One of the greatest advancements in clinical research was using platelet-rich plasma in Nashville dental offices. These bioactive additives regulate inflammation and increase the speed of the healing process, helping dentists offer better results with lower risks.
With platelet-rich fibrin, the post-surgery recovery period needed for implants can be expedited. But when was this practice first used in dentistry? In this article, we’ll take a journey through the history of platelet-rich plasma now used in our Nashville office.
Used to Foster Healing
Healing is an intricate process that involves cellular organization, chemical signals, and extracellular components that foster tissue repair. Scientists haven't yet reached a complete understanding of this process; however, we do know that platelets play an important role in wound healing.
One of the latest innovations in oral surgery is the use of platelet concentrates to foster healing. Platelet concentrates are concentrated substances of growth factors found in the body’s platelets, which act as bioactives that induce wound healing when applied to a certain area.
Additionally, they protect the surgical site and promote soft tissue repair, and when mixed with bone graft, they may act as a “biological connector”, which favors osseointegration. There are two types of platelet applications: 1) platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and 2) platelet-rich fibrin (PRF):
- Platelet-rich plasma requires more blood to be taken from the patient and contains 2-5 times the platelet concentration found in the body.
- The next generation of platelet concentrates is more sophisticated and is known as platelet-rich fibrin. It provides more healing factors while requiring less platelet grafting. It has ten times the concentration of platelets that the body has.
History Behind Fostering Healing
In the 1970s, platelets’ regenerative potential was discovered. In blood, platelets are the second most abundant corpuscle. They contain growth factors that promote the formation of collagen, cell division, and blood vessels while attracting stem cells to the site of injury.
Whitman and a few other dentists pioneered the use of platelet-rich plasma in dentistry, specifically, oral surgery, back in 1997. They found that PRP enhanced osteoprogenitor cells in the host bone and bone graft.
However, using it also presented some risks. PRP could generate antibodies, and cause coagulopathies with the potential to endanger the patient’s life.
That’s when platelet-rich fibrin was introduced. Choukroun introduced it to dentistry for the first time in 2001 in oral and maxillofacial surgery. PRF is an autologous preparation and has several advantages over PRP, such as being easier to prepare and requiring no chemical blood manipulation, lowering risks.
Learn More About Platelet-Rich Plasma in Nashville
As you can see, platelet-rich plasma has a relatively recent history. However, this procedure has already made its place in dentistry, as it offers incredible benefits that can significantly shorten patients' recovery processes.
This is especially true in procedures like dental implants, where healing times are mandatory between steps before the final placement of a crown or denture. If you’re interested in learning more about PRP or are wondering if you’re a good candidate, reach out!
