Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF)
Platelet Rich Fibrin Biomaterials
What is PRF?
Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) is created from your own blood. Leukocyte – Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) changes all the rules as it promotes healing and bone growth from within your own body. Unlike other treatments that use artificial components, platelet therapy with L-PRF uses only your own blood. With a simple blood draw and using an advanced technology protocol, L-PRF is individually made for you – from you. The process creates a gel-like material or membrane that can be used as a barrier over the bone graft, and generates some liquid that contains all the growth factors which are injected in the wound site or mixed with the bone graft. The end result is an improved healing response and significantly less recovery time.
Background
If you suffered a small scrape on your knee, your body would react by creating a clot to stop the bleeding, form a scab, and finally regenerate healthy new skin. Platelet Fibrin Therapy is similar. A small amount of blood is collected to create an advanced bioactive compound that will boost the healing forces found within your own blood to improve your healing.
The therapy is 100% natural and additive-free. Natural growth factors present in your body are concentrated using L-PRF. Your own concentrated platelets and other key blood cells and their unique healing abilities are simply re-introduced at the site of your surgical procedure. As a result, your body releases powerful healing proteins, and creates a scaffold for healing.
Process
After the blood sample is taken, the tubes are spun using a very specific centrifuge and protocol. The L-PRF clots are then removed and pressed to the ideal thickness. L-PRF is not chemically altered and doesn’t contain any synthetic, animal, or other human ingredients.
Is L-PRF painful? The procedure to obtain L-PRF is virtually painless—no more so than a routine blood test.
Is L-PRF New or Experimental? LPRF technology has been available since 2001 and there are hundreds of articles supporting positive regeneration benefits related to bone graft healing.
How does L-PRF work to heal? L-PRF provides a concentrated release of healing proteins, creates a scaffolding (tissue support)/cover to help direct healing and forms a more efficient network for cells to communicate with other cells and tissues. Due to the high concentration of platelets and leukocytes within the L-PRF clot, the fibrin releases growth factors for up to14 days after placement. This is when the body is repairing itself and needs the extra help to heal.
Are there any side effects or complications from L-PRF? L-PRF uses your own blood, with NO additives whatsoever. This reduces the risk of allergy, or side effects because the process involves the use of your own concentrated platelets, with their own unique healing abilities, which are simply reintroduced at the site of your extraction, implant placement or other surgical site. Some swelling in the surgical site may be the only effect of treatment.
What types of conditions are treated with L-PRF? Currently L-PRF is being used for dental and oral maxillofacial surgical procedures, including dental implants, bone defects, extraction sockets, sinus and dental ridge augmentation, palatal defects, and mandibular (lower jaw) or maxillary (upper jaw) bone atrophy/resorption and loss.