Platelet Rich Plasma
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a by-product of blood (plasma) that is rich in platelets. Until now, its use has been confined to the hospital setting. This was due mainly to the cost of separating the platelets from the blood and the large amount of blood needed to produce a suitable quantity of platelets. New technology permits doctors to harvest and produce a sufficient quantity of platelets from only 55 cc of blood, which is 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 growth factors; platelet derived growth factors (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF), and insulin-like growth factor (ILGF), 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 are stimulated to produce new tissue. Thus, PRP permits the body to heal faster and more efficiently.
A subfamily of TGF, is bone morphogenic protein (BMP). BMP has been shown to induce the formation of new bone in research studies in both animals and humans. This is of great significance to the surgeon who places dental implants. By adding PRP, and BMP, to the implant site with bone substitute particles, the implant surgeon can now grow bone more predictably and faster than ever before.
PRP Has Many Clinical Applications
PRP can be used to aid bone grafting for dental implants. This includes onlay and inlay grafts, sinus lift procedures, ridge augmentation procedures, closure of cleft and/or lip, and palate defects. It can also assist in repair of bone defects created by removal of teeth, or small cysts and 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 the doctor’s office while the patient is undergoing an outpatient surgical procedure such as the placement of dental implants.
- Faster healing: The supersaturation of the wound with PRP, and thus growth factors, produces an increase of tissue synthesis and faster tissue regeneration.
- Cost effectiveness: Since PRP harvesting is done with only 55 cc of blood in the doctor’s office, the patient need not incur the expense of the harvesting procedure in hospital or at a 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
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 15 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, in the majority of cases, application of PRP to the bone 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. The cost of the PRP application (approximately $400) is paid by the patient.
Can PRP be used alone to stimulate bone formation? No. PRP must be mixed with either the patient’s own bone, a bone substitute material such as demineralized freeze-dried bone, or a synthetic bone product, such as BIO-OSS.
Are there any contraindications to PRP? Very few. Obviously, patients with bleeding disorders or hematologic diseases do not qualify for this in-office procedure. Check with your surgeon and/or primary care physician to determine if PRP is right for you.
Great Oak Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Farren is very pleasant to deal with, answers questions fully, explains procedures and is very skillful administering local anesthetic, as well as performing surgical procedures. All the staff are friendly and help put patients at ease. The whole experience is professional, but also friendly and reassuring.
- Nancy H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Farren and his staff: Hillary, Anna, Adriana and front desk girls were amazing in all aspects in my treatment. Like I wrote above exceed my expectations. Great work, extraordinary care! Thank you very much!
- Yaroslav T
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Easy painless procedure and very friendly staff.
- Jenn L
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Super nice and comforting staff, overall great experience.
- Morgan M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Thank you Dr. Farren and Staff! You really took care of me. You are talented, compassionate, understanding and caring. I had two other dental implant consultations before choosing Great Oak. I definitely made the right decision! Thirty years of serious dental issues is behind me now thanks to you all, I have and will recommend you to everyone who has dental/facial issues.
- Vickie L
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I recently had a wisdom tooth extraction by Dr. Farren and my overall experience was phenomenal. From the time you walk into the door, you’re greeted with a smile from every single staff member you encounter. Every appointment I had, there was no wait, all my questions were answered and I felt comfortable. Every staff member was personable and professional and put me at ease along the way. Thank you to everyone who participated in my care! You all are amazing! I would recommend Dr. Farren for your next wisdom tooth extraction!
- Chelsea M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My family and I had met with a couple oral surgeons in the area when my son’s orthodontist told us my son would need to get his one tooth extracted. Being my son is 9 and this is his first experience with surgery I especially wanted someone who both my son and I felt comfortable with. After not getting a good vibe from the other surgeons, we scheduled a consultation with Dr. Farren. The minute we left his office, both my son and I knew he was the right man for the job. Dr. Farren and his staff are beyond amazing. They are so sweet and friendly and were so caring and kind to my son (especially McKenzie and Hillary-THANK YOU!!!) . Their “bedside” manner and the way they helped him feel at ease the day of his surgery helped to make an unpleasant situation more enjoyable, or as enjoyable as oral surgery can be! I cannot say enough good things about the team at Great Oaks and will refer them to anyone needing an oral surgeon. I would especially recommend them to parents of younger children. Being 9 he is inquisitive and wants to ask all the questions and know all the things. Dr. Farren and his staff were fantastic and were able to provide him with details and information about his procedure without adding to his nervousness. Thank you for everything Great Oaks! We appreciate you!.
