Platelet Rich Fibrin

Platelet rich fibrin (PRF), a by-product of blood (plasma), is rich in platelets. 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 function is to assist the body in repairing itself by stimulating stem cells to regenerate new tissue. The more growth factors released into the wound, the faster the healing.

PRF promotes healing in bone grafting for dental implants, onlay and inlay grafts, sinus lift procedures, ridge augmentation procedures, and closure of cleft, lip, palate defects, repair of bone defects creating by removal of teeth or small cysts, and the repair of fistulas between the sinus cavity and mouth. This is of great significance to the surgeon who places dental implants. By adding PRF your implant surgeon can now grow bone more predictably and faster than ever before.

Advantages of PRF

• PRF is a by-product of the patient's own blood; therefore, disease transmission is not an issue because bovine, cadaver, or synthetic bone is not used. 
• PRF can be generated in the convenience of your doctor's office as a outpatient surgical procedure.
• PRF promotes faster tissue regeneration.

Frequently Asked Questions PRF:

Q: Is PRF safe? 
A: 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.

Q: Is PRF be used in all bone grafting cases?
A: Not necessarily, however, as with most cases the application of PRF to a graft will increase the final amount of bone present in addition to making the wound heal faster and more efficiently.

Q: How much does it cost? 
A: The cost of a PRF application is approximately $600. Unfortunately most insurance plans do not cover PRF and the expense is paid by the patient.