FAQs
Cerasorb
What are the ingredients in Cerasorb?
A new generation of pure-phase beta-tricalcium phosphate is specifically made to provide unique interconnecting porosity which encourages cell growth
For which grafting indications can I use Cerasorb?
Cerasorb can be used for virtually all oral surgical indications, including socket extractions, ridge augmentations, periodontal defects, sinus lifts and other bony defects. Clinicians describe the variety of indications in the 130 publications found in the Literature section.
What granule sizes of Cerasorb should I use in different indications?
Size Recommendations for Clinical Indications
| Granule Size | Indication | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 150-500µ m | Periodontal defects, socket extractions | 0.5-0.7cc |
| 500-1000µ m | Ridge preservation & augmentation, sinus lifts | 0.7-2.5cc |
| 1000-2000µ m | Large bony defects, cysts | Various |
How do I prepare Cerasorb?
Prepare the graft bed removing bone fragments and necrotic tissue. Then, the Cerasorb granules should be mixed with the patient’s fresh blood from the defect or with venous blood at about a 1/3 blood to 2/3 ratio. The bone defect should be completely filled with intact mixed granules, avoiding overfilling. The mucoperiosteal flaps can be sutured for primary closure or the surgeon may place a surgical dressing or membrane such as EpiGuide to keep the granule /blood mixture in place. The porous structure of Cerasorb gives excellent radio-opaqueness as it resorbs which allows the healing process to be monitored as the bone cells and blood vessels grow into the matrix.
Why is Cerasorb better than other synthetic bone grafting materials?
Because of its manufacturing process, Cerasorb is pure-phase β-TCP and does not contain other components such as hydroxyl apatite (HA) found in older ceramics, and thus, its resorption occurs completely, uniformly and parallel to the formation of the surrounding bone.
Why is Cerasorb preferable to biologically-derived bone grafting products?
With Cerasorb, patient education and consent forms do not need to address problems involving allergic reactions or the potential risks of infection transmission from materials bovine bone, processed bone matrix or cadaveric DFBDA.
Should I use Cerasorb in all extractions or only for sockets where implants will be placed?
Bone grafting with an osteoconductive material like Cerasorb should be used for all socket extractions, whether or not dental implant placement is planned. Recent studies have shown that not using GBR techniques can lead to a loss of 40-60% of the ridge in only a few years. These studies have shown that effective GBR techniques can minimize that loss to 10-15%.
How long will it take for Cerasorb to resorb and be incorporated into bone? How can I tell that the bone can support a dental implant?
In most situations, Cerasorb is completely resorbed in 4-12 months and its porous scaffold during that time helps the natural bone formation to occur. In addition, Cerasorb granules are radio-opaque, resorbing gradually from the inside out, so clinicians can easily monitor the site’s status (see examples in clinical section). Detecting no granules or just granule “shells” assures that vital bone has grown into the area to support a new implant
Do I need to use a membrane for all grafting procedures or to keep Cerasorb in place?
Most clinicians prefer placing a membrane over the surgical site to protect the area and the osteogenesis process from disruption as it heals. A membrane can also help hold the Cerasorb granules in place but the unique polygonal shape of the granules will hold them together when properly prepared.
CollaGuide™
What is the CollaGuide collagen dental membrane made of?
The CollaGuide collagen membrane is manufactured with no chemical cross-linking and is derived from closed-herd bovine sources to ensure high purity.
What is the difference in CollaGuide collagen dental membrane and other resorbable collagen membranes?
The CollaGuide collagen membrane is a translucent, non-friable collagen membrane derived from bovine hide.
CollaGuide collagen membrane has a morphology of dense fibers for mechanical strength. Its dense fibrous structure creates porosity designed to retard epithelial downgrowth and prevent gingiva connective cell migration into the wound site.
What size membranes do CollaGuide collagen membranes come in?
The CollaGuide collagen membrane is available in 3 convenient sizes:
- 15 mm x 20 mm
- 20 mm x 30 mm
- 30 mm x 40 mm
What happens to the CollaGuide collagen membrane? What does it turn into?
CollaGuide collagen membrane has a morphology of dense fibers for mechanical strength. Its dense fibrous structure creates porosity designed to retard epithelial downgrowth and prevent gingiva connective cell migration into the wound site.
As the CollaGuide collagen Membrane is resorbed, it is converted into its constituent amino acids which are naturally metabolized by the body.
Can the CollaGuide collagen membrane be sutured in place?
Yes. Fixation of the dental membrane may be indicated to avoid displacement due to loading or mobilization. The membrane can be sutured in place using absorbable sutures and a non-cutting needle. Resorbable tacks can also be used to affix the membrane. The mucoperiosteal flap is sutured over the collagen membrane and the wound should be closed completely to avoid accelerated resorption due to membrane exposure.