- Sarah C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came to Dr. Farren after an accident in which I sustained a good amount of facial trauma. I lost 2 teeth and needed 3 more extracted. Dr. Farren performed 2 bone grafts on my jaw followed by 3 implants. His work is impeccable and I am so glad that he was recommended to me. I hope I never have to see him again, but he is the best oral surgeon I could have hoped for. The team at Great Oaks Oral Surgery were always professional, accommodating and truly made me feel at home and comfortable. Thank you all for the amazing work you did for me.
- Ian D
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Had major procedure with extremely easy recovery. Pain was short-lived and at a minimum. Super friendly staff all around!
- Steve D
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My experience with Dr. Farren and his staff was wonderful. I was nervous going into the office, but they calmed my nerves and performed a totally painless extraction. Dr Farren clearly and calmly explained everything he was doing as the procedure was performed and made sure I was aware of expectations and procedures post surgery. In the quiet time, while waiting to leave, Adriana was fun to talk to, keeping me upbeat. All I can say is Dr Farren and staff are the best. I totally wasted a worry!
- Diane H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
This Dr’s kindness and compassion and professional skill level is reflected by all the professionals he employs in his practice. It is a blessing to have him and his whole team providing such a wonderful service to all those in his care.
- Beverly D
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
This was my first experience with having an implant and from what I heard from family and friends I was not looking forward to having it done but I knew I needed it. Dr. Fallen and everyone in his office explained everything in the process in terms that I could understand. Everyone in Dr. Fallen's office was friendly but more importantly professional. During the whole procedure Dr. Fallen explained everything he was doing and made sure I was not in pain. I would recommend Dr. Fallen and his office to anyone who is considering or has decided to get an implant.
- Richard O
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very pleased with visits. Everything went well, thanks to the expertise of staff and Doctor.
- Raymond S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had the most epic experience in this class act office. Dr Farrens nurse McKenzie is phenomenal!
- Cerrone
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My entire experience with Great Oaks was as pleasurable as dental surgery could be. Any anxiety was alleviated by the performance of all the staff, from the front office to the surgical assistants to Dr. warren himself.
- James P
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was just a guest to the office as a ride for my girlfriend twice as she had extractions, bone grafting, and then 2 dental implants. The office is very comfortable and nicely decorated. The staff is very welcoming and friendly, and immediately put my girlfriend right at ease. I like the coffee there. My girlfriend came out in a very reasonable time in very good spirits both times. She says both times she was asking when procedures would start to only find out she had just woke up and they were already done. She says both times healing and everything that she had no pain at all. My girlfriend raves about the Doctor, Hilary the Surgical Assistant, the lady that starts the iv’s, and Shawn (the lady that answers phones, greets you, and confirms appointments. I liked her very much too. Overall it seems to me they are amazing and based on my girlfriend’s experience I would highly recommend Doctor Farren as a first choice for oral surgery.
- Danielle H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Practically pain free implants, not even an exaggeration. I am actually shocked as to really having no pain since 2 implants 3 days ago. The same for 3 extractions and bone graft in preparation for the implants in January. I had been putting off procedures for years for fear. Doctor Farren and his Surgical assistant Hillary are amazing! Something that had been so dreaded was one of the easiest appointments.
- Jaime G
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Farren is very helpful answering all your questions as well as outlining what to expect during as well as after the procedure. The staff is also very supportive and professional which is important. I would definitely recommend their services.
- Robert S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My son broke his jaw over the weekend and we were able to get in right away. During a tough time the staff made us as comfortable as possible. They answered all of our questions and put us at ease.
- David E
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My dentist referred me to Dr. Farren for dental implants. Dr. Farren and his whole staff were very professional. The ease of scheduling appointments, the pleasant and knowledgeable assistants and Dr. Farrens calming and reassuring demeanor put me at ease and made the whole experience that much easier. I would highly recommend Great Oak oral surgery and dental implant center.
- Dave C