Understanding the Use of Platelet Rich Plasma in Dentistry

If you’re discussing an impending procedure with your dentist, they might reference platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy as part of the treatment. Platelet-rich plasma therapy promotes fast and effective healing of hard and soft tissues in the mouth. In fact, the therapy has proven so effective that it is quickly becoming a standard of care with tooth extractions, implants, and other dental procedures. Island Tower Dentistry is pleased to now offer this rapid-healing therapy to its Marco Island-area patients.

PRP Mechanism of Action

When your body is injured or undergoes a surgical or dental procedure, it naturally floods the area involved with platelets and other growth factors found in the blood. Also known as “thrombocytes,” platelets help the blood form clots and promote the healing of damaged tissues. The normal range of platelets in the blood ranges from 150,000 to 350,000 per liter. Platelet-rich plasma has been processed to contain concentrations of up to one million per liter, with the higher levels producing quicker healing of damaged tissue, with a subsequent overall faster healing time and reduction in discomfort at the site.

Benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma in Dentistry

PRP can be injected as a serum formulation into the gum or other location involved with a dental procedure or can be made into a paste for direct application to a site, such as the pocket formed by a tooth extraction. In both cases, the PRP begins to immediately work with the body’s natural healing process. The numerous benefits of PRP include:

• Stimulates cell growth and cell division
• Boosts messaging between cells
• Breaks down and uses proteins for healing
• Helps build connective tissues
• Attracts cells and specialized proteins to the treatment site that help form hard tissues like bones
• Enhances the creation of new blood vessels and cells
• Reduced inflammation and lowered risk of infection
• Less need for antibiotics and painkillers

Your body does most of this naturally, but the boost in platelet numbers allows your body to do it that much more efficiently. In short, PRP results in faster and more effective treatment from implant work, extractions, and other dental procedures. For example, after an extraction, PRP helps quickly heal the gum area involved and also encourages the build-up of more bone where the tooth was removed. This, in turn, makes the area a more solid foundation for a new implant. When used again with the implant, the PRP encourages even more rapid gum and bone growth, which provides an excellent holding structure for the new implant.

PRP, it should be noted, is especially effective for senior patients, as their bodies’ natural healing processes are typically less efficient and slower than younger patients.

PRP is Produced From Your Own Blood  

When you opt for PRP therapy with your dental procedure, your dentist will source the PRP from your own blood drawn from your body prior to the procedure. The PRP is enriched via an FDA-approved centrifugation device while you’re being prepped for your procedure. Processed into either a serum or paste, it’s ready for use to conclude your procedure. 

Learn More at Island Tower Dentistry

If you would like to learn more about how platelet-rich plasma therapy can enhance your dental procedure, Dr. Jonathan Van Dyke would be glad to discuss it with you during a pre-procedure consultation. To book your appointment, contact Island Tower Dentistry today at 239-394-1004.