CTX Oral Surgery & Dental Implants

Platelet-Rich Fibrin

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CTX Oral Surgery and Dental Implants

Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF)

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a byproduct of blood that is obtained by spinning a small amount of a patient’s own blood in a centrifuge. The centrifugation process separates the blood into three layers: red blood cells at the bottom, platelet-rich fibrin in the middle, and platelet-poor plasma at the top.

PRF is a rich source of platelets, growth factors, and cytokines, which are important in the process of tissue healing and regeneration. It is used in various fields of medicine, including oral surgery, to promote wound healing and tissue regeneration.

In oral surgery, PRF can be used as a natural alternative to synthetic materials for bone and soft tissue regeneration. It is often used in procedures such as dental implant placement, periodontal surgery, and bone grafting. The PRF is placed at the surgical site to promote healing and regeneration of the surrounding tissues.

PRF has several advantages over synthetic materials. Since it is made from the patient’s own blood, it is biocompatible and does not pose a risk of rejection or infection. It is also cost-effective and readily available.

PRF Has Many Clinical Applications:

  • Bone grafting for dental implants. This includes onlay and inlay grafts, sinus lift procedures, ridge augmentation procedures, and closure of cleft, lip, and palate defects.
  • Repair of bone defects created by removal of teeth or small cysts.
  • Repair of fistulas between the sinus cavity and mouth.

PRF Also Has Many Advantages:

  • Safety: PRF 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 placement of dental implants.
  • Faster healing: The supersaturation of the wound with PRF, and thus growth factors, increases tissue synthesis and thus, faster tissue regeneration.
  • 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 out via the IV. This blood is then placed in the PRF centrifuge machine and spun down. In less than 15 minutes, the PRP is formed and ready to use.

Not always. In some cases, there is no need for PRF. However, in the majority of cases, application of PRF to the graft will increase the final amount of bone present in addition to making the wound heal faster and more efficiently.

Unfortunately not. The cost of the PRF application (approximately $400) is paid by the patient.

No. PRF must be mixed with either the patients own bone, a bone substitute material such as demineralized freeze-dried bone, or a synthetic bone product, such as BIO-OSS.

Very few. Obviously, patients with bleeding disorders or hematologic diseases do not qualify for this in-office procedure. Check with your surgeon and/or primary care physician to determine if PRF is right for you.