Platelet Rich Fibrin

Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) is a platelet concentrate and by-product of blood (plasma) that is rich in platelets. The latest protocols are utilized in our office, to harvest and separate platelets from blood during the patient’s procedure. The most recent modifications to centrifugation techniques allow us to form Smart Blood Concentrates which include Advanced and Injectable forms known as A-PRF and I-PRF.

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Why All The Excitement About PRF?

PRF contains high concentration of platelets, fibrin and leukocytes, and permits the body to take advantage of the normal healing pathways During the healing process, the body rushes many cell-types to the wound including platelets. Platelets perform many functions, including formation of a blood clot and release of growth factors (GF) into the wound. These growth factors; platelet derived growth factors (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B), and insulin-like growth factor (ILGF), function to assist the body in repairing itself by stimulating stem cells to regenerate new tissue.

The fibrin matrix is a key component of PRF, and provides the 3D matrix derived from an autogenous source. The fibrin has a high concentration of growth factors which are continuously released over time. The more growth factors that are released into the wound, the more stem cells are stimulated to produce new host tissue. Thus, PRF permits the body to heal faster and more efficiently.

A subfamily of TGF, is bone morphogenic protein (BMP). BMP has been shown to induce the formation of new bone in research studies in both animals and humans. This is of great significance to the surgeon who places dental implants. By adding PRF and BMP, to the implant site with bone substitute particles, the implant surgeon can now grow bone more predictably and faster than ever before.

PRF Has Many Clinical Applications

PRF membranes can be used to aid in bone grafting for dental implants. This includes socket preservation grafts, onlay and inlay grafts, sinus lift procedures, and ridge augmentation procedures. It can also assist in the repair of bone defects created by removal of teeth, or small cysts and repair of fistulas between the sinus cavity and mouth.

PRF Also Has Many Advantages

Safety: PRP is a by-product of the patient’s own blood, therefore, disease transmission is not an issue.

Convenience: PRF can be generated in the doctor’s office while the patient is undergoing an outpatient surgical procedure such as the placement of dental implants.

Faster healing: The supersaturation of the wound with PRF, and thus growth factors, produces an increase of tissue synthesis and faster tissue regeneration.

Cost effectiveness: Since PRF harvesting is done with a minimum amount of blood in the doctor’s office, the patient need not incur the expense of the harvesting procedure in the hospital or at a blood bank.

Ease of use: PRF is easy to handle and actually improves the ease of application of bone substitute materials and bone grafting products by making them more gel-like.

Frequently Asked Questions About PRF

Is PRF safe? Yes. During the outpatient surgical procedure a small amount of your own blood is drawn. This blood is then placed in the centrifuge machine and spun down. In 8 minutes, the PRP membrane is formed and ready to use.

Should PRF be used in all bone-grafting cases? Not every practitioner can provide this service. However, in this office, the application of PRF to the graft is routinely used to make the wound heal more efficiently.

Will my insurance cover the costs? No.

Can PRF be used alone to stimulate bone formation? Yes, if used selectively for a socket preservation procedure or for certain internal sinus lift procedures. For more complex bone grafting procedures, PRF is mixed with either the patient’s own bone or a bone substitute material, and is also very useful as a membrane.

Are there any contraindications to PRF? Very few. Patients with bleeding disorders or hematologic diseases may not be a candidate for this in-office procedure. Check with Dr. Lin to determine if PRF is right for you.