Vancouver Oral Surgery Group

Platelet Rich Plasma:

What is Platelet Rich Plasma?

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has become a valuable adjunct in wound healing in dental surgery.

Platelet Rich Plasma can be used for many oral and maxillofacial clinical procedures:

	Sinus Lift
	Bone Grafting
	Closure of Cleft Lip & Palate
	Repair of Bone Defects from the Removal of Small Cysts or Teeth
	Repair of Openings between the Mouth and Sinus Cavity Caused by Disease, Injury, or Malformation

What are the advantages of Platelet Rich Plasma?

Using Platelet Rich Plasma is a way to accelerate and enhance the body's natural healing mechanisms. Moreover, there is no disease transmission because Platelet Rich Plasma is a by-product of the patient's own blood.

Bone Grafting:

Why do I Need Bone Grafting?

When you have missing teeth, over time the jaw bone will shrink because there are no teeth to hold the bone in place. This result often leaves poor quality and quantity of bone which is not suitable for dental implant placement. By grafting bone to the damaged area, you will now be able to have an implant of proper width and length, and functionality of your teeth, and your esthetic appearance will dramatically improve.

Bone grafting is also used to repair supporting bone around your teeth that has been damaged from periodontal disease.

What does Bone Grafting Involve?

The bone used is either your own bone taken from the jaw, hip, or tibia (below the knee), or obtained from a tissue bank. Special membranes may be used to protect the bone graft and promote natural healing and bone growth – this is known as guided bone regeneration.

During the bone grafting procedure, we will fold back your gum tissue and fill your damaged area with bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins to help your body regenerate tissue and bone. See Figure 2.

What are the Benefits of Bone Grafting

By regenerating bone tissue and eliminating bacteria damage your teeth will be healthier and will increase the chance of keeping your natural teeth. If you are considering implants and have missing teeth, bone grafting will allow you to get implants even if you don’t have sufficient bone to support the implants.

After Bone Grafting and Implant Placement

Sinus Lift:

Why do I need a Sinus Lift?

Fig. 1. A Sinus area that has drooped or fallen from bone loss

When you are getting implants, the key to their success is the quality and quantity of the bone where the implant will be placed. The most difficult area to place dental implants is the upper back jaw because there is insufficient bone and is very close proximity to your sinus. If you have lost bone in the upper back jaw due to tooth loss or periodontal disease, there may not be enough bone to place a dental implant (see Figure 1).

A sinus lift (or sinus augmentation) can correct this issue by lifting the sinus floor and promoting the development of new bone for dental implant placement.

What is involved in getting a Sinus Lift?

There are many techniques that may be used to raise your sinus to allow for new bone growth (see Figure 2). A common technique is exposing the bone by incision. A small circle is then cut into your bone. This piece of bone piece is placed in the sinus cavity, and underneath the space is filled with a bone graft material (see Figure 3). Your oral surgeon will explain what types of material can be used for the bone graft which will regenerate lost tissue and bone.

Fig. 2. Insufficient bone around the sinus area prevents implants from being placed

Fig. 3. After the Sinus is lifted, the area is filled in with a bone graft material

The incision is then closed and natural healing is allowed to begin. Usually the bone will need to develop from four to 12 months, depending on your individual needs, before an implant can be placed (see Figure 4).

Fig. 4. After the area has healed and the bone material has bonded, an implant can be placed.

What are the benefits of a Sinus Lift?

Sinus lifts have shown to dramatically increase your chance of implant success that will last for years. Most patients experience little discomfort during the sinus lift procedure.

Socket Grafting:

What is a Socket?

A socket is the area of the bone where the tooth is rooted. When advance periodontal disease or injury has caused extreme deterioration to bones and teeth, the tooth socket may need to be reconstructed.

What is Socket Grafting?

When a tooth has suffered extensive damage or has been lost, it may require socket grafting. Socket grafting is a procedure which rebuilds the bone to allow for tooth replacement by a dental implant or bridge restoration. The bone which surrounds the tooth socket deteriorates very quickly once a tooth is removed.

If a socket continues to be empty after tooth loss, the accelerated bone loss can impact adjacent teeth. Thus, it is incredibly important for appearance and health to rebuild the socket quickly after tooth loss.

What is involved in Socket Grafting?

If the tooth has not already been removed (see Figure 1), the remaining tooth will be extracted (see Figure 2). All remaining root particles will be removed to leave a clean empty socket. Bone grafting material will then be placed into the socket, which will build it into a firm foundation for reconstruction (see Figure 3).

There is an extended healing time for the grafted material to fully combine with your natural bone (see Figure 4). The healing process must be complete before continuing with the restoration. Once the new bone is fixed, implants or bridgework can be implemented to restore full function. Socket grafting allows ineligible patients for dental implants, to become eligible candidates for that type of restoration.