Terry Pannkuk, DDS, MScD – Endo Implantology
Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) can aid in ridge preservation and augmentation
This instructional photo series explains the preparation of platelet rich fibrin (PRF) and some predictable results.
Dr. Joseph Choukroun developed and popularized a technique which is a simple method of obtaining a fibrin clot useful for bone augmentation and preservation. An older technique, platelet rich plasmin (PRP), requires more blood and more complicated processing.
2 comments
Very nicely demonstrated and performed. It would be interesting to see the result in 3D on a follow up CBCT. Also, the issue of using PRF as a stand-alone material for lateral sinus lift is worthy of further investigation. The concern is loss of sinus lift height/width during the healing phase as PRF might not have the same potential for volume maintenance as a solid graft material does given the natural forces that exist day to day in the maxillary sinus that would put pressure on the healing graft site.
I couldn't agree with you more. Much of the literature evidence is anecdotal fairly low-level science. The fibrin clot concentrated with bone growth factors seems to accelerate healing and minimize inflammation, virtually eliminating the chance of a dry socket, but collapse of the initial volume does seem to occur in the absence of adequate osseous scaffolding. Grossly deficient areas of maxillary alveolar bone with a pneumatized maxillary sinus around a tooth to be extracted is destined to collapse if not supported by particulate graft and PRF alone tends to collapse to at least the level of the adjacent maxillary sinus floor. It seems to predictably aid in the support of a Summer's lift with the tenting of the actual implant giving a little more lateral new bone volume but that's just a personal clinical impression, a few more anecdotes.