What is it?
Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) is an autologous Fibrin Matrix containing concentrated platelets. PRF contains several growth factors including PDGF, TGF-b, VEGF, EGF, and IGF. The mentioned growth factors have been shown to stimulate bone, soft tissue, and vascular ingrowth.
PRF directs stem cells and supports mesenchymal cells involved in the early phases of healing.
What are some of the benefits of PRF?
- Reduction in the incidence of Localized Osteitis
- Dramatic decrease in PO time management
- Autologous product
- Enhanced soft tissue healing
- Reduction in pain and bleeding
What are some indications for PRF?
- Prevention of Localized Osteitis – one study showed a 90% reduction in the incidence of LO
- Used to enhance soft tissue healing
- Extractions
- Bone Graft
- Labial Dehiscence
- Socket preservation
- Enhanced socket healing
Platelet Rich Fibrin at Associated Oral Specialties and Milestone Dentistry[F1]
Platelet Rich Fibrin is exactly what its name suggests. The substance 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 mainly because of the cost of separating the platelets from the blood (thousands) and the large amount of blood needed (one unit) to produce a suitable quantity of platelets. New technology now permits doctors to harvest and produce enough platelets from only 55cc blood drawn from the patient during outpatient surgery.
Why the excitement about PRF?
In short, it’s the by-product of the patient’s own blood, so disease transmission is not an issue. This procedure is convenient. It is done in the office by the doctor while the patient is undergoing an outpatient procedure, such as a dental implant or extractions. PRF super saturates the wound, and thus growth factors, produces an increase of tissue synthesis, which means faster tissue regeneration, or simply, faster healing. This procedure is also cost effective. Now that only 5cc of blood is needed, there is no need for the patient to pay for their blood to be drawn at a blood bank or hospital. Also, PRF is easy to handle and it improves the ease of application of bone substitute materials and bone grafting products by making them more gel-like.
PRF allows the body to take advantage of its own normal healing process at a much faster rate. The body rushes many cells and cell types to wounds in order to promote healing. One of those cell types is platelets. These cells do many things like form blood clots, and release growth (GF) factors into the wound. These GF (platelet derived growth factors PGDF, transforming growth factor beta TGF, and insulin-like growth factor (ILGF) function to help the body repair itself by stimulating stem cells to regenerate new tissue. The more growth factors in the wound, the more the stem cells can be stimulated to produce new host tissue. PRF allows the body to heal efficiently and fast.
A subfamily of TGF, is bone morphogenic protein (BMP). BMP has been shown to induce the formation of new bone in research studies in animals and humans. This is good news for surgeons who place dental implants. By adding PRF, and thus BMP, to the implant site with bone substitute platelets, the implant surgeon can now grow bone faster and more productively than ever before.
And now a few things you may not ask, but we want you to know about PRF.
PRF is safe! Since the patient’s own blood is used during the outpatient procedure and drawn with IV, it can then be placed in the PRF centrifuge machine and spun down in less than fifteen minutes to form the PRF. PRF does not have to be used in all bone grafting, but it will increase the final amount of bone present and promote faster healing. PRF must be mixed with the patient’s own bone or substitute material like demineralized freeze-dried bone or synthetic bone product. It cannot be used alone. Obviously, patients with bleeding disorders or hematologic diseases do not qualify for this in-office procedure, so you should check with your surgeon and /or primary physician to determine if PRF is right for you. For more information about this and other ground- breaking dental technologies, please visit us at 5671 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, suite 420. Atlanta, GA 30342, or call 404-254-2709 to make an appointment today!
(404) 254-2709