery. It was originally introduction in 1994 and more than one million AlloDerm grafts have been successfully placed.
Extensive screening and testing is completed for all donor tissue. The tissue is then processed to ensure that all living cells are removed. This ensures a successful procedure and involves limited complications.
Recovery
The dentist typically uses a dressing material to cover the treatment area where the graft is placed. While the recovery time can vary from patient to patient, significant recovery will take place during the first few weeks. Most patients are fully recovered within a few months. The dentist will provide specific instructions for the healing process prior to the procedure. Some of the instructions which are commonly provided for recovery period include:
- Avoid brushing the gums near the treatment site
- Chew carefully and avoid chewing near the graft placement area
- Use recommended medications which are prescribed by the dental professional such as a mouth rinse, pain medication, and antibiotics
AlloDerm is a highly successful procedure used in the treatment of receding gums. Follow up with your dentist to determine if you may be a good candidate and to discuss any questions.