Canadian Academy of Periodontology

Gum grafts with allogenic and xenogenic materials

When a gum graft is suggested to cover an exposed root, you or your periodontist may choose to use a material other than the gum available in your mouth (usually from the palate). One option is to use dermis (a layer of the skin) that is harvested from human donors (allogenic).

The graft may also come from the collagen extracted from pigs (xenogenic). These materials come from recognized tissue banks that sterilize and test these tissues for safety. However, these graft materials are not suitable for all situations.

Your periodontist will let you know if you are a good candidate for these type of grafts.