Platelet Rich Fibrin is a blood clot prepared without anticoagulants or artificial additives, that is rich in growth factors, platelets, and cytokines.
PRF facilitates new blood vessel formation, tissue regeneration, healing and stimulation of bone growth.
Using PRF in dental surgery reduces complications, speeds up healing times, lowers the risk of infection and complications.
Application of PRF in dentistry
Platelet Rich Fibrin can be used in oral and maxillofacial surgery, implant dentistry, periodontal regeneration and post-extraction site preservation.
Uses for PRF include:
- improved handling and stabilisation of graft material (Sticky Bone)
- implant cases
- using it as a barrier membrane
- extraction sites for increased healing
- using it in GTR procedures
- periodontal surgery
PRF clots
Implantology
PRF is widely used in Dental Implantology to complement socket grafting procedures — with or without the use of bone grafts — to maintain alveolar ridge dimensions and enhance healing. PRF application into the osteotomy site increases implant stability during the early healing period and also provides faster osseointegration.
Bone grafting
Mixing bone graft with Platelet Rich Fibrin can help the grafted tissues heal more quickly. PRF membranes can be added over the top of the bone graft material, combined with the bone graft material, and/or positioned around or on top of the dental implant to provide a biological membrane that will help bone formation and improve keratinised gingival tissue.
Combining PRF with bone particulate creates a ‘sticky bone’ that is easy to handle and manipulate within the mouth during grafting. It makes for a great aid for particulate or block bone grafting to help stabilise the graft.
Extraction socket
The application of PRF membrane in an extraction socket significantly reduces the horizontal/vertical ridge resorption, even at sites with bone dehiscence. As a filling material in extraction sockets, PRF will act as a stable blood clot for new blood vessel formation and accelerated tissue regeneration.
PRF plug at the extraction site to promote healing
Using PRF as a clot after extractions — including third-molar— helps to reduce dry sockets, has a beneficial effect on both post-operative pain and soft-tissue healing.
Periodontal surgery
PRF membrane can be used for root coverage to increase accelerated soft tissue healing or as to help palatal wound healing after harvesting a palatal graft. It has also been used to avoid damage of gingival tissues during surgery with bone grafting, and to accelerate soft tissue healing.
Sinus Augmentation
It is also utilised as a grafting material in sinus augmentation procedures, in combination with bone grafts, or as a membrane to cover the graft material, or for the repair of a perforated Schneiderian membrane. It is very effective in repairing perforations during sinus augmentation, preventing infection and improving clinical outcomes.
GTR
In guided tissue regeneration (GTR), PRF can be used as a filling material and membrane. The platelet rich fibrin acts as a blood clot and barrier membrane which is fully compatible with the host tissue and does not interfere with the natural healing process.
PRF is resilient, strong, bendable, making it easy to manipulate and receptive to suturing. It can be cut to size and to adapt to many anatomical areas.
Incorporating PRF into your practice will increase your surgical success and will ensure the best possible results for your patients.