Get to know the healing power of PRF therapy at your neighborhood dentist’s office!
Downtown Dental Services doesn’t practice “run-of-the-mill” dentistry. Led by Dr. Tony Lu, our patients from across the Cleveland, Ohio area benefit from common treatments with an attractive twist – such as extractions with Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF).
What is PRF therapy?
The platelets, fibrin, and growth factors naturally present in your blood are responsible for many vital functions. They support wound repair, tissue regeneration, and natural healing. Dentists like Dr. Lu concentrate these powerful healing substances. This therapeutic “cocktail” can then be applied to your treatment site to accelerate healing. PRF also decreases the risk of prolonged discomfort and other undesirable side effects following your procedure.
How do you “make” PRF?
PRF is prepared in our office. We use a small sample of your blood and then introduce it to a special machine. This machine, or centrifuge, then rapidly spins the blood to separate it into its different and beneficial components. The PRF is now ready to be applied to your damaged tissues/treatment sites, where it can then work its “magic.”
What can I expect during my appointment?
PRF is a complement to your dental procedure. Regardless of your specific treatment needs, the PRF part of your appointment generally starts with a routine blood draw. Once the PRF has been “prepared” in the centrifuge, we apply it to the areas of your mouth that have been treated. The PRF behaves as a scaffold, slowly releasing growth factors over time and as you heal. This process also stimulates the cells associated with wound healing at the site. It encourages the formation of new blood vessels and new tissues, and has an antibacterial effect (to minimize the risk of complications like infections).
How do you use PRF?
We commonly apply PRF at the site where a tooth is removed or extracted. For instance, we have used PRF in conjunction with the removal of wisdom teeth. These particular types of extractions are generally associated with long healing/recovery times (of between three and four weeks). However, with the addition of PRF to the sockets, many of our patients experience little discomfort as they heal – even after just one week. PRF is also used in dentistry for other surgical procedures, such as:
- Periodontal therapies to treat gum disease
- Implant surgery/placement to encourage the bone and implant to heal or grow together
- Bone grafting to build up a deteriorated jawbone (often before implants placement)
What are the benefits of PRF?
Dr. Lu and our team at Downtown Dental Services like to use PRF with other procedures, because it is:
- Safe and biocompatible – Since it is derived from your own blood, the risks of rejection, allergies, or other adverse reactions are minimized.
- Natural – PRF is a “pure” healing aid that contains no unnecessary additives or anticoagulants.
- Highly effective – Due to PRF’s inherent healing and regenerative capabilities, we support predictable and optimal results. The risk of treatment failures or complications, such as infections, is also minimized.
- Comfortable – Patients have a better treatment experience at every step! Their discomfort, swelling, and inflammation are reduced, especially when compared to conventional treatments. PRF also helps to accelerate healing, so patients spend less time recovering and more time enjoying their new smile.
To learn more about PRF, schedule an appointment today! Call (216) 616-1155 to speak with a member of our team in Cleveland, OH. Our office is conveniently located near Heinen’s.
No pain, much gain: Enhance healing after wisdom teeth removal
Dr. Lu: Drew, thank you so much for agreeing to talk about your recent procedure with us.
Patient: Okay.
Dr. Lu: Yeah. That’ll help our other patients. So we did an IV sedation for you, right? We took out all four wisdom teeth, and also we did a PRF. We drew blood and then put growth factors back in the extraction socket. I think you just did the follow-up appointment. I think everything went really well.
Patient: Right.
Dr. Lu: Could you talk a little bit about the procedure that day: how you felt, stuff like that?
Patient: Yeah, so it went great. Dr. Lu is the best right here.
Dr. Lu: Oh, thank you so much.
Patient: I actually just started coming to Downtown Dental. I really wanted to get my wisdom teeth out, so I reached out, and they were quick with setting up appointments, getting x-rays, and everything with my teeth, and then put a plan out in front of me and gave all the sheet and info I needed, and then that day I got here, they made me comfortable. I got sedated and everything.
Dr. Lu: Yeah, we put IV right? You were really comfortable.
Patient: Yeah, very comfortable.
Dr. Lu: And then we got the teeth out.
Patient: And then, got all the teeth out very clean and got me on my way that day. Very happy. And since then, it went great. I’m only a week out, and I’ve had very minimal pain.
Dr. Lu: Yeah. I think one thing, if you remember, we drew blood from you when we did the IV sedation. Spin down the blood. We take the growth factor called the PRF. So, the PRF, we put it back in the extraction socket, and that really speeds up the recovery. So, I was telling you, according to my experience, it usually takes three or four weeks for people to recover. But one week after everything is good for you.
Patient: I think it worked wonders. I’m really happy to see the results.
Dr. Lu: Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
Patient: Thank you.
