Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

The health care community has learned that combining the use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) with autogenous bone graft materials (bone harvested from a site on your own body) may serve as a means of enhancing the rate and quality of the formation of new bone and the growth and healing of soft tissue in regenerative procedures. Platelet-Rich Plasma is a product of blood drawn from your own body.

Our doctors utilize platelet-rich plasma in the form of Autologous Platelet Concentrate (APC) enriched with growth factors, known as APC+, to promote bone growth and healing when performing certain periodontal and implant surgery procedures. The word "autologous" means from your own body.

If the doctor determines that your healing process will benefit from the use of APC+, approximately 20 to 50 cc (about 1 ½ ounces) of your blood will be drawn at the time of surgery. The blood is placed in a specialized centrifuge which spins and automatically separates the red blood cells from the plasma. The plasma is further centrifuged to concentrate the autologous platelets and your natural growth factors. This process produces the APC+ which is then available for the doctor to use as needed for your surgery. The whole process will take less than 15 minutes, adding no additional time to your surgical procedure.

APC+ produced from your own blood is applied to bone and soft tissue grafts to stabilize the graft material. It is used to help fixate bone grafts and to accelerate bone growth. APC+ is also used to seal wounds and accelerate soft tissue healing.

Platelet-rich plasma and the resulting APC+ are 100% biocompatible and safe because they are from your own body. There is absolutely no risk of infection. And the quick procedure to produce your APC+, performed entirely in our offices by our own doctors, eliminates the need for additional time spent going to the blood bank for pre-donation.

Studies show that APC+ may help to minimize the risk of infection during the healing process and may also reduce swelling, pain and bruising, minimize scarring, hasten wound closure and cosmetically improve incision lines along with enhancing the growth and healing of bone and soft tissue.

If your periodontal surgery or implant procedure can benefit from the use of APC+, our doctors will discuss the treatment with you fully. We would also be happy to answer any questions you may have at any time regarding APC+ or any of the regenerative or implant procedures we perform.