The Unique Benefits of L-PRF

Platelet-rich plasma, stem cell therapy, and other similar forms of rehab therapy have quickly grown in popularity over the last several years. This has been aided by the improvement in technology and the reduction of cost. Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, and stem cell therapy required the removal of other blood or stem cells (typically from within a bone, such as the hip). The blood’s plasma or stem cells would then be injected into a particular area of the body that needed to repair itself.

Medical doctors often used this form of treatment for torn ligaments around the body. Plasma and stem cells have the power to rebuild damaged tissue. While primarily used for serious and painful injuries, it is now possible to take advantage of a similar treatment to help repair damage within your mouth. This treatment is known as Leukocyte-Platelet Rich Fibrin or L-PRF.

What Is L-PRF?

PRP or the obtaining of stem cells from within the human body can be a bit invasive. Naturally, you don’t want a long needle injected into your hip bone when you need work performed on your mouth. That is why L-PRF is a more desirable treatment. As is the case with PRP, a small amount of blood is collected from your body. This is no different than if you went into the doctor’s office to offer up a blood test.

Your tube of blood is then spun within a centrifuge. This spinning separates the different elements within your blood. Because the red and white blood cells are of a different density it causes the two to separate. After the elements of your blood have been separated, it is possible to gather the thin layer of white blood cells. These are dense in platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).

PRF is used within the body to repair injuries, such as a scraped knee. However, when you injure yourself from scraping the skin on the sidewalk, only a small amount of white blood cells actually reaches the injury. When you use PRF, you’re using an almost 100% makeup of this material, which in turn helps rapidly repair the damaged area.

What is L-PRF Used For?

You generally don’t need L-PRF when it comes to basic cuts, or even for healing following a tooth extraction. Your body does a fine job when it comes to the repair process, so the L-PRF injection wouldn’t speed up the process all that much. Instead, when it comes to any kind of dental surgery in Melbourne, you would want to consider L-PRF if other areas of your mouth are already weak.

The most common usage of L-PRF is when dental implants are required. As your body ages, it will slowly begin to degrade. This happens everywhere, from the surface level of your skin, all the way down to your bones. When visiting an oral surgeon in Melbourne, FL, such as Dr. Sedaros, an X-Ray of your jaw will be taken in order to identify the density of your bones.

Dental implants, depending on the situation, will either be attached to the top of your jaw bone or inserted through the bone itself. Your oral surgeon will then determine if your bone is strong enough to sustain this kind of implant, or if your jaw bone is at risk of splitting and breaking.

Using L-PRF

If your bones are not dense enough for a dental implant, Dr. Sedaros will use L-PRF to help strengthen the bone. Once the platelet-rich fibrin has been obtained, it will then be injected into the bones. This will lead to the production of new bone cells, strengthening your jaw. Once the jaw has strengthened you will then be able to continue with your new dental implants.

Would I Benefit From L-PRF?

Have you been turned down for implants in the past based on the strength of your jaw? Maybe you are considering implants but want to take all the precautions necessary to ensure you are best-taken care of. Whatever the situation may be, our team at Sedaros Oral Facial Surgery & Dental Implants want to make sure you receive comprehensive oral care that will help promote optimal oral health for life. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and be on your way to a healed and healthy smile in no time!