What is AlloDerm Made Of?

AlloDerm is made from donated human skin that has been extensively processed to remove all living cells while preserving the underlying collagen scaffold. Technically it is called an acellular dermal matrix. The final product contains no cells, no DNA, no fat, and no hair follicles: just the structural collagen and elastin that once supported living skin. Your body populates it with your own cells after implantation.

Where the Source Tissue Comes From

AlloDerm is manufactured from tissue donated by consenting donors through the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) accredited network. Donors are screened rigorously for infectious diseases and medical history. The tissue is then transported to the manufacturing facility for processing.

How the Processing Works

The manufacturing process removes everything except the underlying collagen structure. The key steps:

1. Cellular removal: detergents dissolve away all living skin cells (fibroblasts, immune cells, endothelial cells)
2. DNA and immune-marker removal: further processing removes any remaining DNA, HLA markers, and other proteins that could trigger an immune response
3. Pathogen inactivation: additional steps inactivate any viral or bacterial pathogens
4. Preservation: the final acellular matrix is freeze-dried for long shelf life and shipped in sterile packaging

The result is a sheet of pure human collagen matrix that acts as a scaffold, not a foreign implant.

Why the Processing Matters

Removing cells eliminates the two things that make donor tissue problematic in medicine: rejection and disease transmission. Because there are no cells, your immune system does not see AlloDerm as foreign, so there is no need for immunosuppressive drugs. Because DNA and pathogens have been removed, there has never been a documented case of disease transmission from AlloDerm in over 30 years of clinical use.

What Happens After It Is Placed

Once positioned in the surgical site under a small gum flap, your body's cells migrate into the collagen scaffold over the following weeks. Blood vessels grow through the graft, fibroblasts populate the matrix, and your own tissue essentially replaces the scaffold. By 3 to 6 months post-op, AlloDerm has been converted to your own living tissue and is indistinguishable from surrounding gum on histology.

Alternatives Made of Different Materials

Other soft-tissue graft materials include:

• Xenografts from processed bovine or porcine tissue
• Autografts from your own palate (your own tissue, harvested at surgery)
• Synthetic collagen matrices from purified porcine collagen

Each has tradeoffs. See our AlloDerm overview and alternatives to gum grafting pages for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AlloDerm contain any living cells?

No. The manufacturing process removes all cells. Only the collagen and elastin scaffolding remains.

Is AlloDerm considered a foreign body?

No, because your body populates it with your own cells within months of placement.

Is it kosher or halal compatible?

AlloDerm is derived from human tissue, not animal, so common religious dietary restrictions on animal products do not apply. If you have specific religious or ethical concerns, discuss them with your periodontist.

Consult in DC, Alexandria, or Reston

Request a consult at our Washington DC, Alexandria, or Reston office. We will discuss whether AlloDerm or your own palate tissue is the right choice for your gum grafting case.