Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in Medicine and Dentistry: A Comprehensive Overview

April 1, 2025

By Lisa Germain, DDS, MScD

Abstract: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a blood-derived product that contains a high concentration of platelets, growth factors, and other bioactive molecules, which can enhance tissue healing and regeneration. PRP has gained significant attention for its therapeutic applications in both medicine and dentistry due to its ability to accelerate recovery and improve outcomes in a variety of conditions. This article explores the scientific basis of PRP, the preparation process, including the necessary equipment, and its applications in medical and dental practices.

Introduction: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is an autologous preparation, meaning it is derived from a patient’s own blood. By isolating and concentrating platelets—cells involved in clotting and healing—PRP can promote faster tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation. The PRP preparation contains growth factors that stimulate cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and collagen formation. Its application spans across numerous medical and dental fields, including orthopedics, wound healing, dermatology, and dentistry. This article provides an overview of how PRP is prepared, the equipment involved, and how it is utilized in clinical settings.

What is PRP?

PRP refers to plasma—the liquid component of blood—that has been enriched with platelets. Platelets are not only involved in clotting, but they also release numerous growth factors, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These growth factors promote tissue healing and regeneration, making PRP a powerful tool in medicine and dentistry.

To prepare PRP, blood is drawn from the patient, processed to separate and concentrate the platelets, and then reintroduced into the body at the site of injury or surgery to accelerate healing.

PRP Preparation Process and Equipment

The process of preparing PRP involves several key steps and specialized equipment. Understanding the technology used to isolate and concentrate platelets is essential to ensuring the quality and efficacy of PRP.

Blood Collection: The first step in preparing PRP is to draw blood from the patient. Typically, 15–50 milliliters of blood is collected using standard venipuncture (a blood draw from a vein). The blood is collected in special tubes containing an anticoagulant (such as citrate) to prevent clotting during the centrifugation process. This blood collection process is usually performed in a clinic or hospital setting, with trained personnel handling the procedure.

Centrifugation: Once the blood is drawn, it is processed using a centrifuge, a machine that spins the blood at high speeds to separate its components based on their density. The centrifugal force separates the blood into its various components: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets.

  • Red blood cells (RBCs): The heaviest component, which settles at the bottom.
  • Platelet-poor plasma (PPP): The layer above the red blood cells, containing very few platelets.
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): This is the layer of plasma that contains a high concentration of platelets and is located just above the red blood cells.
  • Buffy coat (optional): This layer, containing white blood cells and platelets, can be further processed to increase platelet concentration.

The centrifugation process usually lasts 10-15 minutes and results in three distinct layers. The PRP is carefully collected from the layer that is rich in platelets, while the other components are discarded or used for other purposes.

PRP Concentration: After the initial separation, further processing may be done to concentrate the platelets. Some devices use additional steps to isolate and concentrate the platelets even more, which can increase their effectiveness. Depending on the system used, the concentration of platelets can be anywhere from 3 to 5 times greater than the baseline concentration found in normal blood.

Necessary Equipment:

  • Blood Collection Tubes: Specially designed tubes that contain anticoagulants to prevent clotting during collection.
  • Centrifuge: A laboratory device used to separate the blood components by spinning the blood at high speeds.
  • PRP Kits or Systems: Commercially available kits are designed to optimize the preparation and concentration of PRP. These systems usually include collection tubes, centrifuge adaptors, and specialized filters to isolate and concentrate platelets.
  • Syringes and Needles: For the final collection of PRP and its injection into the treatment area.

Medical Applications of PRP

PRP’s ability to stimulate tissue regeneration and promote healing has led to its use in various medical fields. Its applications are most prominent in orthopedics, dermatology, and wound care.

Orthopedics and Sports Medicine: In orthopedics, PRP has become a widely used treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, including tendon, ligament, and cartilage injuries. It is especially effective for chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis and tendonitis. PRP injections into the affected area help reduce inflammation, promote collagen formation, and accelerate tissue healing (Andia & Maffulli, 2013).

