Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a substance that is derived from blood and is abundant in platelets. In the past, the use of platelet-rich plasma was limited to hospital settings due to the high cost and specialized equipment required to separate the various components of blood. However, advances in technology have made it possible for doctors extract and produce a sufficient quantity of platelets from less than 50cc of blood, which can be obtained from patients undergoing outpatient surgery. PRF now be produced in the office in less than 15 minutes, which is a significant.

PRF is highly beneficial because it enables the body to take advantage of the normal healing pathways at a much faster rate. During the healing process, the body sends many cells and cell types to the wound to initiate the healing process, and one of those cell types is platelets. Platelets perform various functions, including the formation of a blood clot and the release of growth factors into the wound. These growth factors help the body repair itself by stimulating stem cells to regenerate new tissue. The more growth factors that are released and sequestered into the wound, the more stem cells are stimulated to produce new tissue. PRF can be condensed into rectangular-shaped membranes using a special kit, which can then be placed directly over bone grafts and other areas to promote faster and more efficient healing.

This is particularly significant for dental implant surgery, as the addition of PRF to the implant site with bone substitute particles can now facilitate the growth of bone more predictably and faster than ever before. This is a major breakthrough that can greatly benefit implant surgeons and their patients.