Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin | Chantilly VA

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is what the name implies. It is a by-product of plasma (blood), which has a large number of platelets. Until recently, PRP was primarily used in hospital environments and expensive cosmetic procedures.   This is because the cost of segregating the platelets or platelet-rich plasma from the blood can be considerable. Also, large quantities of blood were required to produce an appropriate amount of PRP given the available process and technology.

However, with new technology, doctors can produce and harvest a sufficient amount of platelet-rich plasma from only about 55 ccs of blood that is withdrawn from the patient when they have outpatient surgery. Your blood contains natural growth factors, which promote the process of healing. The doctors can now extract these growth factors from your blood sample and apply it directly to the site of surgery. This accelerates the process of healing cost-effectively and naturally. 

Why PRP or PRF is Important in Oral Surgery?

PRP allows your body to use its normal pathways of healing at a highly faster pace. During the process of healing, your body moves many different types of cells to the surgical wound to begin the process of healing. Platelets are one of these cell types that the body moves to the site of healing. There are many functions that platelets perform, such as releasing growth factors or GFs in the wound and forming a clot of blood.

The function of these growth factors (growth factors derived from platelets-PGDF, insulin-like growth factor-ILGF, and transforming growth factor-beta-TGF) is to assist your body in healing and to repair itself.  It also serves to heal the wound by stimulating the stem cells of the body to produce new tissue. Hence, the more the platelets release the growth factors and sequester them in the wound or the healing site, the more the stem cells get stimulated to regenerate new cells and tissue. Thus, you can easily witness that PRP permits your body to repair and heal quickly and more effectively.

Bone morphogenic protein or BMP is a subfamily of transforming growth factors. Research studies on both humans and animals evidence  BMP triggering the development of new bone. This phenomenon is very significant to a surgeon placing dental implants. They can add BMP (by adding PRP) to the site of the implant with bone substitute ingredients and can grow new bone more quickly and predictably than previously. 

What are the clinical applications of PRP/PRF?

RECENT STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THE NEAR ELIMINATION OF DRY SOCKET AFTER WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL WITH THE USE OF PRP.
  • Oral surgeons can use PRP while doing grafting of bone for teeth implants. The different procedures for which surgeons can use PRP include inlay and onlay grafts, ridge augmentation procedure, and sinus lift procedure.
  • PRP can be used during closure and repair of cleft palate and lip defects.
  • A dental surgeon can also use PRP for repairing bone defects caused due to the removal of small cysts or teeth.
  • They can also use PRP for repairing fistulas that develop between the mouth and your sinus cavity.
  • Using platelet-rich plasma is safe as PRP is a by-product of your blood; hence, there is a very negligible risk of transmission of disease.
  • Using platelet-rich plasma is convenient. It can be produced in the office of your doctor while you are having a surgical procedure on an outpatient basis, for instance, placement of teeth implants. It takes less than 20 minutes to centrifuge your blood sample for the creation of PRP.
  • Using platelet-rich plasma helps in faster and quicker healing of surgical wounds. When the surgeon saturates the surgical wound with PRP and, hence, growth factors, there is an increase in synthesis and regeneration of new tissue. Therefore, the use of platelet-rich plasma accelerates the process of healing for a wide variety of oral and dental surgical procedures.
  • The process of deriving platelet-rich plasma is, in recent times, has become cost-effective. The harvesting of PRP is done in the office of your doctor and requires a small amount of blood (55 cc of your blood).
  • PRP is easy to use and handle. It even improves the use of bone grafting ingredients and bone substitute materials during surgery by making these products gel-like.
  • It offers an efficient and natural method for patients undergoing surgery by helping in healing and tissue regeneration by way of natural agents and factors present in their bodies.
Is PRP or PRF safe?
Yes, Platelet-rich-plasma and platelet-rich fibrin are  safe outpatient procedure during which a small quantity of blood is withdrawn through IV. The blood is centrifuged to form PRP and PRF. 
Will my insurance cover the procedure costs of PRP?

While many insurance companies do not cover the costs of PRP, every situation is different.  We suggest that you speak with your insurance to get a definitive answer.

Can my doctor use PRP alone to stimulate the formation of bone?
No, they must mix PRP with your bone, a synthetic bone product or a bone substitute ingredient.
What are the contraindications to the procedure?
There are very few contraindications to the procedure. Patients suffering from hematologic diseases or bleeding disorders can’t undergo the procedure.

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