Having been in practice for over 25 years, I have seen many changes in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Recently, there have been innovations that are enabling patients to recover more quickly from invasive oral surgical procedures. As surgeons, we are constantly striving for technology that promotes less pain and shorter healing times. One such technology that we utilize is Leukocyte-Platelet Rich Fibrinor or L-PRF.
PRF is a technique to faster healing after oral surgery and other invasive dental procedure. This is healing with L-PRF, which is something that we advocate at Harbor Pointe Oral Surgery. L-PRF is a 3-D autogenous combination of Leukocyte-Platelet Rich Fibrin, derived from the patient’s blood. We conduct a simple chairside procedure and then centrifuge the patient’s blood to produce a thin, compressed layer of platelet-rich fibrin that is strong and suitable for suturing.
These proteins produce quicker healing, especially for about seven days after the surgery. The clot produced after centrifuging can be moulded and compressed to be used as a band-aid over the extraction sites. This not only protects the open wound, but also results in faster wound healing, due to direct stem cell migration stimulated by the platelet growth factors.
Studies have also shown that L-PRF also prevents dry sockets. This is a painful condition that sometimes occurs after you have an extraction. The socket is the hole in the bone where the tooth has been removed. After a tooth is pulled, a blood clot forms in the socket to protect the bone and nerves underneath. Sometimes the clot can become dislodged, or dissolve a few days after the extraction. This results in the bone and nerves being exposed to air, food, fluid and anything else that enters the mouth. This can lead to infection and severe pain that can often last for up to a week.
We, at Harbour Pointe Oral Surgery advocate the use of L-PRF after most invasive dental procedures. L-PRF not only uses the patient’s own body to heal, but it also results in quicker healing with fewer chances of infection. There are certain advantages to using L-PRF, which are:
1) Safety and convenience: As L-PRF is a by-produce of the patient’s own tissues, there is no possibility of disease transmission. Also, it is a simple procedure, which is effective and convenient.
2) Faster healing: L-PRF results in quicker healing with fewer side-effects and reduced pain. It also results in faster tissue regeneration.
3) Cost-effectiveness: Harvesting of platelets is done as a chairside procedure in our office and so, patients do not need to incur the expense of a procedure done in a hospital or blood bank.
4) Ease-of-use: L-PRF forms a gel-like material in the dental socket and so, improves the ease of application to the site of surgery.
5) Perfect for advanced dental surgery and dental procedures: We, at Harbor Pointe Oral Surgery, perform several advanced and invasive dental procedures. L-PRF is perfect as an application treatment after these procedures, to stimulate quicker and more effective healing.
Hopefully, this article clarifies the benefits of this innovative technology for faster, less painful healing after your next oral surgery procedure. We would be happy to discuss it with you, including whether it is something that you will need after your surgery.
For more information on dental surgery procedures and the L-PRF treatment option, contact Dr. Brian Hart or Dr. Kathleen Isdith at 425-353-1009 or at hporalsurgery@gmail.com.