What is the shelf-life of the CollaGuide collagen membrane?
The shelf life of the CollaGuide collagen membrane is as labeled.
How does the CollaGuide collagen membrane need to be stored?
Store at controlled room temperature (15-25°C) and in a dry place.
EpiGuide
What are the ingredients in EpiGuide?
EpiGuide is made of polylactic acid (PLA) which helps it maintains its structure with consistent resorption.
For which indications can I use EpiGuide?
EpiGuide can be used for all GBR and GTR indications. EpiGuide has a unique 3 layer structure with the following characteristics:
- The structure will keep it from adhering to surgical tissue
- It will encourage the flow of interstitial fluids and the gradual egress of tissue
- EpiGuide has internal chambers that will slow down fibroblasts which will produce healthy tissue
How do I prepare and fit EpiGuide into the surgical area?
EpiGuide comes in a sterilized 18 ×30 mm single dental membrane sheet which maintains sufficient rigidity and malleability after removal from its sterile packaging so it can be easily cut and shaped. After it is placed in the surgical site, the surrounding tissues will moisten the membrane, allowing for excellent resorption.
How long will EpiGuide maintain its integrity?
It will maintain its architecture and structural integrity for 20 weeks after implantation, making it ideal for most procedures. Complete resorption will occur between 6 and 12 months, depending on the location and the patient’s health.
Inion GTR
What are the Inion GTR biodegradable dental membranes and tacks made of?
They are made of a blend of rigid and elastic polymers selected for their strength, malleability and degradation properties. The polymers in the Inion biodegradable membrane are:
- L-Lactide
- D, L-Lactide
- Glygolide
- Trimethylene carbonate
What is the difference in Inion biodegradable membranes and other resorbable membranes?
The key difference is that the Inion biodegradable membrane becomes stiff when implanted. This allows for more space maintenance underneath the membrane which means that more bone volume can be generated.
Why is a plasticizer needed?
The plasticizer is used to soften the membrane for the time of implantation. Without the plasticizer, the membrane would be too stiff to adapt it to the defect morphology. Once the membrane is sutured or tacked in place, it will re-harden to house the grafting material beneath.
Why is there only one size of membrane?
The size of the Inion biodegradable membrane is large enough to cover all types of defects. The membrane size is 30 mm by 40 mm. This makes inventory of different shapes and sizes unnecessary. For ease of trimming, special templates are included in each membrane package.
What makes the Inion membrane different from other dental membranes used in similar indications?
Inion membranes are used when a patient does not have enough bone for implants, crowns or dentures. Often surgeons will choose a titanium membrane for scaffolding required to build height and depth. Titanium membranes need to be removed in a second surgery after there is enough bone growth, while Inion membranes will fully resorb, hence eliminating the need for a second surgery.
What is the degradation or resorption time for the Inion biodegradable membrane and tacks?
The Inion biodegradable membrane fully degrades or resorbs in 1-2 years and the tacks in 2-4 years. Implants can be placed much sooner than, as long as there is adequate depth and width of ridgeline.
What happens to the Inion biodegradable membrane? What does it become?
The membrane is broken down by hydrolysis and is resorbed and “metabolized” by the body into CO2 and water. It basically becomes the patient’s own gingival tissue.
Can the Inion biodegradable membrane be sutured in place?
Yes. The membrane can either be fastened with tacks with resorbable suture materials using a non-cutting needle.
How does the Inion biodegradable membrane need to be stored?
Store at controlled room temperature (15-25C) and in a dry place.
AlloSorb
What is AlloSorb made from?
Allograft materials are processed and sterilized using a patented technology to minimize the risk of transmission of disease. The screening process for donors meets or exceeds both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and industry standards.
How is AlloSorb processed and sterilized?
AlloSorb is a STERILE R dental allograft material. Following a rigorous screening process, all dental allografts undergo a patented cleansing process. This process utilizes both mechanical and chemical methodologies to reduce the potential of disease transmission.
What are the clinical indications for AlloSorb?
AlloSorb is a natural and predictable way to regenerate bone. AlloSorb particulate grafting is an excellent option for ridge augmentation, socket extractions and sinus augmentation. AlloSorb J-Platform grafts are instrumental in bone volume regeneration for severe bone atrophy cases that require an increase in initial stability for a dental implant site.
How long will it take for AlloSorb to resorb and to be incorporated into bone?
Resorption of AlloSorb will vary across patients, amount of bone, and type of indication, however an average time for resorption is 4 months.
Do I need to use a membrane to keep AlloSorb in place?
Most clinicians prefer placing a membrane over the surgical site to protect the area and the osteogenesis process from disruption as it heals. A membrane can also help hold the AlloSorb granules in place. However, if there is enough tissue for primary closure, no membrane is necessary.
How does AlloSorb need to be stored?
Freeze dried tissue must be stored at ambient temperature or colder, not to exceed 48⁰C (120⁰F).