Dermatology: PRP is also used in dermatology for skin rejuvenation, wound healing, and scar reduction. In aesthetic treatments, such as the “vampire facial,” PRP is injected into the skin to stimulate collagen production, reduce wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture (Kraus et al., 2014). Furthermore, PRP has shown promise in treating chronic wounds and burns by accelerating healing (Everts et al., 2006).

Wound Healing: PRP is increasingly used for chronic wound management, particularly in diabetic ulcers and surgical wounds. The high concentration of growth factors in PRP accelerates tissue repair and regeneration by promoting cell proliferation and increasing blood flow to the injured area (Everts et al., 2006).

PRP in Dentistry

In dentistry, PRP is primarily used to enhance tissue regeneration, reduce healing time, and improve the success of dental implants and periodontal treatments.

Periodontal Regeneration: PRP plays a significant role in periodontal therapy, particularly in regenerating periodontal tissues lost due to gum disease. The growth factors in PRP promote the healing of the periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and cementum, leading to improved outcomes in patients with periodontal disease (Meyer et al., 2012).

Bone Grafting and Implantology: In dental implantology, PRP is used to enhance bone healing and accelerate the integration of implants. When bone grafting is required, PRP can increase the rate of bone regeneration and improve the success rates of implants. For example, in cases of insufficient bone volume, PRP is used in conjunction with bone grafts to promote healing and ensure the stability of dental implants (Anitua et al., 2006).

Maxillofacial Surgery: PRP is also beneficial in maxillofacial surgery, where it is used to speed up the healing process following procedures such as jaw reconstructions, facial fracture repairs, and soft tissue surgeries. Its use reduces postoperative pain and swelling while accelerating recovery times (Moran et al., 2011).

Advantages and Limitations of PRP

 Advantages:

  • Autologous Nature: PRP is derived from the patient’s own blood, reducing the risk of immune rejection or infection.
  • Safety Profile: As an autologous product, PRP has a very low risk of adverse reactions or complications (Cervelli et al., 2012).
  • Accelerated Healing: Studies consistently show that PRP accelerates tissue healing and reduces recovery time.
  • Minimally Invasive: The procedure is relatively simple and involves minimal patient discomfort.

Limitations:

  • Variability in Preparation: The concentration of platelets can vary depending on the technique and equipment used, potentially leading to inconsistent outcomes.
  • Limited Evidence: Although the use of PRP is promising, further large-scale clinical trials are needed to establish its efficacy and standardize its use across different fields (Everts et al., 2006).
  • Cost: While PRP is generally cost-effective, the specialized equipment and preparation procedures can make the treatment expensive in some cases.

Conclusion: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is an emerging therapeutic option in both medical and dental fields, known for its ability to accelerate healing and promote tissue regeneration. The preparation of PRP involves the collection of a patient’s blood, followed by centrifugation to concentrate platelets. In both medicine and dentistry, PRP is utilized for wound healing, musculoskeletal injuries, and dental tissue regeneration. Despite its promising benefits, further research is needed to refine techniques and fully establish its clinical effectiveness.

References:

  1. Andia, I., & Maffulli, N. (2013). Platelet-rich plasma for musculoskeletal injuries: A review. British Medical Bulletin, 105(1), 39-59.
  2. Anitua, E., Sánchez, M., Nurden, A. T., & Nurden, P. (2006). Effect of platelet-rich plasma on the healing of bone grafts in maxillofacial surgery. Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, 34(6), 363-369.
  3. Cervelli, V., Spallone, D., & Rizzello, L. (2012). Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in aesthetic surgery. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 32(1), 63-70.
  4. Everts, P. A., et al. (2006). Platelet-rich plasma: New performance understandings and clinical applications in wound healing. BioMed Research International, 2016.
  5. Kraus, D., et al. (2014). Platelet-rich plasma in aesthetic medicine. Journal of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, 34(7), 103-109.
  6. Marx, R. E. (2004). Platelet-rich plasma: Evidence to support its use. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 62(4), 499-501.
  7. Meyer, G., et al. (2012). Platelet-rich plasma in periodontology: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 39(2), 113-123.

Moran, M., et al. (2011). The use of platelet-rich plasma in maxillofacial surgery. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Su