Surgical procedures aren't usually something patients look forward to, frequently due to the length of the recovery period. However, there is a way to speed up the dreaded recovery time.

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a by-product of blood (plasma) that is rich in platelets and quickens the body’s healing process in a safe, natural way.

Once confined to a hospital setting due to expense and the large amount of blood needed (one unit), new technology has allowed Dr. Ramsey Fanous to bring the PRP harvesting process in office, while requiring only 55 cc of blood drawn from the patient while they are having outpatient surgery.

Why All The Excitement About PRP?

PRP permits the body to take advantage of the normal healing pathways at a greatly accelerated rate. During the healing process, the body rushes many cells and cell-types to the wound in order to initiate the healing process. One of those cell types is platelets.

Platelets perform many functions, including formation of a blood clot and release of growth factors (GF) into the wound. These GF function to assist the body in repairing itself by stimulating stem cells to regenerate new tissue. The more growth factors released and sequestered into the wound, the more stem cells stimulated to produce new host tissue. PRP permits the body to heal faster and more efficiently.

In addition, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) has been shown to induce the formation of new bone in research studies in animals and humans. This is of great significance for patients receiving dental implants. By adding PRP, and thus BMP, to the implant site with bone substitute particles, bone has the ability to be grown more predictably and faster than ever before.

PRP Has Many Clinical Applications

• Bone grafting for dental implants. (This includes onlay and inlay grafts, sinus lift procedures, ridge augmentation procedures, and closure of cleft lip and palate defects.)

• Repair of bone defects creating by removal of teeth or small cysts.

• Repair of fistulas between the sinus cavity and mouth. 

PRP Also Has Many Advantages

• Safety: PRP is a by-product of the patient's own blood, therefore, disease transmission is not an issue.

• Convenience: PRP can be generated in Dr. Fanous’ office while the patient is undergoing an outpatient surgical procedure, such as placement of dental implants.

• Faster healing: The supersaturation of the wound with PRP, and thus growth factors, produces an increase of tissue synthesis and thus faster tissue regeneration.

• Cost effectiveness: Since PRP harvesting is done with only 55 cc of blood in Dr. Fanous’ office, the patient doesn't have to pay the expense of the harvesting procedure in hospital or at the blood bank. 

• Ease of use: PRP is easy to handle and actually improves the ease of application of bone substitute materials and bone grafting products by making them more gel-like.

Frequently Asked Questions About PRP

Q: Is PRP safe?
A: Yes. During the outpatient surgical procedure a small amount of your own blood is drawn out via the IV. This blood is then placed in the PRP centrifuge machine and spun down. In less than 15 minutes, the PRP is formed and ready to use. 

Q: Should PRP be used in all bone-grafting cases?
A: Not always. In some cases, there is no need for PRP. However, in the majority of cases, application of PRP to the graft will increase the final amount of bone present in addition to making the wound heal faster and more efficiently.

Q: Will my insurance cover the costs?
A: No, the cost of the PRP application (approximately $400) is paid by the patient. 

Q: Are there any contraindications to PRP?
A: Very few. Obviously, patients with bleeding disorders or hematologic diseases do not qualify for this in-office procedure. Check with Dr. Fanous to determine if PRP is right for you. 

If you would like to know more about PRP and speeding up your recovery process, call Dr. Fanous at 972-471-9596 to arrange an appointment or visit the website at www.texasoralsurgerygroup.com.

Texas Oral Surgery Group
Plano, Allen, Denton, Decatur, Gainesville, Texas

972-471-9596
www.texasoralsurgerygroup.com