As practitioners of holistic dentistry, Dr. Dory Stutman and Dr. Khalida Stutman are always searching for new ways to harness the body’s own power of health and healing. With this in mind, the Massapequa dentist now uses platelet-rich fibrin. Read on to find out how this substance that comes from your own body is used to speed healing after dental implant surgery and to reduce the risk of post-operative complications.
What is Platelet-Rich Fibrin?
Platelet-rich fibrin, or simply PRF, is the gelled membrane form of products that are extracted from a patient’s own blood.
How is Platelet-Rich Fibrin produced?
Just before your dental implant oral surgery, we draw a small amount of blood from a patient. The blood is drawn in test tubes that are then spun in a centrifuge that separates the blood into component parts of plasma, red blood cells and a concentrated amount of white blood cells and platelets. Known as the buffy coat, it is these white blood cells and platelets that contain healing and growth elements.
How is PRF used during dental implant surgery?
Immediately following surgery to secure a dental implant in your jawbone for tooth replacement, PRF is placed directly into the surgery site. Research shows that PRF promotes faster and better healing of both gums (soft tissue) and bone (hard tissue), as well regeneration of these tissues. And because healing and regeneration occur faster, there is a reduced risk of infection and other complications after surgery. PRF can be particularly helpful to patients who might otherwise not be good candidates for dental implants, such as people with diabetes, smokers and others who have medical conditions that can impede healing.
How else is PRF used?
In dentistry, platelet-rich fibrin can also be helpful to healing after tooth extractions, bone grafting procedures and many other oral surgeries. In medicine, PRF has been used for many years to enhance healing after numerous different types of surgery, including cardiac, orthopedic, oral and maxillofacial and plastic surgery.
Want to learn more about Platelet-Rich Fibrin?
If you are scheduled to have dental implant surgery at South Shore Dental Care, then please call our office to find out more about how we use the power of your own body to help you heal and recover more quickly after surgery. The dentist Massapequa trusts provides a comprehensive menu of general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedures to help you and your family enjoy optimal oral health.