Information on the process for PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin) (38)

by | Apr 30, 2020 | Dental surgery

Information on the process for PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin)

Surgeon, anaesthesiologist and pain specialist Dr Joseph Choukroun devised the PRF method in 2001. The PRF method is one of the most efficient means of promoting wound healing, exerting its effect through white blood cells, growth factors and cytokines present in the blood. In the process for PRF blood is drawn from the patients and centrifuged with PRF centrifuge at a low speed.

Blood draw 

PRF centrifuge

The natural coagulation process forms a fibrin coagulate replete with growth factors and white blood cells (leukocytes) which serve an extracellular matrix function. The extracellular matrix promotes the formation of new blood vessels and the new vascular network, keeping the wound moist, and slowly but continuously releasing growth factors, cytokines, etc., required for healing.

Centrifuged blood. White blood cells collect in the upper half of the vial whereas platelets gather in the lower half.

In the course of research Dr Chokroun and his team also developed protocols A-PRF (Advanced PRF) and I-PRF (Injectable PRF). A thick, ”sheet-like” membrane can be prepared from A-PRF (a protective membrane of fibrin clot of a dense, gel-like consistency) with which to “dress” the wound. I-PRF is a fibrin of a thinner consistency that can be pumped into a syringe with which to “irrigate” the surgical area or bone. A great number of mesenchymal stem cells are present in I-PRF.

Fibrin clots of a gel-like consistency used for the preparation of membranes (A-PRF)

The two protocols can be used separately but may also be combined when performing a bone graft of a larger scale (e.g. sinus lift), where A-PRF is used as a membrane or matrix protecting the wound, whereas I-PRF is mixed with the bone graft material. The mixture of the fibrin clot derived and bone graft material will result in a sticky bone consistency perfectly manageable and suited for administration and gluing onto the bone graft area, facilitating the surgeon’s job.

Benefits of using PRF:

  • Pain relieving effect, with pain largely resolving in as little as one day
  • Administration of post-surgery antibiotics is not required since the fibrin clot abundant in white blood cells decreases the risk of infection.
  • The fibrin clot keeps the wound moist and promotes the formation of blood vessels (angiogenesis), which is conducive both to wound healing and bone formation
  • The procedure may also be applied on patients on anticoagulant medication with slightly longer fibrin clot formation periods

Indications for the PRF procedure:

  • oral surgeries such as tooth extraction, tooth implantation, sinus lift, bone graft, resection, etc.
  • periodontal treatments such as pocket cleaning, open or closed curettage, removal of connective tissue grafts, gingival surgeries, tunnel technique, etc.