Iteki
February 28, 2003, 4:32pm
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While reading the elegibility FAQ at the american red cross blood donation site, I ran across the following. Bolding mine.
Wait 12 months after receiving an organ or tissue transplant from another person. This includes bone and dental powder . If you are taking medications to prevent rejection of the organ or tissue you are not eligible to donate.
What in the name of god is dental powder? Or bone powder for that matter? I am pro donation, and have ticked for “tissues”, but I really would like to know what this is.
“Demineralized bone powder” for dental grafting.
http://www.perioglas.com/graftOpt.html
Your dentist or oral surgeon will recommend the bone grafting material they feel is best for you. It will probably be one of the following commonly used options:
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Allograft : Allograft means “from another human” . This is typically highly processed bone powder originating from human cadavers. Allograft contains bone growth proteins that are proven to generate new bone when used as a grafting material. The age and health of the donor, however, can affect rate of bone regeneration for you. Processing and quality control reduces risk of disease transmission or rejection by your immune system.
Also, the American Red Cross speaks.http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/tissue/patient.html
What is allograft bone and where does it come from?
Allograft bone is donated human bone that is surgically implanted to replace or reinforce the patient’s own bone. Just as hearts, livers, and other organs can be transplanted to save lives, bone and a variety of other tissues can be transplanted to enhance patients’ lives. The donor’s next-of-kin makes the final decision to donate bone and tissue in the hope of helping someone else. Some donors have made the choice ahead of time by filling out an organ and tissue donation card, and sharing this decision with their family.
Why do I need allograft bone?
Allograft bone is used for a variety of reasons. For example, periodontal disease deteriorates the gums and the bone that supports your teeth. Allograft bone helps new bone grow in your mouth, preventing the loss of a tooth. Using your own bone (autograft) is sometimes a possibility, but it requires a second surgery. Often the recovery from the second surgery is longer and more painful than the primary surgery. In addition, autograft bone is not always an option for all patients.
Why is my doctor using allograft bone instead of synthetic material?
Allograft bone is the closest material you can get to your own bone. It is a natural material that your body will recognize.
Is the bone safe?
The American Red Cross has been providing bone to periodontists, oral surgeons, and dentists for more than 15 years, and not a single HIV or hepatitis transmission has been documented as a result of using Red Cross tissue. Because of the way our demineralized bone powder is processed, there is less than a 1 in 2.8 billion possibility of an HIV viral transmission.1