Platelet-Rich Fibrin / Concentrated Growth Factors / Stem Cell Technology
Dr. Brian Kim added a very exciting new treatment to his procedures that involve the grafting of bone and/or tissue. It is called Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) / Concentrated Growth Factors (CGF) / Stem Cell Technique and it is a revolutionary way to improve healing in areas undergoing surgery.
Our blood is composed of many cells that perform numerous functions throughout our body. The cells we’re interested in for helping our bodies to heal from injury are called platelets. Although the main role of platelets is causing our blood to clot, the reason we’re interested in using it for healing is due to its’ role in inflammation. When an injury occurs in our body, blood is rushed to the area to help start the healing process. This rush of blood is what causes the bruising and swelling we often see. The platelets in our blood release inflammatory mediators (called cytokines and growth factors) that aid in the actual healing process. There are a multitude of different growth factors released by platelets, including one’s that aid in the healing of soft tissue and bone. By including PRF/CGF/Stem Cell in bone grafts and tissue grafts, the surgical site is immediately infused with all the necessary growth factors to help create new tissue and bone. As a result, the inflammation caused by surgery is less. In turn the pain and discomfort is decreased as well and the bone and soft tissue heals at a faster rate.
So how do we get this PRF? The day the patient comes in for surgery, blood is drawn and placed into a test tube. It is then placed into a centrifuge where the blood is spun around at a high rate to separate the red corpuscles (bottom layer) from acelluar plasma (top layer). We draw this top layer to use as barrier membrane to accelerate healing or mixed with bone graft to accelerate new bone formation. There’s no risk of rejection, because it’s the patient’s own blood. The blood draw only takes about 30-60 seconds and the pain is minimal. Dr. Brian Kim have been using this now for the past few years and the results have been very promising. Patients are reporting less pain, they appear to be healing at a faster rate, and the surgical area appears much less inflamed. Currently the procedures PRF/CGF is used in our office include: bone grafts, sinus lifts, soft tissue grafts, dental implants, and complex extractions. You get the benefit of using your own blood to heal faster and with less pain.
Our blood is composed of many cells that perform numerous functions throughout our body. The cells we’re interested in for helping our bodies to heal from injury are called platelets. Although the main role of platelets is causing our blood to clot, the reason we’re interested in using it for healing is due to its’ role in inflammation. When an injury occurs in our body, blood is rushed to the area to help start the healing process. This rush of blood is what causes the bruising and swelling we often see. The platelets in our blood release inflammatory mediators (called cytokines and growth factors) that aid in the actual healing process. There are a multitude of different growth factors released by platelets, including one’s that aid in the healing of soft tissue and bone. By including PRF/CGF/Stem Cell in bone grafts and tissue grafts, the surgical site is immediately infused with all the necessary growth factors to help create new tissue and bone. As a result, the inflammation caused by surgery is less. In turn the pain and discomfort is decreased as well and the bone and soft tissue heals at a faster rate.
So how do we get this PRF? The day the patient comes in for surgery, blood is drawn and placed into a test tube. It is then placed into a centrifuge where the blood is spun around at a high rate to separate the red corpuscles (bottom layer) from acelluar plasma (top layer). We draw this top layer to use as barrier membrane to accelerate healing or mixed with bone graft to accelerate new bone formation. There’s no risk of rejection, because it’s the patient’s own blood. The blood draw only takes about 30-60 seconds and the pain is minimal. Dr. Brian Kim have been using this now for the past few years and the results have been very promising. Patients are reporting less pain, they appear to be healing at a faster rate, and the surgical area appears much less inflamed. Currently the procedures PRF/CGF is used in our office include: bone grafts, sinus lifts, soft tissue grafts, dental implants, and complex extractions. You get the benefit of using your own blood to heal faster and with less pain.
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Dr. Brian Kim teaches sinus lift and implant course for fellow colleagues. He lectures and demonstrates the various advanced techniques he uses at his practice. Dr. Kim is currently engaged in teaching of dental students, residents and fellow dental professionals as a lecturer.