OVERVIEW
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is an important tool in the toolbox of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. This substance encourages bone growth and accelerates the healing process. Once it was too difficult to harvest PRP. Now we can do it in our office using modern technology.
During outpatient surgery, the doctor can use a mere 55cc of the patient’s blood to produce a sufficient quantity for platelets. By saturating the wound with PRP, wounds can heal faster through tissue synthesis and faster tissue regeneration. PRP can be speeds the growth of dental bone, speeding up the time it takes to complete dental implants.
In-office PRP collection is cheaper than using a blood bank. It is safer because the doctor is using the patient’s own blood. There is no concern about person-to-person disease transmission. In the case of bone grafts, the access to a gel-like PRP makes applying bone substitute materials and bone grafting products easier.
PLATELETS AT WORK
Platelets are vital to blood clotting and the release of growth factors that allow the body to repair itself. With access to PRP, our surgeons can prompt the body to produce stem cells and regenerate new tissue.
When it comes to dental implants, the surgeon must promote bonding between the bone and its new metal bracket. Applying PRP to the implant sight, the bone will grow more predictably and faster than before. It stimulates the generation of bone morphogenic proteins.
Bone grafting is often used by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. PRP will help with sinus lift procedures, ridge augmentation, and onlay and inlay grafts. It is beneficial for cleft, lip and palate repairs.
QUESTIONS ABOUT INSURANCE COVERAGE
At present, insurance does not cover this important advance in medical science. The patient may instruct the surgeon to use PRP technology, but this is decided on a patient-by-patient basis.