The use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) following tooth removal appears to speed healing and bone formation, according to a new study.
When a tooth is removed, poor healing can lead to excessive bone loss in the jaw that can delay tooth replacement, require costly reconstructive surgery, or even be impossible to fix. In the study, radiography techniques were used to detect bone changes after surgery to remove molars – specifically, the bilateral mandibular third molar. For each patient, one extraction site was treated with PRP and the site on the other side of the mouth was not, serving as the control. Three patients received PRP on the right side and three on the left.
The patients returned after the operation for evaluations and digital radiographs at three days plus weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24. Observers checked them visually to evaluate the extraction sites' tissue opening, bleeding, inflammation, facial oedema, and pain. The early radiographs found a significant increase in bone density in the PRP-treated sites.
According to the authors, the PRP treatment had a positive effect on bone density immediately following tooth extraction, while the control site had a decrease in bone density during the first week after surgery. After the initial two weeks, both sites had relatively parallel increases in bone density. Patients did not report significant differences in their perception of pain, bleeding, numbness, facial oedema or temperature between the different sites.
The article's authors suggest that faster bone formation could benefit patients who need immediate prostheses or dental implants, because the current four to six month wait for these could be reduced to two to four months if PRP is used. 'Platelet rich plasma to facilitate wound healing following tooth extraction appeared in the
