Platelet Rich Fibrin PRF FAQ for Dental Professionals

Clinicians who want to provide the most up-to-date patient care with improved outcomes will find that PRF treatment offers significant value. Produced with autologous blood, PRF or Platelet Rich Fibrin provides advantages to the clinician during treatment, with extended benefits for the patient during the healing and recovery stages.

If you’re currently considering PRF for your clinic, these frequently asked questions will bring you up to speed and help you to make an informed decision.

What are the Most Important Benefits of Treatment with PRF?

An increasing number of clinicians are adopting PRF treatment as an essential aspect of restorative and regenerative dental care. PRF can give your practice an edge with improved patient outcomes and fewer post-treatment complications.

The benefits of treatment with Platelet Rich Fibrin are extensive. PRF treatment can…

  • Attract osteoblasts to restore peri-implant bone.
  • Generate new bone in the treatment of defects.
  • Reconstruct bony defects post-surgery.
  • Help to preserve the alveolar ridge.
  • Enhance gum volume.
  • Speed up wound healing.
  • Help to prevent infections.
  • Heal soft tissue margins.
  • Reduce inflammation after treatment.
  • Help to minimize pain from dental treatment wounds.

There are minimal risks when introducing PRF into a dental treatment plan. Developed from the patient’s blood, it is biocompatible with a near zero risk of infection and cross-contamination when handled correctly.

How Does Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) Differ from Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?                                  

PRP is a precursor to PRF. In dentistry, PRF is a superior solution.

The key difference is that PRP is often treated with anticoagulants in the test tube, which can prevent the activation of platelets in the blood. PRP is processed with a high g-force which leaves the majority of the useful cells in the blood clot.

Up to ten times the amount of platelets is retained in the PRF process. PRF results in a slower and more controlled release of growth factors, which can occur over a period of up to 14 days, providing essential healing and regenerative components when they are most needed.

Is PRF Safe for All Patients?

PRF is safe for most patients, thanks to its autologous nature and low risk of cross-contamination. There are a few specific scenarios where PRF treatment isn’t recommended. Patients that have certain blood conditions or that are taking anticoagulants may not be suited to PRF treatment.

Clinicians should evaluate each case to determine the need and viability of PRF treatment.

What are the Different Types of PRF?

PRF protocols are continually developed and improved. There are several protocols available to clinicians today.

  • A-PRF is a recently developed protocol that creates a spongy membrane at lower speeds. It is easily manipulated to suit dental defects and creates a thick membrane with a high concentration of growth factors.
  • I-PRF is an injectible PRF with growth factors, stem cells, platelets, white blood cells, and bone morphogenetic proteins concentrated in a liquid form. This can be injected directly into the skin (such as for esthetic facial treatments), or into soft oral tissues to support and enhance healing.
  • Sticky bone is a product created with any of the above protocols. Mixing the PRF material with bone grafting material results in a sticky bone substance that can be used for socket preservation and to build a graft around defects.

Do You Need a Special Centrifuge for PRF?

A programmable centrifuge is the best way to prepare PRF. With protocols evolving, it’s important that the unit has the current protocols, with the option to expand with new protocols as they are developed.

The Dr. Choukroun Duo Quattro PRF Centrifuge (SKU: PRF-DUOQUATTRO) has been designed specifically for PRF preparation and is approved by the the founder of PRF treatment. This centrifuge contains a USB stick with the latest protocols included. New protocols can be downloaded and then updated on the device as they are developed.

What are the Typical Applications of PRF Treatment?

PRF treatment can provide advantages in a range of scenarios. The most widely established applications today include:

  • Dermal regeneration.
  • Orthopedic surgery.
  • Facial Esthetics.
  • Guided Bone and Tissue Regeneration (GBR and GTR).
  • Gingival Recession.
  • Sinus Augmentation.
  • Socket Preservation.

The most advanced dental clinics today use PRF to support the best patient outcomes.

What Accessories are Necessary for PRF Treatment?

Standard accessories used for PRF treatment include blood draw devices (such as butterfly collectors), PRF tubes, syringes with needles, tourniquets, etc.

While each accessory and instrument can be purchased separately, clinicians who are using PRF treatment for the first time can get more value from a PRF kit. A kit contains all of the essentials needed to successfully draw blood and prepare the sample in a centrifuge, and then process it for use in an appropriate dental procedure.

There are also accessories available that can improve the properties of the sample. It has been discovered through research that the temperature of the blood being processed will influence the final preparation when it comes out of the centrifuge. A PomPac™ Cooled PRF Tube Holder (SKU: PRF-POMPAC) can improve the size of the PRF clot and increase the volume of plasma.

Will PRF Protocols Become Outdated?

The PRF protocols in use today are constantly being reevaluated. We can see throughout the history of PRF therapy that new developments have entered mainstream use.

Protocols can and most likely will be updated in the future, which is why it’s so important to choose a centrifuge that is ready to adapt to any changes. The Duo Quattro Centrifuge has been developed specifically to comply with the changeable nature of PRF protocols. It ships with the latest protocols and can be reprogrammed as researchers find new ones.

An investment in a reliable centrifuge is important. With the right equipment in your dental clinic, you will be prepared for any changes that might come.

Order the Best PRF Supplies at Dental Implant Technologies

At Dental Implant Technologies we supply the most reliable PRF centrifuges, instruments, and supplies. PRF can change the way that you provide care for your patients, with an improved in-office workflow and better patient outcomes. Order PRF supplies today and ensure that your patients get the most up-to-date care.