Leukocyte Platelet Rich Fibrin
Leukoctye Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) is a by-product of blood (plasma) that is rich in platelets. Until now, its use has been confined to the hospital setting. This was due mainly to the cost of separating the platelets from the blood and the large amount of blood needed to produce a suitable quantity of platelets. New technology permits doctors to harvest and produce a sufficient quantity of platelets from only 55 cc of blood, which is drawn from the patient while they are having outpatient surgery.
Why All The Excitement About L-PRF?
L-PRF permits the body to take advantage of the normal healing pathways at a greatly accelerated rate. During the healing process, the body rushes many cells and cell-types to the wound in order to initiate the healing process. One of those cell types is platelets. Platelets perform many functions, including formation of a blood clot and release of growth factors (GF) into the wound. These growth factors; platelet derived growth factors (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF), and insulin-like growth factor (ILGF), function to assist the body in repairing itself by stimulating stem cells to regenerate new tissue. The more growth factors released and sequestered into the wound, the more stem cells are stimulated to produce new tissue. Thus, L-PRF permits the body to heal faster and more efficiently.
A subfamily of TGF, is bone morphogenic protein (BMP). BMP has been shown to induce the formation of new bone in research studies in both animals and humans. This is of great significance to the surgeon who places dental implants. By adding L-PRF, and BMP, to the implant site with bone substitute particles, the implant surgeon can now grow bone more predictably and faster than ever before.
L-PRF Has Many Clinical Applications
L-PRF can be used to aid Bone grafting for dental implants. This includes onlay and inlay grafts, sinus lift procedures, ridge augmentation procedures, closure of cleft and/or lip, and palate defects. It can also assist in repair of bone defects created by removal of teeth, or small cysts and repair of fistulas between the sinus cavity and mouth.
L-PRF Also Has Many Advantages
Safety: L-PRF is a by-product of the patient’s own blood, therefore, disease transmission is not an issue.
Convenience: L-PRF can be generated in the doctor’s office while the patient is undergoing an outpatient surgical procedure such as the placement of dental implants.
Faster healing: The supersaturation of the wound with L-PRF, and thus growth factors, produces an increase of tissue synthesis and faster tissue regeneration.
Cost effectiveness: Since L-PRF harvesting is done with only 55 cc of blood in the doctor’s office, the patient need not incur the expense of the harvesting procedure in hospital or at a blood bank.
Ease of use: L-PRF is easy to handle and actually improves the ease of application of bone substitute materials and bone grafting products by making them more gel-like.
Frequently Asked Questions About L-PRF
Is L-PRF safe? Yes. During the outpatient surgical procedure a small amount of your own blood is drawn out via the IV. This blood is then placed in the L-PRf centrifuge machine and spun down. In less than 15 minutes, the L-PRF is formed and ready to use.
Should L-PRF be used in all bone-grafting cases? Not always. In some cases, there is no need for L-PRF. However, in the majority of cases, application of L-PRF to the graft will increase the final amount of bone present, in addition to making the wound heal faster and more efficiently.
Will my insurance cover the costs? Unfortunately not. The cost of the L-PRF application (approximately $200) is paid by the patient. It is significantly less expensive, easier to process and more effective than Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Can L-PRF be used alone to stimulate bone formation? No. L-PRF must be mixed with either the patient’s own bone, a bone substitute material such as demineralized freeze-dried bone, or a synthetic bone product, such as BIO-OSS.
Are there any contraindications to L-PRF? Very few. Obviously, patients with bleeding disorders or hematologic diseases do not qualify for this in-office procedure. Check with your surgeon and/or primary care physician to determine if PRP is right for you.
Cortland Oral Surgery
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Had a broken tooth and they got me right in, staff was very friendly and professional. Doctor Sangiacomo is a fantastic Dentist.
- Steve R
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. SanGiacomo and his aide, Stephanie, showed me the X-ray of the tooth to be extracted, and Dr. SanGiacomo described what to expect during the procedure, which went smoothly. By the time I was ready to leave, the office staff (I'm sorry - I don't remember the individuals' names) had already submitted the bill for the procedure to my insurance company (so that I did not need to do so), and they had already sent antibiotic and pain-relief prescriptions to my pharmacy. Speaking of pain - I experienced hardly any. Before going to sleep, I took an Ibuprofen as a precaution. I slept well. I appreciate the personable and professional work of Dr. SanGiacomo and his staff. Sincerely, John S.
- John S
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Difficult extraction but handled with expertise.
- Andrew H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very satisfied. Everybody was very courteous and professional. Would return again if needed.
- Russell M
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I was so nervous during the whole procedure Dr SanGiacomo and his other staff member who was in the room with me made me feel comfortable they talked to me thru out the whole process and made me feel safe. The whole team was very friendly. Thank you so much.
- A G
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Everyone in the office was very friendly and I felt "at home" right away, although I had come into the office feeling very nervous. I am thankful that I had such a good experience.
- Sue C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Great experience.
- Patricia J
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Super polite staff - sanGiacomo was brilliant; kept me informed for the entire 50 min surgery; keep tabs on if I was feeling any pain/discomfort; explained what my options were thoroughly, even when things took a turn. Everyone in the practice seems to be knowledgable, courteous, and efficient. Can't better than that.
- Caryln B
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The experience has seemed mainly fine, so far (the surgery is for my children, not me). My only concern is that when we arrived for pre-op consultation - and my son apparently had gum in his mouth at time of visit - the doc took the gum out and stuck it on my son's hand, rather than simply asking him to spit his gum out. I tried to find the humor in it, but it was really more unprofessional than humorous. Otherwise, lovely office, and I have confidence in the doctor's expertise as well as the staff's.
- jane c
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Staff and Dr Sangiacomo are great! Took great care of me with me wisdom teeth extractions....highly recommend to anyone in need of oral surgery!
- Jacob H
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
The Dr. and staff were very friendly and professional, even when my tooth gave them a rough time coming out.
- Bruce W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. SanGiacomo and staff were really great and made this procedure much less scary and painful than I expected. Aftercare instructions booklet is actually helpful- clear, thorough, and well-written. So far healing well with no swelling and little to no pain. Thank you!
- Jen D
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Every part of the experience was phenomenal! I can't speak highly enough about the doctor and the entire staff. Highly recommended!
- Travis C
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I am getting a tooth implant. I had a tooth pulled and bone grafting. It didn't take much time and was practically pain free. Everything was explained as we went along. So happy to have found this team.
- Charlene G
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was very nervous. This was my first surgery (wisdom teeth extractions) I’ve ever had and was going to have anesthesia. Both the staff and Dr. SanGiacomo made my whole experience very comfortable and very relaxed. Everything went well with my surgery and has been going well with the recovery. I highly recommend Cortland Oral Surgery and Dr. SanGiacomo.
- Skylar C
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Didn't feel a thing! THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT WORK!
- Tim B
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It was good to not have any wait at all. All the staff were pleasant and explained the procedures and after care well.
- Olivia B
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I was very pleased with the doctor and his staff.
- Robert H
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Very friendly and personable people. They fit me into their busy schedule because I was having a problem... which was GREAT to get my problem tooth taken care of so I could start the healing process. THANK YOU very much!!
- Melinda C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very pleased with the scheduling and onlinepaper work during covid, the Doctor was thorough and made sure I didn't feel any pain or unecessary discomfort. He also let me do a follow up to put me at ease as I still was sore and had slight bleeding after a few days. I would highly recommend for anyone in need of a extraction.
- Tyler c