How Does Platelet-Rich Fibrin Work in Dentistry?

Dental procedures are getting more advanced, effective, and speedy every day, and we’re proud and excited about implementing these advancements in our work. That’s why we offer platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in our Campbell, California, office. But how does it work?  

At Ueno Center Dental Specialists, we embrace new and emerging dental techniques that can make the entire treatment and recovery process easier on you. With PRF, we can do dental surgeries and repairs more easily, and you can recover faster. 

Jeremy K. Ueno, DMD, and the rest of our team members are happy to explain this procedure as well as how it works. The next time you need a dental procedure, you can consider if PRF might be right for you.    

Platelet-rich fibrin 101 

Platelet-rich fibrin uses your own blood and the healing factors of your own body. It can be helpful in a number of instances where you might require a safe yet easy way to decrease your recovery time. 

With PRF, we take a small amount of your blood, spin it in a centrifuge, and extract the healing elements. These include platelets, stem cells, fibrin, and most importantly, white blood cells. In fact, white blood cells are what makes PRF stand out from platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which you may have also heard of.

PRP is sometimes used to treat people who have been injured, to help someone heal faster after surgery, or even to treat signs of aging and create a more youthful appearance. 

PRF, which is also used for these same reasons, takes slightly longer to prepare and offers even more beneficial healing and growth factors. 

How we use PRF in dentistry 

In dentistry, we use PRF most often to speed up recovery times after a serious procedure. Recovering from a dental implant or bone grafting can take time, but using PRF — which contains healing factors from your own body —  can decrease this time. 

In dentistry, we often combine PRF with other elements (perhaps bone tissue or particles) to create a strong basis for healing or bone and tissue replacement. 

For example, when we remove a tooth, PRF can fortify the space where the tooth used to be and protect the bone density of the jaw. 

You may need time between procedures, so PRF can minimize this time. For instance, we offer immediate implant placement or Teeth in a Day, but your mouth still needs to heal before we insert your permanent prosthesis. Using PRF between procedures can make the process much faster. 

Benefits of PRF in dentistry

PRF can help you in a number of ways. Not only does it cut down your recovery time, but it decreases your chances of getting an infection. It also is much less likely than most medical procedures to cause side effects, because PRF comes from your body. 

In addition, the procedure is cost-effective and convenient, often allowing you to get PRF as soon as your dental procedure is over. And finally, it’s easy on you; all it takes on your part is a quick blood draw. 

Is PRF right for me? 

We at Ueno Center Dental Specialists recommend PRF whenever we perform an oral repair or surgery. But discuss it with us so we’re certain it’s right for you. 

Call our Campbell, California, office, or visit us online to book an appointment. We’re happy to discuss PRF and all of its benefits, as well as any other procedure you may need.