Platelet Rich Fibrin

Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) is a by-product of blood (plasma) that is rich in platelets and leukocytes better known as white blood cells. Until now, its use has been confined to the hospital and OR 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 as little as two tubes of blood, which is drawn from the patient while they are having outpatient oral and maxillofacial surgery.

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 cell types to the wound in order to initiate the healing process. Platelets are one of those cell types. Platelets perform many functions, including formation of a blood clot and release of growth factors (GF) into the wound. These growth factors including platelet derived growth factors (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta (TBGF), and insulin-like growth factor (ILGF), function to assist the body in repairing itself by stimulating stem cells to regenerate new bone and soft tissues. 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 than after traditional surgery alone.

A particularly important component is bone morphogenic protein (BMP). It has been shown to induce the formation of new bone in research studies. This is of great significance to the surgeon who places dental implants. By adding PRF to the implant site with bone grafting particles, the implant surgeon can now grow bone more predictably and faster than ever before.

PRF Has Many Clinical Applications

PRF can be used to aid in bone grafting for dental implants. This includes sinus lift procedures, ridge augmentation procedures, and post-surgical alveolar defects. It can also assist in the repair of bone defects created by removal of teeth, or small cysts and repair of fistulas between the sinus cavity, nose 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 the placement of dental implants or a sinus floor bone graft.
  • Faster healing:  The supersaturation of the wound with PRF, and thus growth factors, produces an increase of tissue synthesis and faster tissue regeneration.
    Cost effectiveness:  Since PRF harvesting is done with only 2-4 tubes of blood in the doctor’s office, the patient need not incur the expense of the harvesting procedure in a hospital or at a blood bank.
  • 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 and easier to apply to the surgical site.

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 fully formed and ready to use.

Should PRF be used in all bone-grafting cases?

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 and quality of the bone present, in addition to making the wound heal faster and more efficiently.

Will my insurance cover the costs?

Unfortunately in most cases insurance does not cover the cost. The cost of the PRF application (approximately $350) is paid by the patient.

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 xenograft 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. Dr. Klausner will help determine if PRF is right for you.