Faster Healing with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Sound confusing? Even scary? Don't worry - it's really quite easy to understand and accomplish.
For years, Dr. Miller has been concerned about the way people heal after implant surgery and has searched for a way to help his dental implant patients heal faster with reduced bleeding and bruising, less swelling and faster bone growth around the implants. Although the use of PRP has been used for over a decade in cardiovascular and plastic and reconstructive surgery, it's use in dentistry has been relatively unknown. Dr. Miller is now one of the few implant dentists in the United States to use PRP for his patients.
So what is platelet rich plasma? A small amount of your own blood is drawn at the time of dental implant placement and treated to concentrate the platelets which contain huge amounts of growth and wound healing factors. Because the PRP is derived from your own blood, it's totally safe and free from the risk of disease transmission.
To make the platelet rich plasma, Dr. Miller will draw about 1 1/2 oz. of your blood and place it in a specialized centrifuge to separate the red blood cells from the plasma. The plasma is then centrifuged again to concentrate the platelets containing the natural growth factor. Platelets are cells that help blood to clot and also contain large resevoirs of growth factor which is necessary to begin tissue repair and regeneration. Growth factor stimulates connective tissue healing, bone regeneration, promotes development of new blood vessels and stimulates wound healing.
During the surgical procedure Dr. Miller will apply the PRP to the surgical area to help you heal faster with fewer post-procedure problems.