Restoring receding gums with traditional grafting and AlloDerm
A Connective Tissue Graft is a dental procedure that corrects gingival (gum) recession. When the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth pulls back, it exposes the tooth's root. This is often due to gum disease or overly aggressive tooth brushing. At Dentistry On The PATH in Toronto, Dr. Yolanda Cruz uses both traditional grafting and the AlloDerm regenerative tissue matrix to restore healthy gum coverage.
Two leading reasons gum tissue recedes and roots become exposed are over-aggressive brushing and gum disease. Exposed roots may be sensitive to hot and cold, vulnerable to decay, and associated with loss of supporting bone.
Gum recession and exposed roots can lead to the following problems:
Healthy gum tissue protects your teeth from disease and sensitivity, and is the foundation of a great smile. When you lose gum tissue around your teeth, it can be the beginning of serious oral health problems.
Fortunately, Dr. Yolanda Cruz can perform a connective tissue graft to correct this tissue loss. Typically, the doctor harvests a piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth to serve as the graft material. However, not all patients have enough tissue available, and some are reluctant to have tissue taken from this sensitive area.
Therefore, patients can opt for an alternative solution called AlloDerm — graft material made from donated human tissue.
AlloDerm is donated human tissue that has been processed to remove donor cells, creating a regenerative tissue matrix. LifeCell Corporation processes AlloDerm, and BioHorizons distributes it to dental professionals.
AlloDerm is widely used in both medicine and dentistry for plastic and reconstructive surgery. Originally developed to treat burn patients, it is now used across multiple surgical specialties:
Used in soft tissue reconstruction across general surgical applications.
Applied in reconstructive procedures within urogenital specialties.
Used in tendon, ligament, and joint reconstruction procedures.
Used in periodontal grafting and reconstructive oral procedures.
After the surgery, the doctor will provide post-operative instructions, which may include:
Because every patient is different, only a trained surgical dentist can determine the best treatment plan for you. Dr. Yolanda Cruz will explain the benefits and risks and determine if connective tissue grafting or AlloDerm is right for you.