Platelet Rich
Plasma/Fibrin
You may recall reading about platelets in school. Platelets (named for their resemblance to small plates when inactive) are cell fragments that circulate within our blood and help with clotting. When tissues and blood vessels are damaged, the platelets become active and form tentacles that adhere to injury sites to help stop bleeding.
Doctors in hospitals have been using platelets to aid in patient recovery for years. However, the high cost of separating platelets from blood – and the amount of blood required for the process – made it impractical and cost-prohibitive for most dental patients. Thanks to advances in technology, however, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are now able to offer this solution within their own practices.
What is Platelet-Rich Plasma and Platelet-Rich Fibrin?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) are concentrated forms of platelets that have been separated from blood. They contain healing and growth factors that aid in the repair of tissue following common dental procedures such as bone and gum grafting, sinus lifts, ridge augmentations, and bone defects. The use of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Platelet-Rich Fibrin improve the healing times and results for routine dental procedures, which allows patients to return to their normal activities sooner.
A Safe and Convenient Process
The type of platelet solution used depends on a patient’s specific needs and will be determined by your surgeon. At your appointment, a small amount of your blood will be drawn. Platelets to be used during your procedure are then separated from the blood using a centrifuge machine while you are in the office. This saves you time and money since you don’t have to wait (or pay for) platelet preparation at a hospital or blood bank.
During the procedure, the wound is saturated with either PRP or PRF, creating an optimal environment for healing and recovery. And, because platelets are derived from a small quantity of the patient’s own blood, you can rest assured that the procedure is safe.
The process is convenient and safe, with no chance of disease transmission since the platelets are derived from your own blood.
Please contact us at our Fayetteville office to make an appointment or to learn more about our team approach to patient care.