Platelet Rich Plasma

The use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been found to accelerate the wound healing in the fields of oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic surgery, and plastic surgery.  Blood is drawn from the patient during surgery and processed into a substance that is rich in platelets.  Platelets are important in the formation of blood clots, and they also contain many growth factors that stimulate bone and soft tissue healing.  Indiana Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates can offer this in the office as well as the hospital setting.

PRP has many clinical applications:

• Bone grafting for dental implants. This includes sinus lift procedures, ridge augmentation procedures, and onlay and inlay grafts.
• Repair of bone defects creating by removal of teeth or tumors
• Repair of fistulas between the sinus cavity and mouth
• Closure of cleft lip and palate defects

Frequently asked questions about PRP:

Is PRP safe?  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 fifteen minutes, the PRP is formed and ready to use.

Should PRP be used in all bone-grafting cases? Not always. In some cases, there is no need for PRP. However, 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.

Will my insurance cover the costs? Unfortunately not. Patients pay the cost of the PRP application, which is approximately $400.00.

Can PRP be used alone to stimulate bone formation? No. PRP must be mixed with either the patient’s own bone, or donated bone.

Are there any contraindications to PRP? Very few:  Patients with bleeding disorders or hematologic diseases do not qualify for this in-office procedure. Check with your surgeon to determine if PRP is right for you.