Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) Therapy in Littleton, CO

No one wants a dry socket. It is an unwanted risk of the healing process. The best-known prevention of a dry socket is platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).

There have been many clinical studies to test ways to prevent dry socket. Can we put anything in the extraction socket to aid healing or prevent a dry socket? An antibiotic? Collagen? Bone wax? More than 10 different ideas tested in 2500 patients didn’t come up with a good solution. Until PRP.

In the normal healing process, your immune system sends white blood cells and growth factors to the surgery site. These good healing cells also bring pain, inflammation, and swelling with them. PRP is a collection of those good cells, which gives you a three-day jump start on the healing process, without waiting for the swelling and inflammation to bring the good cells. PRP reduces pain, speeds healing, and lowers the chance of getting a dry socket. PRP has many uses in medicine: for tendinitis, arthritis, plastic surgery, and oral surgery.

PRP is made from the patient’s own blood. When you get IV sedation, blood is drawn from the vein into two test tubes. This blood is spun in a centrifuge while your wisdom teeth are being extracted. By the time the teeth are out, the PRP is ready. While spinning in the centrifuge, the blood separates three layers: red blood cells, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and watery platelet poor plasma. The layer of PRP is yellow and gummy. It contains white blood cells, growth factors, fibrinogen (that helps with clotting), and more – all the good stuff. This gummy layer of PRP is removed from the test tube and placed in the extraction socket.

At our dental practice, we provide this service. Using PRP goes above and beyond the standard of care. This is an added value to your treatment because we want you to have a quick recovery.

If you are one of our patients and think you may have a dry socket, please call our office.