Nothing is quite as friendly as a beautiful smile.

Has the beauty of your smile been diminished by tiny vertical lines that cause your lipstick to bleed? Or, has the graceful curve of Cupid's Bow on your upper lip begun to flatten out? These are two signs of aging that affect many of our patients today. Now, thanks to a simple in-office procedure, we can reverse these aging signs and restore or enhance that beautiful smile with a natural implant material called AlloDerm.

What is AlloDerm?

AlloDerm is a dermal graft/implant material made from donated skin and processed by the LifeCell Corporation. It is strictly regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as is any other donated human tissue material indicated for transplantation, including kidneys, hearts, corneas, bone and other tissues generously donated by individuals or their families. With AlloDerm, the epidermis, or top layer of cells, and the cells in the dermis are removed from the donor tissue as part of the purification process. All that remains is a collagen framework that provides strength to the skin. AlloDerm contains no cells that can cause rejection or inflammation. Once the AlloDerm graft or implant material is in place, it gradually becomes a natural part of your body.

Is AlloDerm safe?

Yes. The U.S. Tissue Bank rigorously screens all tissue donors' medical records, cause of death and social history. Blood samples are meticulously tested and certified using standards set and licensed by the FDA. All donors must be found negative for Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C, and free from HIV Types 1 and 2. In addition, all AlloDerm grafts are examined by microscope before and after processing to rule out pathologic contamination and ensure consistent quality.

What can I expect to feel like after I have an AlloDerm implant?

When we use AlloDerm as an implant, you are likely to have a suture or two to close the implant site. These will be removed in three to five days. Discomfort is minimal. After receiving AlloDerm implants for the lips and nasal labial fold areas, patients are up and around immediately. Any discomfort following the procedure can be controlled with medication. Some swelling at the treatment site may last up to a week. There may be some bruising, which can be covered with make-up. Most patients return to normal activities the next day. What our patients like the most about their AlloDerm implants is that they feel natural and look great! If you have been wondering how to restore your smile or get rid of your wrinkles, but aren't ready for a facelift, AlloDerm implants may provide your answer.

To find out if you could benefit from AlloDerm, call our office and arrange a private consultation.

Why can't AlloDerm transmit HIV?

HIV is a human parasitic virus that requires certain types of live human cells to be present in order to survive. These cells are removed during the processing of the AlloDerm graft/implant, eliminating the possibility of survival or transmission of these types of viruses. For additional protection, all AlloDerm graft/implants are freeze-dried after cell removal.

According to The New England Journal of Medicine', there has never been a documented case of HIV transmission related to any transplant of human, freeze-dried, processed tissue graft.

How is Alloderm used?

Initially, Alloderm was used as a skin replacement for burn patients. Quickly, plastic, reconstructive, dermatologic, oral and cosmetic surgeons worldwide recognized the benefits provided by this natural soft tissue replacement when used as an implant to repair or replace damaged or inadequate dermal tissue. Since 1992, Alloderm has been used in more than 30,000 patients.

Some of the benefits of the Alloderm graft/implant are:

• It is the only graft/implant capable of regenerating normal tissue
• Since it is human tissue, it cannot provoke any inflammatory response or allergic reaction.
• It is a soft, pliable implant with a natural feel.
• There is no need to harvest tissue from another site on your body.
• It requires a very thin layer when used as a surface graft.