Gum recession is most often caused by lack of oral care or improper brushing, and it can result in loss of gum tissue and teeth. Gum disease is a common condition that many people experience. If left untreated, it can escalate to infection, tooth sensitivity, gum recession, tooth loss, and bone loss. A temporary solution to minimize the pain when the root of the teeth is exposed is a bonding treatment. Unfortunately, bonding is not for the long term. The bone tissue can deteriorate further, and when the condition becomes severe, treatment is needed to restore the gums.
Grafting can also be an option. During this procedure, dentists extract gum tissues from other parts of the mouth to heal the affected site.
Alloderm is another way to treat severe gum disease. This minimally invasive treatment can reverse tissue loss. It can also heal and restore the gums without harvesting tissue from multiple areas. Alloderm is a tissue taken from the dermis and epidermis layer of a donor, not the patient.
This makes the procedure less invasive and faster. As it is a human tissue with a low chance of rejection, recovery is a lot smoother, less painful, and very effective. The Alloderm tissue contains a layer of collagen, which helps cells regenerate and speed up healing. When the Alloderm tissue is inserted, the collagen binds with the existing tissue. It then encourages cell and tissue growth to heal the receding gum tissue.
The Alloderm gum recession treatment is a quick procedure compared to traditional grafting. It only requires one site to operate on instead of multiple locations.
The treatment begins with numbing the entire mouth. Dentists then make incisions in the gum tissue surrounding the infected teeth and open a pocket. They clean the area thoroughly and place the Alloderm tissue into the pocket. They position it to cover the exposed root before stitching it up. After the treatment, common symptoms include swelling and tenderness. These will fade within a few days.