PRF (Platelet‑Rich Fibrin)

What is PRF?

PRF stands for Platelet‑Rich Fibrin. It’s a concentrated “healing matrix” created from a small sample of your own blood. PRF is rich in platelets, white blood cells, and growth factors, held together in a fibrin scaffold (think of it like a natural, sticky healing bandage).

Because PRF is made from your own blood (autologous), it’s biocompatible and does not involve synthetic additives during preparation in standard PRF protocols.

How is PRF obtained?

1. Quick blood draw: We draw a small amount of blood—similar to routine lab work.
2. Spun in a centrifuge: The blood is gently centrifuged for a short time to separate components.
3. PRF is collected and shaped: The PRF can be prepared as a membrane (like a soft, flexible bandage), a plug, or an injectable form depending on the clinical goal.
4. Placed where it’s needed: PRF is placed into an extraction socket and/or combined with graft material.

Why we use PRF

Important: PRF is not a guarantee of faster healing or a substitute for good surgical technique and aftercare. We’ll discuss whether PRF is appropriate for your specific situation.

PRF for wisdom teeth sockets

After wisdom tooth removal, we can place PRF into the socket(s). The goal is to support healing and reduce common post‑op issues like discomfort, swelling, and dry socket risk (depending on your individual risk factors and surgical complexity).

What you can expect

• PRF is placed at the end of the procedure (before sutures when needed).
• It gradually resorbs on its own—nothing needs to be removed.
• Your standard aftercare instructions still apply (diet, hygiene, activity, meds as indicated).

PRF mixed with bone grafts

In procedures like socket preservation, ridge preservation, or other bone grafting needs, PRF can be combined with bone graft particles. This can create a cohesive, easy‑to‑handle graft mixture and adds your body’s own growth‑factor rich matrix to the site. Evidence suggests PRF may enhance early healing in post‑extraction sites and may benefit some reconstructive/guided bone procedures, though results vary and ongoing research continues to refine best practices.

Research articles & patient resources

If you’d like to go deeper, here are reputable articles and reviews on PRF in oral surgery, extraction healing, dry socket, and bone regeneration:

• Choukroun et al. (2006) — Platelet‑rich fibrin (PRF): a second‑generation platelet concentrate
• Zwittnig et al. (2024) — Effectiveness of PRF in third molar (wisdom tooth) extractions
• Ye et al. (2024) — PRF after lower third molar extraction (pain, swelling, dry socket, trismus)
• Yang et al. (2024) — PRF after mandibular third molar extraction (systematic review)
• Al‑Maawi et al. (2021) — PRF in post‑extraction healing (review)
• Ucer et al. (2023) — PRF in alveolar ridge preservation (review)
• Arora et al. (2024) — PRF in guided bone regenerative procedures (systematic review & meta‑analysis)
• Laforgia et al. (2024) — PRF and dry socket management (review)