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

5 out of 5 stars based on 527 reviews

Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Any form of dentistry always makes us cringe. It would seem to be a natural reaction. We dread even making the initial call for an appointment. However, I can honestly say that after my tooth extraction, I would have no hesitation contacting this office again. Extremely busy, but well organized staff. From the moment you enter and approach the check-in counter, they are ready for "you". Very friendly and professional.

- Linda W

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My overall experience was great. I was warmly welcomed and greeted in the waiting room as the window was busy. I have never had this happen. Everyone was very kind and welcoming.

- Connie P

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Overall - - The receptionist, staff, & dental assistant were very pleasant & made me feel @ ease & comfortable in facing a tooth extraction. The Doctor (Dentist) made me feel at peace & felt real confident in his expertIse. The tooth extraction was done in a shorter period of time than I expected.

- Arlene L

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Dr SanGiacomo rescued me by doing an unanticipated extraction shortly before an international flight. I was very grateful.

- Karin S

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Highly recommend this office. Great staff and dentist.

- Maryann W

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Our Latest Patient Testimonial

The staff was wonderful you can tell they care about there patients.

- Anonymous

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Our Latest Patient Testimonial

Very professional crew. Amazed at how painless the procedure was... The pain two days after was pretty bad, but following directions given by your office was very helpful....

- penny L

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My surgery went well. I was very pleased with this office.

- Daniel D

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Excellent dental practice. Thank you for your care and concern.

- Linda H

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I was anxious and the nurse as well as Dr. SanGiacomo assured me I would be fine. Through their caring ways and kind words, I was able to have my extractoin and bonegraft without any sedation. I highly recommend this office for needed oral procedures.

- Virginia D

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Very warm and caring staff.They took me in on the same day I called and in 1 hour I was done.Wonderful Surgeon who was polite and very skilled.Will surely return if needed.

- michael c

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I needed an emergency wisdom tooth extraction, but no one in the syracuse area was available. Dr. SanGiacomo's office explained the options I had if I wanted to have the procedure done immediately, and they were able to schedule me THAT DAY! Although I was hesitant to only use Novocain, the procedure was extremely quick and pretty much painless as far as tooth extraction goes.

- Calli S

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My experience with Cortland Oral Surgery was very enjoyable under the circumstances. I would definitely recommend them to anyone needing oral surgery.

- Terry B

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I could not have been more thrilled with the extraction of my wisdom tooth. I was very anxious, but the office staff were quick to put me at ease. Dr. SanGiacomo was friendly, fun, and expedient- and made a very stressful situation quite pleasant. My wisdom tooth extraction only took a few minutes, and I had very little pain. THANK YOU for a great experience!

- Stacey G

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My 15 year old daughter had all four wisdom teeth extracted. The staff and doctor were so kind and funny and made her feel at ease. I was extremely happy with the entire experience. I would recommend this office over and over again.

- Christine T

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Thank you for being so patient and understanding.

- Tracy K

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I was given the drs name by a friend and a relative. and I would def. share his name to anyone who may ask if I know of a oral surgeon.. He's that good... along with his staff.. Everyone here looked out for my needs and always checked on me to see how I was doing...

- kathleen e

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I was so pleased with my treatment. Even though I was in extreme pain when I walked in, I walked out with very little pain and with a smile on my face. That rarely happens after a dentist appointment !!

- Patricia H

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Very professional staff and dr my husband had a stroke and is sometime very uncomfortable going to someone new by himself. They treated him very professional and with utmost respect thank you for your respect and compassion

- Ronnie O

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A warm place to have an uncomfortable procedure easier

- Linda B

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