JCDA - Canadian Dental Association

The goal of periodontal therapy is to protect and
maintain the patient’s natural dentition over his or
her lifetime for optimal comfort, function and
esthetic appearance. More specifically, after periodontal
regenerative surgery, the aim is to achieve complete wound
healing and regeneration of the periodontal unit. After such
surgery, platelets start to form a stable blood clot, releasing
growth factors that induce and support healing and tissue
formation. A recent innovation in dentistry is the preparation
and use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a
concentrated suspension of the growth factors found in
platelets.
Effects of PRP growth factors
A series of well-orchestrated cell–cell interactions starts
after injury, whereby disruption of the vasculature as a
result of the injury leads to fibrin formation and platelet
aggregation. Platelet-derived growth factor, transforming
growth factor-beta and insulin-like growth factor are some
of the factors that platelets release into the tissues. Basic and
clinical research has focused on the applications of factors
found in PRP, and these studies have yielded promising in
vitro and in vivo results, such as significant improvement in
wound healing and induction of tissue regeneration.
PRP-related studies
PRP is a component of blood in which the platelets are
concentrated in a limited volume of plasma. In vitro and in
664 November 2003, Vol. 69, No. 10
C L I N I C A L P R A C T I C E
Platelet-Rich Plasma:
A Promising Innovation in Dentistry
• Tolga Fikret Tözüm, DDS, PhD •
• Burak Demiralp, DDS, PhD •
A b r i d g e d V e r s i o n
The complete article can be viewed on the eJCDA Web site at: http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-69/issue-10/664.html
© J Can Dent Assoc 2003; 69(10):664
This article has been peer reviewed.
vivo studies have shown that the use of this autologous
concentrate decreases the frequency of intraoperative
and postoperative bleeding at the donor and recipient sites,
facilitates more rapid healing of soft tissues, aids in the
initial stability of grafted tissue at the recipient site, may
promote rapid vascularization of the healing tissue and,
in combination with bone replacement grafts, induces
regeneration.
Preparation of PRP
A variety of companies have developed systems for
preoperative preparation of PRP in the medical or dental
office. The literature assessing PRP systems used in dental
offices is reviewed, and a step-by-step preparation protocol
is given, with details for dental practitioners interested in
PRP applications.
Conclusions
PRP is a new application of tissue engineering and a
developing area for clinicians and researchers. PRP is a
platelet concentrate that influences soft-tissue healing and
enhances bone regeneration. Although the mechanisms
involved are still poorly understood, the ease of its application
in a dental clinic and its outcomes are beneficial and
promising. More studies are needed to provide evidence of
efficacy. Further clinical trials should be undertaken to
determine PRP’s capacity for and impact on wound healing
and regeneration. C
Journal of the Canadian Dental Association