Benefits of Alloderm
Gingival reconstruction performed by a periodontist is one of the most common interventions in a dental practice that also offers surgery. It is an important solution to solve several problems that afflict patients who need treatment of a gum recession with soft tissue regeneration.
What are gums and how they get damaged?
The gums cover the alveolar arches and surround the necks of the teeth. Their primary function is to protect the periodontium from possible attacks by external agents. We remind you that the periodontium is a set of structures whose main task is to support the tooth and keep it well anchored to the bone tissue. If the periodontal ligament suffers damage that is not remedied, there is a risk of falling out of the affected tooth. It goes without saying therefore, that any problem concerning the health of the gums must in no way be underestimated, because in the long run it can lead to far more serious complications than inflammation.
What is a gum recession?
The pathologies best known by most people are gingivitis and periodontitis, but not everyone knows that the gums can face another problem which is that of gingival recession. Gingival recession is a gradual process that leads the gum to withdraw from its natural position up to the root, thus exposing the tooth to the risk of attack by pathogens. The areas most exposed to this pathology are those of the canine-premolar area, that is to say the area of maximum curvature of the dental arch which matches with the least possible protection from the agents which tend to cause this problem. Often an upper gingival recession is observed in the left sector for right-handed people (right for left-handed people) based on the force that is put into brushing.
Why treat gum recession?
Most patients are led to think that when a gum recession occurs, they automatically suffer from periodontitis. That is not always the case. When there is a serious periodontal problem in addition to a retreat of the gums, black spaces between the teeth are clearly visible. If these are not present, but there is only a loss of gum tissue outside the tooth, the cause is probably due to incorrect brushing of the teeth.
In the latter case, not treating recessions doesn't lead to tooth loss, but that doesn't mean that the problem should be neglected by postponing it indefinitely. There are several reasons why action should be taken to cover recessions. First of all, having the root of the tooth uncovered as well as causing an annoying dental sensitivity to cold and heat in the long run can make it necessary to devitalize the tooth. In fact, if the root is not protected by the enamel, the same brushing "saws" the tooth, damaging it.
Secondly there is the aesthetic factor. The tooth appears longer than the others and if the gums of the front teeth are affected by recession, this discrepancy will be visible and often patients report it makes them smile less and feel self-conscious.
What are the benefits of using alloderm for your graft?
Alloderm is an allogenic graft where the surgeon uses tissue from a donor human that has been prepared in a laboratory. Alloderm grafts have collagen and elastin in them, which promotes cellular growth in your own tissue, which is different than if you use donor tissue, and can help your gums regrow and heal from any recession. Additionally, alloderm can reduce healing time, as your dentist doesn’t need to make several incisions to take the donor tissue from your body. Additionally, the success rate of alloderm grafts is quite high.