At New York Periodontics, biologic regeneration is a central part of how we approach periodontal surgery, oral surgery, bone grafting, and implant dentistry. Dr. Hector Sarmiento began using platelet-derived growth factor, commonly known as PDGF, more than 16 years ago, during a time when biologic materials were still emerging as advanced tools in regenerative dentistry.
Through his work at the University of Pennsylvania and in private practice, Dr. Sarmiento has written numerous scientific articles and textbook chapters discussing the role of biologic materials, growth factors, wound healing, and regenerative therapy. Over the years, PDGF has become one of the staple biologic materials used in Dr. Sarmiento’s treatment protocols. He has incorporated this growth factor into numerous periodontal, bone grafting, and implant procedures to help improve healing, enhance graft predictability, and allow treatment in areas that were historically considered more difficult or less predictable.
PDGF stands for platelet-derived growth factor. It is a naturally occurring protein found in the human body that plays an important role in wound healing, tissue repair, blood vessel formation, and bone regeneration. PDGF acts as a biologic signaling molecule, meaning it helps recruit and activate the body’s own healing cells to the surgical site.
In dentistry and periodontics, PDGF is used to help create a more favorable regenerative environment. It does not replace surgical skill, proper diagnosis, bone grafting, or implant planning. Rather, it enhances the body’s natural healing response by supporting the cellular processes that are necessary for regeneration.
PDGF is naturally found in the body, especially in platelets, which are cells involved in clot formation and wound healing. In clinical use, PDGF is available as a purified, recombinant human growth factor. This means it is manufactured in a controlled, pharmaceutical-grade manner to be biologically similar to the PDGF naturally produced by the body.
Because it is purified and standardized, PDGF can be used in a controlled and predictable way during regenerative procedures. It is not a stem cell product. Rather, it is a growth factor / biologic signaling protein that helps stimulate the patient’s own cells to migrate, multiply, and participate in healing.
Cell recruitment
Cell proliferation
PDGF helps stimulate the multiplication of important regenerative cells, allowing the body to build a stronger healing response.
Angiogenesis / blood vessel formation
Bone regeneration
Soft tissue healing
Graft predictability
Modern periodontics is no longer limited to simply removing disease or managing bone loss. Today, many procedures are designed to regenerate lost tissue, rebuild bone, improve soft tissue architecture, and create a healthier foundation for teeth and dental implants.
PDGF is used because it helps support several important biologic processes:
Dr. Sarmiento often uses PDGF in combination with bone grafting materials, membranes, PRF, and other biologic techniques. This allows the grafted site to have both structural support and biologic stimulation.
At New York Periodontics, PDGF is incorporated into many advanced regenerative procedures, including:
In bone grafting, the graft material provides the scaffold. PDGF helps provide the biologic signal. Together, they help create an environment where the patient’s own cells can migrate into the area, establish blood supply, and begin the healing and regenerative process.
Dental implants require healthy bone and healthy soft tissue for long-term success. In cases where bone volume is limited, infection has caused destruction, or previous implants have failed, biologic enhancement may be important.
PDGF can be used to help improve healing in implant-related procedures by supporting:
For patients with complex anatomy, bone loss, periodontal defects, or previous surgical complications, PDGF can be an important part of a comprehensive regenerative strategy.
Some patients take medications that can affect bone remodeling and healing, including antiresorptive medications such as Prolia, Fosamax and Reclast, which are commonly prescribed for osteoporosis or other bone-related conditions. These medications can be associated with a rare but serious condition called medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, also known as MRONJ.
At New York Periodontics, patients with a history of bisphosphonate or antiresorptive medication use are carefully evaluated before surgical treatment. Dr. Sarmiento may incorporate PDGF, PRF, and other biologic materials when appropriate to help support wound healing and improve the biologic environment after extractions, bone grafting, implant therapy, or periodontal surgery.
While no material can completely eliminate the risk of osteonecrosis, PDGF may be used as part of a risk-reduction strategy because it supports blood vessel formation, soft tissue healing, cellular recruitment, and tissue repair. These biologic effects are especially valuable in patients who may have compromised bone turnover or delayed healing potential.
PDGF has been studied extensively in regenerative medicine and dentistry. When used appropriately, it is considered a safe biologic material for periodontal and oral surgical procedures. Because PDGF is a purified growth factor that mimics a protein naturally present in the body, it is designed to support normal healing pathways rather than introduce a foreign biologic process.
At New York Periodontics, PDGF is used selectively and with careful clinical judgment. Its use depends on the patient’s medical history, the type of procedure being performed, the quality of the bone and soft tissue, and the regenerative goals of treatment.
Dr. Sarmiento is highly experienced in the clinical use of advanced biologic materials, including PDGF, PRF, bone grafting materials, collagen membranes, and other regenerative technologies. His work in academic periodontics, private practice, scientific writing, and textbook contributions has focused heavily on how biologic mediators can improve healing and expand what is possible in periodontal and implant therapy.
At New York Periodontics, we do not view these materials as simple additives. We use them as part of a biologically guided treatment philosophy. Each material is selected for a specific purpose: to improve healing, enhance graft stability, support blood supply, protect the surgical site, and increase the predictability of treatment.
PDGF has allowed us to treat more complex bone defects, compromised implant sites, advanced periodontal problems, and medically sensitive patients with a higher level of biologic support. This is one of the ways New York Periodontics continues to integrate advanced science with clinical precision to provide patients with modern, predictable, and highly personalized periodontal and implant care.
