Platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP therapy, began gaining popularity in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery during the 1990s. Now, dentists recognize the benefits of PRP therapy when used in conjunction with dental implant placement surgery or tooth extractions.
But what is PRP, and how does it work? Here's what you should know.
What Is PRP?
PRP accelerates the body's natural healing process using a high concentration of platelets taken from the patient's own blood. These platelets help rebuild tissue and bone, both of which are impacted during implant placement surgery and tooth extraction. Studies have shown that platelets initiate the healing process at a much faster rate than when the body heals on its own.
How the Process Works: Step-by-Step Process
Here's what to expect when our dentists use PRP during a procedure:
- Drawing blood — We draw a small amount of blood to use for your procedure.
- Using the centrifuge — Our dentists use a centrifuge to rapidly spin blood drawn from your body. This results in a high concentration of platelets that, when isolated, contain three to five times more growth factors than you would find in normal blood.
- Application — We apply the highly concentrated plasma to the wound, so it receives the healing benefits PRP provides.
The process requires only a small amount of blood, which our dentists can easily draw at our clinic, reducing the procedure's cost.
How PRP Helps
PRP is a simple and cost-effective procedure proven to reduce patient discomfort and accelerate healing. This is especially helpful for older patients, who may have a longer, more difficult time healing, which can sometimes result in irreparable bone loss.
Faster healing can also reduce wait times for patients awaiting prosthetic appliances such as dentures or dental implants. It also reduces the risk of the patient developing an infection or other post-surgery complications.
Clinical Uses and Benefits of PRP
PRP offers several advantages for our patients and dentists, such as:
- Faster recovery time — PRP accelerates bone growth and tissue repair.
- Biocompatibility — Since PRP uses your own blood, there's no worry about allergic reaction or transmitting disease.
- Minimizes complications — PRP seals the wound, which protects against infection.
- Reduces discomfort — PRP helps to reduce inflammation and pain after oral surgery.
Specific Procedures We Combine With PRP/PRF - add a little how the PRP treatment is applied for each service.
- Wisdom Teeth and Tooth Extractions
- Dental Implant Placement and Ridge Augmentation
- Sinus Lift Surgery before implants
- Periodontal (Gum) Tissue Regeneration
Applying PRP directly to the treatment site reduces the risk of dry socket after tooth extraction and aids healing after implant placement and sinus lift surgeries. It also promotes tissue regeneration as part of gum treatment in periodontal disease.
The Benefits of PRP
PRP offers several advantages for our patients and dentists, such as:
- Faster recovery time — PRP accelerates bone growth and tissue repair.
- Biocompatibility — Since PRP uses your own blood, there's no worry about allergic reaction or transmitting disease.
- Minimizes complications — PRP seals the wound, which protects against infection.
- Reduces discomfort — PRP helps to reduce inflammation and pain after oral surgery.
Contact Alta Dental Studio
Your trusted dentist in Vancouver, BC, strives to provide you with leading-edge technology, such as PRP therapy, to make your experience at our dental clinic more comfortable and efficient. If you're interested in learning more about PRP therapy, we encourage you to contact Alta Dental Studio at (236) 304-4913.