PRF or platelet-rich-fibrin is a technique during which platelets in your blood are isolated to create a concentrate that is injected (with your own plasma) into damaged tissue to aid in faster healing. To fully understand PRF, you must understand that your blood is comprised of platelets, plasma, red & white blood cells. When you suffer an injury, the platelets clot your blood to begin the healing process. They encourage the healing response of “growth factors and other proteins found in your platelets” that also assist in repairing the skin and reducing inflammation. The PRF technique actually takes this healing process one step further with a fibrin meshwork comprised of your growth factors and platelets.1 This fibrin mesh acts almost like a band aid.
Why use PRF?
During the PRF technique, a sample of your blood is put into a centrifuge which separates it into 3 different layers: red blood cells, plate rich fibrin (PRP) and platelet poor fibrin (PPP) Your dentist will then use PRF to create a resorbable membrane (band aid) over the surgical site. The beauty of PRF is that your blood is not altered in any way, in turn your body will essentially be healing naturally at an accelerated rate with the end goal of “rebuilding and regenerating”.1
Due to its ability to aid in the healing process, PRF is often used during any dental surgical procedures. When dental surgeons remove bone, damaged tissue or perform dental implant surgery it is imperative that the area heal as quickly as possible, in turn PRF serves as a wonderful tool to the dental field.
Importance of PRF in Dental Implant Surgery
As stated above, PRF acts like a band aid that can accelerate healing and reduce swelling after an injury/surgical site. Like a normal band aid it protects the surgical site from saliva, bacteria and other contaminants. “During Oral surgery, the patients’ jaw bone is exposed. In bone there is very little blood supply as compared to other tissues in the human body. In areas where there is less blood, the body has less ability to heal quickly and less defense against infection.”2 In turn, PRF can assist this area in healing quickly and also helping to prevent dental implant failure.
If you would like to learn more about PRF as it relates to your own dental surgery or are interested in dental implant surgery, please call 888.257.4025 to set up a consultation with Dr. Young.
References
1. How PRF Works to Speed Recovery After a Dental Procedure. Q Dentistry. Available December 1, 2020 online at: https://www.iqdentistry.com/blog/how-prf-works-to-speed-recovery-after-a-dental-procedure
2. Benefits of Platelet Rich Fibrin-PRF with Tooth Removal and Dental Implants in Sun City, AZ. McCaffrey Dental Group. Available December 1, 2020 online at https://suncityazdentists.com/benefits-of-platelet-rich-fibrin-prf-with-tooth-removal-and-dental-implants-in-sun-city-az/
