What is platelet-rich plasma?
Plasma is the liquid part of blood that is made up of mostly water and protein. It allows red and white blood cells to move throughout your bloodstream. Platelets are a type of blood cell that make your blood clot, and play an important role in healing. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is taken from a patient’s own blood and injected into injured or diseased tissue to promote faster healing by stimulating and increasing the growth of reparative cells that your own body produces. This high concentration of platelets is useful in producing cells that are critical to rebuilding tissue and bone. It also provides significantly increased vascularity in healing tissue.
PRP injections have been used for over twenty years in a variety of surgical scenarios. Recently, they have shown to be effective in speeding up healing after oral and maxillofacial procedures. There is also evidence of platelet-rich plasma therapy aiding in periodontal regenerative therapy. The injections can be used in a wide range of procedures, including onlay and inlay grafts, sinus lift procedures, ridge augmentation procedures, and in cleft, lip, and palate surgeries.
PRP can also be used after tooth extractions or cysts removal to repair bone defects. In bone grafting procedures, PRP therapy has improved patient outcomes. Dental patients who have received PRP injections report less pain immediately after surgery.
Most patients who undergo a dental procedure are good candidates for PRP therapy. It has been used in a wide variety of oral and maxillofacial procedures, from simple tooth extractions to more complicated bone grafts. Because the PRP is produced from the patient’s own blood, there are few risks or side effects of PRP use, however it is possible to experience pain, irritation, or bleeding at the injection site.
Most people can resume normal activities immediately after having a PRP injection. You are not a good candidate for PRP if you have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia. Your healthcare provider can help you determine if you are a good candidate for PRP therapy.
What is the process for PRP use?
The process for using PRP is simple, and begins in our office at Cosmetic Laser Dentistry right before your procedure. Dr. Maher Albouz will draw a small amount of your blood, about 55cc. Then your blood will be placed in a centrifuge machine to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of your blood. Typically, your blood will be spun two to three times to achieve the best results. Once the PRP is isolated from the rest of the blood, Dr. Maher Albouz will collect it and apply it to the appropriate areas, either via a thick application directly to a wound, or via injection into tissue or bone. If you are awake for the procedure, Dr. Maher Albouz will likely numb the area prior to injection. In some surgical settings, Dr. Maher Albouz will use an ultrasound machine to ensure they’re injecting the right area. A PRP procedure typically takes about 30 minutes. Most patients experience little to no downtime after their PRP procedure.
