Platelet Rich Fibrin(PRf)
Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is a by-product of blood (plasma) that is rich in platelets. Until now, its use has been confined to the hospital setting. This was due mainly to the cost of separating the platelets from the blood and the large amount of blood needed to produce a suitable quantity of platelets. New technology permits doctors to harvest and produce a sufficient quantity of platelets from a very small amount of blood, which is drawn from the the same site as the patient’s IV while they are having a procedure at our office.
PRF is a tool that significantly improves bone and soft tissue regeneration. It supports faster tissue regeneration and aids in quicker healing.
Why All The Excitement About PRF?
PRF permits the body to take advantage of the normal healing pathways at a greatly accelerated rate. During the healing process, the body rushes many cells and cell-types to the wound in order to initiate the healing process. One of those cell types is platelets. Platelets perform many functions, including formation of a blood clot and release of growth factors into the wound. These growth factors assist the body in repairing itself by stimulating stem cells to regenerate new tissue. The more growth factors released and sequestered into the wound, the more stem cells are stimulated to produce new tissue. Thus, PRF permits the body to heal faster and more efficiently.
PRF Has Many Clinical Applications
PRF can be used to aid bone grafting for dental implants. It can also assist in 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: PRF is safe and fast since it is a by-product of the patient’s blood. Therefore, disease transmission is not an issue.
Convenience: PRF is generated at the doctor’s office. During the outpatient surgical procedure, a small amount of blood is drawn from your IV. This blood is placed in the PRF centrifuge machine and spun down. The process takes less than 15 minutes.
Faster healing: The use of PRF during a procedure supports faster tissue regeneration and improved healing.
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 PRF is formed and ready to use.
Should PRF be used in all cases? Not always. In some cases, there is no need for PRF. However, in the majority of cases, application of PRF to the extraction or graft site will increase the final amount of bone present, in addition to making the wound heal faster and more efficiently.
Will my insurance cover the costs? Unfortunately not. The cost of the PRF application is paid by the patient. However, the benefits for improved tissue regeneration and faster healing are outstanding.
Can PRF be used alone to stimulate bone formation? No. PRF must be mixed with either the patient’s own bone, a bone substitute material such as demineralized freeze-dried bone, or a synthetic bone product.
Are there any contraindications to PRF? 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.
