Plasma Rich in Growth Factors. Ref.: 42
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) or Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF), an autografting technique used to promote the regeneration of damaged tissues. The process begins with the collection of the patient's own venous blood. The Plasma Rich in Growth Factors has a higher concentration of platelets than normal blood. These platelets are responsible for releasing the growth factors that will promote tissue healing.
To obtain the plasma, the blood is centrifuged for a certain time and speed. Once the centrifugation is finished we will have 3 fractions in each tube: Fraction 1, Fraction 2 and the Red Blood Cell fraction.
Fraction 1 is then removed from each tube and deposited in an empty tube. The same operation is performed, but now with Fraction 2. This Fraction 2, which is the richest in growth factors, can be used to moisturize the implant surface before placement or to apply on a post extraction socket to promote healing.
To activate coagulation, CaCl2 is added to the tube of each of the fractions and the contents are poured into two glass containers which are placed in a hotplate at 37ºC. After a few minutes a fibrin clot with the growth factors is obtained.
Activated Fraction 2 can be used to fill a post-extraction socket or to combine it with some type of bone graft for sinus elevations or bone augmentations. The growth factors it contains are released and will promote hard and soft tissue healing.
Activated Fraction 1 has less amount of growth factors than Fraction 2. It can be used to elaborate fibrin membranes that can be used to cover the lateral window in a sinus lift, or to cover biomaterials in cases of bone grafts.