Platelet Rich Plasma

There are three major components of our blood. The liquid portion of blood is called plasma. Plasma makes up about 55% of the total volume of blood in our bodies. Approximately 45% of blood is made up of red blood cells. White blood cells and platelets make up less than 1%. A process called centrifugation is used to separate blood into its different parts and create a plasma solution with more concentrated amounts of platelets. Platelet rich plasma has up to 10 times the amount of platelets found in a normal sample of blood. High concentrations of platelets are critical to enhancing recovery. Platelets are best known for their clotting abilities. When you get a small cut these cells bind together to form a clot and stop the bleeding. Platelets also contain a large number of various proteins and growth factors that speed up the healing process.

How Can Platelet Rich Plasma Enhance Healing in Dentistry?

By using a small sample of your own blood we make a solution of platelet rich plasma to be used during your procedure. After the PRP has been created it is applied directly to the surgical site. The growth factors and pro-coagulation properties in PRP assists in hard and soft tissue wound healing and shorten the total recovery time. Reducing recovery time reduces the risk of infection in higher risk patients such as diabetics, smokers, or those with other acute conditions. Visit Dentalville Panorama City in Los Angeles to setup an appointment with our dentist!

Does it Really Work?

Statistically significant evidence has been found showing PRP has improved healing in soft and bone tissue. It has also been found to reduce pain and complications after operations. There are numerous publications that show moderate to strong positive effects of PRP especially in studies of soft/bone tissue, implant, and the BRONJ surgery. A compilation of research on platelet rich plasma in dental and oral surgery can be found here.

Is This a New Procedure?

Although it was introduced more than a decade prior, platelet rich plasma procedures started to gain popularity during the mid 1990's. Since then the procedure has become even more prominent as it becomes more available to the average person. Platelet rich plasma is used across a variety of medical fields from heart surgery to simple ankle sprains. Extensive research has been done on the subject and has yielded conclusive results. We have been using PRP at our practice for over 10 years to help our clients recover faster and experience a more comfortable recovery.

Learn More

The use of platelet rich plasma can seem like a complex procedure but our professional staff are here to help you in any way they can. Using PRP for your dental procedures can reduce recovery time, lower the risk for infection, reduce pain and swelling after procedures, and enhance your overall experience. We will answer any questions and discuss any concerns you may have. Call our office today at (818) 686-5574.