Introduction:
PRP or platelet-rich plasma was first introduced into the oral and maxillofacial surgery field by Reverend Whitman et al. in the year 1997. PRP is a novel element in the field of regenerative medicine and dentistry that contains concentrated plasma infusion with multiple growth factors that hold the potency to influence tissue regeneration and wound healing in the oral cavity. PRP is now used in modern-day regenerative dentistry for implant placement and for the reconstructive surgery of major mandibular (lower jaw) defects. Dentists and oral implant specialists or maxillofacial surgeons alike have noticed quite significant improvements in the local conditions of the targeted areas in the mouth or oral cavity post the application of PRP. Current evidence and scientific research hold promising potential and efficacy in the role of PRP in accelerating tissue healing in the mouth.
What Is the Rationale of PRP Use?
The main rationale behind why it may be effective is because it gives scope for very minimum post-operative complications after any oral surgical procedure. This would be mainly attributed to the high concentration of growth factors contained in PRP. These factors are released in the dental alveolar socket immediately after tooth extraction. These factors eventually increase tissue regeneration and then prevent the common occurrence of local complications associated with impacted or infected tooth extractions.
Soft tissue healing is widely recognized to be significantly enhanced after the utilization of PRP, as supported by current dental studies. This is because PRP not only boosts collagen levels but also stimulates the process of angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) or accelerates early wound healing.
What Are the Applications of PRP in Dentistry?
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Periodontal Surgery: However, in periodontal surgery and periodontal regenerative procedures, the use of PRP may hold controversial outcomes. Currently, it still holds promising future potential in the regeneration of bony defects. The use of PRP along with specific soft tissue design, with certain graft materials and clinical parameters has widespread established success by periodontists in current-day dentistry. PRP is an autologous graft and relatively easy to prepare from the patient's blood in the dental clinic. The use of PRP has opened wide and new promising avenues in the regenerative field of medicine and dentistry because of its efficacy in tissue repair and oral tissue regeneration in the fields of periodontal regeneration it can be used for the treatment of intra-bony defects or in the regenerative procedures related to periodontal defects, PRP can be effectively used as an adjunct to most autologous or allograft treatments for intra-bony defects.
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Oral Maxillofacial Surgery: PRP in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery mainly serves as a vehicle for the release of essential source growth factors. This autologous plasma preparation with its concentrated platelets has been the exclusive focus of investigation for oral surgery researchers for more than a decade. The current conclusion scientifically in the surgery field is that PRP with its potent application as a " bioactive scaffold " can be utilized in versatile ways for cell‐based therapies and in tissue engineering.
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Facial Reconstruction Surgery: In facial reconstruction surgery and regeneration of severe orofacial defects, Many studies have established that the efficacy of PRP is excellent in comparison to other traditional treatment modalities (for treating different oral disorders or maladies). PRP can be added to most graft materials including the autologous bone graft, freeze‐dried bone allograft, or the deproteinized bovine bone mineral for the application of the sinus‐floor augmentation. Sinus floor augmentation is an important and mandatory step for many dental patients before dental implantation.
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Implant Dentistry: The potential benefits of PRP in implant dentistry are evident in current dental research. It has been found that the local application of PRP can accelerate the healing of soft tissues and promote the regeneration of hard tissues near the dental implant site. This discovery has significant implications for routine implant surgery, as it can enhance the overall success and effectiveness of the procedure. Ongoing research studies are being conducted to further explore the potential of PRP and develop standardized protocols for its application in implant dentistry. These studies aim to establish the optimal use of PRP in order to maximize its potency and benefits in this specific field. Clinical researchers have already recommended the use of PRP prior to dental implantation to improve the osseointegration (fusion of the implant with the surrounding bone) of dental implants. Additionally, PRP can be used in conjunction with dental implant procedures to enhance the rate, viability, and quality of bone regeneration at the implant site.
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Endodontic Dentistry: Autologous PRP is currently the trending and most widely used element noted for its novel contribution to several branches of dentistry. This is because of the potential ability of platelet concentrate to release the abundant or rich source of growth factors that heal and promote stem cell multiplication and differentiation. Recent research studies show that PRP can be used in endodontic regeneration and treatment. PRP has recently emerged as a potential tool for promoting cell growth and differentiating vital tissues during the post-disinfection phase of root canal treatment. Consequently, its application in enhancing endodontic regeneration shows promising outcomes shortly. Within the field of endodontics or root canal therapies, the minimally invasive approach of utilizing revascularizing PRP allows dentists to effectively manage permanent teeth with a poor prognosis, without compromising their integrity or structure. There is also potential for the use of PRP in regenerative endodontics, specifically in procedures such as pulpotomy (partial removal of infected pulp), apical surgery (removal of infection from root apex), and apexification (closing of immature apex).
Conclusion:
PRP is being increasingly utilized in dental regeneration within regenerative dentistry and medicine. The procedure is gaining popularity as a reliable method for achieving successful outcomes in oral surgical, periodontal, and endodontic procedures. Scientifically proven, PRP has shown its effectiveness in promoting cell repair, serving as a biological scaffold, enhancing cell health, speeding up wound healing, and ultimately facilitating tissue or alveolar bone regeneration.
