What is AlloDerm Made Of?
AlloDerm, often used to restore gum tissue when the gums are compromised, is sterile, dehydrated tissue that is derived from the skin of human donor cadavers. Human skin is made of two layers: the dermis and the epidermis. AlloDerm uses only the dermal layer, which means that there are no living cells in AlloDerm, making it highly biocompatible and unlikely to be rejected by the patient’s own body. This dermal layer contains structural, biological, and biochemical components that help it regenerate; this is why the skin regenerates and replaces itself throughout a person’s lifespan and why the dermal layer is ideal for grafting. Available in pliable sheets, AlloDerm is widely used for reconstructive and plastic surgeries. Before being placed, this versatile material is rehydrated so that it can be perfectly shaped and sculpted before being sutured in place. Once it is placed, AlloDerm supports the growth of new tissue and provides a structure for this new tissue, promoting its growth and ensuring that it develops healthily and attractively. To ensure that the donor tissue is fit for use in grafts, donors are screened for transmissible diseases and additional tests are performed; these measures guarantee that the material is safe for use in medical and dental procedures.
Traditionally, the tissue used for gingival grafts has been harvested from the palate of the patient, using multiple smaller incisions and requiring longer, more painful recovery times. Because it is sourced from an outside donor and because there is very little risk that the patient’s body will reject the AlloDerm grafting matrix, recovery times are dramatically shorter and the overall procedure is far less invasive, and less painful, than procedures using autografted tissue derived from the patient’s own oral tissues. While the success rates of AlloDerm are very high, the healing period following surgery is an important part of the overall success of the surgery; patients who smoke will be counseled to stop smoking during healing and may be guided to refrain from excessive exertion or other behaviors that could interfere with healing.
AlloDerm can be especially beneficial when patients’ own soft tissue is compromised or damaged; these compromised tissues can be reinforced with AlloDerm, which provides structure and reinforcement where the natural tissues can’t. The dermal matrix of AlloDerm is pliable and sculptable. Once AlloDerm has been shaped and sutured to affected areas of compromised or lacking gingival tissue, the existing gum tissue is sutured to the AlloDerm grafts and the tissues heal together. As the tissue heals, new tissue growth is stimulated by the reinforcements provided by AlloDerm. As this healthy gum tissue grows, it helps protect the roots of the teeth, reducing tooth sensitivity and supporting the integrity of the teeth while improving gum health and enhancing the appearance of the gum line, the teeth, and the smile.
Gingival restoration treatment with AlloDerm is often preceded by a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory treatments, which helps prevent infection in the grafts and minimize swelling in the surrounding area. While patients report mild discomfort for the first few days after an AlloDerm grafting procedure, it is generally considered to be reasonably painless procedure. When compromised gum tissue is left unaddressed, the risks of progressing periodontal disease increase, which can eventually lead to tooth loss; grafting with AlloDerm can slow or even halt the loss of soft tissue and bone, helping keep the teeth healthy and stable in the mouth, where they belong.