What is the average shelf life range for AlloSorb?
The average shelf life range for AlloSorb vials is 5 years from the date on the packaging.
Safescraper
How much material can the Safescraper® reservoir hold?
The reservoir has a capacity of 2-3 cc. Depending on the removal site, the amount of bone harvested may be used in all bone regenerative techniques. The reservoir may be emptied from time to time into a sterile container. The blade lasts longer than normally expected.
Which intra-oral sites would you recommend for bone removal?
Bone can be harvest from different sites of the oral cavity and body. It is often taken very close to the receiving site. The recommended sites are in the mandible, near the external oblique line, in the rising branch (Safescraper® curve) and in the mental symphysis, in the maxilla lateral to the maxillary sinus and in the frontal area.
Can the Safescraper® be reused?
The Safescraper® is a disposable device. To avoid any contamination it must not be reused. The reservoir and blade cannot be cleaned; in addition, the material is not resistant to sterilising temperatures. Before disposal, make sure the reservoir is locked in place in front of the blade (only straight Safescraper®)
What is the shape of the material removed by the Safescraper®?
It is a coiled curl of cortical bone, already mixed with blood, a shape that increases the volume of the specimen, which is ideal for bone regeneration techniques for the curtain effect it offers.
The shape of this cortical curl mixed with blood makes the graft easy to apply, since the clot and curled shape intersect with the shavings so that the specimen can be simply removed with pliers.
Can the cortical bone removed by the Safescraper® be compared with cancellous bone as a grafting material?
The particular shape of the cortical curl makes the graft porous, with large gaps filled with the blood taken during the cutting operations, so the resulting structure has mechanical properties provided by the cortical bone, such as high stress resistance, and a lower resorption rate than spongy bone, but a quick revascularisation.
The cortical bone includes osteo-progenitor cells and BMP precursors from the Haversian canals and periosteal tissues.
In addition, the manual removal of the specimen is less disruptive for the life of the cells than the commonly used intra-oral bone-harvest techniques.
How long does the Safescraper® take to remove a specimen?
The most recommended removal site, for the high amount of bone it provides (4-5 cc), is the external oblique line of the mandible, and the whole surgery, from cutting to suturing, takes approximately 15-20 minutes
How is Safescraper® packaged?
Safescraper® comes in a tube with 3 devices inside. Each device is comes in an individual sterile package with a peelable back. Its sterility in an undamaged package is guaranteed for 3 years.
HeliTape® HeliCote® HeliPlug®
Why are HeliTape® / HeliCote® / HeliPlug® wound dressings used?
HeliPlug®, HeliCote® and HeliTape® wound dressing products are used to help control bleeding, develop blood clots and to protect the wound site in order for the healing process to begin. Heli products are reabsorbed by the body within 10 to 14 days after placement.
How are HeliTape® / HeliCote® / HeliPlug® supplied?
Sterile Absorbable Collagen Wound Dressings for Dental Surgery are supplied individually packaged:
- HeliTape® Collagen Wound Dressing – 1” x 3” (2.5 cm x 7.5 cm) – 10/box
- HeliCote® Collagen Wound Dressing – 3/4” x 1.5” (1.9 cm x 3.8 cm) – 10/box
- HeliPlug® Collagen Wound Dressing – 3/8” x 3/4” (1 cm x 2 cm) – 10/box
What are HeliTape® / HeliCote® / HeliPlug® made of?
The basic material from which the Absorbable Collagen Wound Dressings for Dental Surgery are fabricated is collagen obtained from bovine deep flexor (Achilles) tendon. The tendon is one of the purest sources of collagen that can be readily obtained and processed in commercial quantities
For which indications can I use HeliTape® / HeliCote® / HeliPlug®?
The Absorbable Collagen Wound Dressings for Dental Surgery are indicated for application to moist or bleeding clean oral wounds created during dental surgery, to control bleeding and protect the surface of the wound from further injury. Topical administration of the Absorbable Collagen Wound Dressings directly over the wound effectively controls bleeding usually within two to five minutes.
How do I use HeliTape® / HeliCote® / HeliPlug®?
A sufficiently large Absorbable Collagen Wound Dressing should be selected so as to completely cover the oral wound. The wound should be rinsed clean and excess fluid removed. The dressing should be applied over the wound and held in place with moderate pressure. The period of time necessary to apply pressure will vary with the degree of bleeding. In general, two to five minutes should be sufficient to achieve hemostasis. At the end of the procedure, the Absorbable Collagen Wound Dressing can be removed, replaced or left in situ. If desired, the Absorbable Collagen Wound Dressing can be covered with a periodontal packing to help hold the sponge in place. The Absorbable Collagen Wound Dressing may be left in situ, when necessary. However, the dentist should remove any excess dressing prior to wound closure.