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 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.
Cascadia Oral Surgery
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Everyone has been very nice and answered all questions I had. Would definitely come back and recommend to friends.
- Misty K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Comfortable with service.
- Robert P
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Show me your friends, I'll show you who you are! Show me your staff and I'll show you what type of doctor you are! What a great staff. From the front office to the back they are so caring, friendly and professional. After many years and a terrible past experience with implants, I have finally found a place that not only cares about their patients but they are cutting edge and well educated at what they do. Dr.Wang you have been amazing. You have done what others couldn't and I'm so greatfull for you and your entire staff. Your front staff was caring and understanding answering all of questions and the galls in the back are so gentle and really know their stuff.
- Sharon H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr.Gaal is the best and most awesome dentist ever! Gentle, kind, genuine, funny, and comfortable to be around, he put me at ease immediately, telling me exactly what he planned to do; and, told me step by step, as he was doing the actual surgery, every detail. I am almost 70 years old and grew up on candy bars and soda pop, so believe me when I say my lifetime- dental-experience is vast and profound. Heather and Tamara are highly skilled in assisting Dr.Gaal, both compassionate and professional. I was a little overwhelmed by having to fill out the registration ahead of time on-line, but it was easy. I was somewhat apprehensive about the drive from Snohomish to Kirkland, but it was only a half hour away, and the directions were very clear and easy! (Bonus: Hot coffee on my arrival.). Finally, I got to see my x-rays, and, I got to keep the tooth that was extracted. By the way, I not only had the tooth pulled, but I had horizontal and vertical bone grafting and a sinus lift! My overall experience was very positive.
- Denise C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
DOCTOR WANG MADE MY TOOTH EXTRACTION QUICK AND EASY HE WAS JUST GREAT. ALSO HIS STAFF WAS THE SAME.
- IVAN W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My name is Mikhail and I had several implants put in by Dr. Patrick Wang. Just wanted to share my experience and say it went very well. I usually hate going to the dentist and it’s been a few years.. my previous dentist just kept pulling teeth without any replacements. When I met Dr. Wang he was able to give me an option of placing some implants so I can smile and most importantly eat again:) He is a professional and good at what he does. He did a good job explaining thjngs to me and made me feel comfortable! I highly recommend seeing him if you have any implants to do or any teeth to be pulled! Overall, very great doctor! Меня зовут Михаил. и Dr. Patrick Wang вставил мне несколько имплант. Я хотел бы поделиться и сказать что все прошло успешно. Я обычно не люблю ходить к дантистам, так как прежний дантист только вырывал зубы. Когда я встретил Dr. Wang, он посоветовал сделать импланты чтобы я смог снова улыбаться и самое главное есть:) Он профессионал и знает что он делает. Он мне хорошо объяснил процесс и я чувствовал себя удобно. Очень рекомендую обратиться к нему если вам нужно сделать импланты или вырвать зубы. Замечательный доктор!
- mikhail k
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr Patrick Wang and his Staff our great. Made my visit comforting and very painless considering the operation! I am very pleased with the results!
- Mark H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Super easy to set up an appointment. The office was clean and they have a super cool high tech X-Ray Scanner. Would definitely recommend.
- Emanuel M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I have had an absolute phobia of dentists since 9 yrs old. It ended today with the absolute best experience in a dentist office. Dr. Amini was informative, caring, and a blessing (including the assistants). The office staff were professional and wonderfully helpful. Any dental work from now on is going to be done at Cascadia. Thank you so much.
- Jason W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very professional and superb surgery. Not in pain at all after the surgery. Pain went away just in 2 days which I didnt even expect. I would definitely recommend this facility and Doctors for anybody. DR. RAMTIN AMINI was my doctor and just awesome.
- Ashis K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The doc and his staff were the best one could hope for. Of course its not "fun" dealing with this kind of medical work but these folks were sufficiently competent that at least there was no stress involved with confusion, surprises or excessive pain. The doc was quite sensitive to pain and worked with me very well. In days past I have not always been so fortunate when dealing with dental procedures. I give this staff my highest rating.
- Ronald K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Thank you to Dr. Amini and his staff.
- Marylouise T
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The office atmosphere was nice and quiet. Dr. Amini and staff were courteous and professional. The bleeding stopped in a few hours and I had no pains even after novocaine worn off. It's been 10 days since, and I have no problems. I would definitely recommend them to all my friends who are somewhat afraid of tooth extractions. I have two more teeth for extractions, and I will visit Dr. Aminiin in a few month.
- Masahiko S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I am quite impressed by the high standard work and professionalism carried out by Dr. Amini.
- Rad
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was always afraid of having dental work done in my life, so when the family dentist indicated that my son had two really crooked wisdom teeth that needed to be extracted, it put tremendous stress on me. We ended up decide to have all his wisdom teeth taken cared of at the same time. I waited nervously in the lobby, amazinly the procedure was all done in twenty-something minutes, then we went on to having lunch. Dr. Patrick Wang made it seem to be so unbelievably easy.
- Sean S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Patrick was extremely helpful and friendly throughout the entire process. He operates with the utmost professionalism and expertise, and he was very calm and collected throughout the procedure. This was my first time under general anesthesia and he was able to put me at ease. I would highly recommend anyone to see Dr. Wang for any work needed.
- Ben S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr Wang was very good about explaining the procedure and the post op care. He is very friendly.
- Julie N
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Wang is by far the best oral surgeon I know. I had a difficult impacted tooth that was to be extracted. Dr. Wang did such a amazing job taking it out. He has great smell and expertise. CHe made sure I was comfortable through out the procedure, had minimal discomfort throughout and after procedure. Dr. Wang and Galina were very nice and patient with me and also followed up to make sure I was doing ok. I highly recommend Dr. Wang and team.
- Maya V
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had a wisdom teeth sugery done by Dr. Ramtin Amini and I was very pleased with my overall experience. He was very professional and went over the procedure with me. The surgery was quick and painless. I will definatly recommend him.
- Nika vaghefi
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Amini payed attention to everything I said and gave me the most beatiful implants I could have asked for. Thank you!
- Rose M