PRF and Its Role in Implantology

Oral implants have exhibited high predictability in supporting fixed prosthetic rehabilitations, provided that certain conditions are met during surgical placement and healing.In the last few decades a variety of biomaterials have been introduced in dentistry that can fill in osseous defects and accelerate wound healing.Materials like hydroxyapatite, freeze dried bone graft, tricalcium phosphate,bioactive glass etc. have been widely used and tested for their contribution in healing and regeneration of soft and hard tissues.A new family of platelet concentrate, which is neither a fibrin glue nor a classical platelet concentrate, appeared in France. This new biomaterial,called platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), looks like an autologous cicatricial matrix. The potential value of PRF lies in its ability to incorporate high concentrations of platelet-derived growth factors, as well as fibrin, into the graft mixture. PRF has been shown to increase the rate of bone maturation and to improve bone density when added to small bony defects, or to larger defects in combination with grafting material.