Enhancing Healing Using Your Body’s Own Biology
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a regenerative treatment derived from your own blood, used to support healing following oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures.
It provides a concentrated source of platelets, growth factors, and fibrin, helping to enhance tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and support more predictable healing.
What Is PRF?
PRF is produced by taking a small sample of blood and processing it in a centrifuge.
This creates a natural matrix containing:
- Platelets (which release growth factors)
- White blood cells
- A fibrin scaffold that supports tissue repair
Unlike some other preparations, PRF:
- Does not require additives or chemicals
- Forms a slow-release system for growth factors
- Can be used as a membrane or mixed with graft materials
How PRF Works
PRF supports healing by:
- Enhancing early wound stability
- Promoting soft tissue healing
- Supporting bone regeneration
- Reducing inflammation within the surgical site
It acts as a biological scaffold, encouraging the body’s natural repair mechanisms.
Uses in Oral Surgery
PRF is used as an adjunct in a range of procedures, including:
Tooth Extractions
- Improves healing of extraction sites
- May reduce discomfort following surgery
- Particularly useful in higher-risk extractions
Wisdom Tooth Surgery
- Supports soft tissue healing
- May reduce postoperative pain and swelling
Bone Grafting Procedures
- Combined with graft materials to support bone regeneration
- Improves graft handling and stability
- Enhances integration of graft material
Implant Surgery
- Used around implants to support healing
- May improve early tissue response
- Supports both hard and soft tissue integration
Management of Difficult Healing
- Used in selected cases where healing may be slower
- Can support tissue repair in compromised sites
The Procedure
PRF preparation is straightforward.
- A small blood sample is taken at the time of surgery
- It is processed immediately to produce PRF
- The PRF is applied directly to the surgical site
Benefits of PRF
PRF offers several potential advantages:
- Uses your own biological material
- No risk of allergic reaction
- Supports natural healing processes
- May reduce swelling and discomfort
- Helps create a more stable healing environment
It is used to optimise healing rather than replace surgical technique.
Limitations and Expectations
PRF is an adjunct, not a substitute for surgery.
- It does not replace good surgical technique
- Benefits vary depending on the procedure and individual biology
- Not all cases require PRF
Its role is to support and enhance healing, rather than guarantee outcomes.
Risks and Considerations
PRF is derived from your own blood and is generally very safe.
- Minimal additional risk beyond a routine blood draw
- No foreign materials are introduced
- Rarely, minor discomfort at the blood draw site
Consultation
A consultation allows discussion of your procedure and whether adjunctive treatments such as PRF are appropriate.
Book a Consultation
For oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures in London, including those using PRF to support healing, arrange a consultation to discuss your treatment plan.