PRF TreatmentArroyo Grande, CA
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) treatment may be beneficial to patients who are worried about the prospect of recovering after oral surgery. It is crucial to only seek out such treatment from doctors who have received the necessary specialized training. PRF treatment uses blood byproducts known as fibrin that are exceptionally rich in platelets and growth factors to assist in the post-treatment healing process.
PRF treatment is available at Wilson Oral Surgery in Arroyo Grande and the surrounding area. Many patients find PRF treatment to be an easy way to speed up the healing process. Call us today at 805-476-2567 to schedule an appointment.
Understanding PRF Treatment
Platelets' white blood cells make them play an especially important role in healing. They also conduct various growth factors that are instrumental in cell metabolism, differentiation, migration, and proliferation. These growth factors can stimulate and attract stem cells to the surgical site. Fibrin acts as a "bridging" molecule that assists in the migration of fibroblasts and endothelial cells, which are responsible for healing new tissues.
Oral surgery involves exposing the jawbone, where there is relatively little blood. When an area of the body has less blood, it also has a diminished ability to heal as quickly and defend itself against infection. Supplementing the body with PRF treatment may boost bone regeneration and soft-tissue wound healing. Without PRF treatment, surgical sites remain open during the healing process. This runs the risk of contamination. PRF treatments combine the benefits of both platelets and fibrin to "close" this space.
The Difference Between PRF and PRP
Developed in France in 2001 by Dr. Joseph Choukroun, PRF treatment was revolutionary in comparison to other platelet concentrates because it did not require any gelifying agents. Before offering PRF treatment, our office spent many years utilizing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment instead. However, our surgeons chose to move onto PRF treatment over PRP treatment due to its many benefits.
PRP treatment and PRF treatment are similar in many ways. For instance, they both require taking blood directly from the patient, and they both require placing this blood in a centrifuge. However, PRP treatment requires more blood than PRF treatment, and PRP treatment also requires a higher speed of centrifugation than PRF treatment. This may cause further trauma to the individual blood cells in PRP treatment, resulting in fewer stem cells overall.
In comparison to PRP treatment, PRF treatment may provide for a longer-term release of growth factors. Additionally, advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF), which our doctors use, releases a much more significant amount of growth factors overall. All these factors result in PRF treatment having more healing elements than PRP treatment.
PRF Treatment and Oral Surgery
PRF treatment can provide patients with the blood platelets and growth factors necessary to assist in blood clot formation and facilitate wound healing. This can stimulate stem cells to form new host tissues as soon as possible. As such, PRF treatment can be beneficial for a variety of dental procedures, including:
- Bone Grafting. Often done in preparation for implants, bone grafting involves regenerating bone that a patient has lost, whether it be through age, congenital disabilities, or trauma.
- Bone Repair. Facial trauma can lead to facial lacerations, intra-oral lacerations, and fractured jaws and facial bones. Treatment may require teeth extraction and the removal of growths or cysts.
- Fistula Repair. In dentistry, fistulas are small canals formed on the top of a tooth extending to the surface of the oral cavity. These canals collect infectious discharge, like pus. When full, the fistulas will become pimple-like until they burst and drain in the mouth.
PRF treatment is a safe, convenient option to accelerate healing after oral surgery. By saturating any surgical wounds, PRF treatment assists in increasing tissue synthesis and speeding up tissue regeneration. In turn, this may decrease the risk of running into complications, discomfort, and infections further along the road.
Learn More Today
For many patients, PRF treatment is a safe and easy way to experience accelerated healing from their dental procedures. We at Wilson Oral Surgery may be able to help determine whether this solution is right for you. Call us today at 805-476-2567 to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the blood for PRF treatment come from?
Blood used for PRF treatment comes from the patient's own body. Typically, each surgical site will necessitate one vial of blood. Patients will have their blood drawn just as they would during a routine physical exam. Blood is usually taken immediately before the procedure. It is then placed into a centrifuge and separated into three distinct layers: (1) plasma, (2) red blood cells, and (3) platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).
Is PRF treatment safe?
Both in vitro and in vivo studies have determined PRF treatment to be safe, both when used alone and in conjunction with other biomaterials. Overall, the procedure is minimally invasive and low-risk.
How should I prepare for PRF treatment?
Your surgeon can provide you with the best pre-operative instructions for you, including what to do before PRF treatment. In general, however, patients should restrict their usage of non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen for at least one week before the procedure and until completion of treatment.
Are there any possible complications with PRF treatment?
There are few potential side effects of PRF treatment because the blood is coming from your own body. As such, patients are not at risk for allergic reactions, infections, or rejections to the procedure. However, patients with hemophilia and related conditions should consult with their doctor to determine whether or not this treatment is right for them.
Do I need PRF treatment if I am getting bone grafting?
PRF treatment can be especially useful for bone grafting procedures, but not every bone grafting procedure requires PRF treatment. Consult with Drs. Tyler M. Wilson, DDS and Marshall S. Humes, DDS to learn more.
Can PRF treatment stimulate bone formation?
There is not yet any conclusive evidence that PRF treatment is adequate to stimulate bone formation on its own. However, its usefulness in bone regeneration can improve the success of various oral surgeries, especially bone grafting.