Bone Grafting with Your Own Blood (PRF): What Is Behind It?
A few millilitres of your own blood produce a fibrin concentrate that serves as a natural healing aid in bone grafting.
“Bone grafting with your own blood” sounds unusual at first. Behind it is a method that makes use of the body’s natural wound healing: a concentrate rich in platelets and growth factors is obtained from your blood – platelet-rich fibrin, or PRF for short.
PRF is obtained from a small amount of your own blood by centrifugation – without any additives. The resulting fibrin gel can be mixed with bone substitute material or placed on wounds as a membrane. It is considered very well tolerated and can support the healing of wounds and soft tissue.
How PRF is produced
PRF- Blood samplea few tubes from a vein in the arm, directly before the procedure.
- CentrifugationThe blood is spun for a few minutes and separates into layers.
- Fibrin concentrateThe middle layer with fibrin, platelets and white blood cells is drawn off.
- Applicationas a gel mixed with bone substitute (“sticky bone”) or pressed into a membrane.
What PRF is used for
- filling tooth sockets after extractions (socket preservation)
- guided bone regeneration around implants
- sinus lift
- covering wounds, e.g. after wisdom tooth removal
What PRF can – and cannot – do
PRF is not a “miracle cure” but a useful addition: studies suggest that it can improve soft tissue healing and reduce swelling. The actual bone building is still done by the grafting material or your own bone. We use PRF where, according to current knowledge, it offers an advantage.
Book your appointment at the Zahnarztpraxis St. Peter – via online booking or by phone on 0911 554181. You will find us at Hainstraße 25, 90461 Nürnberg (tram 6/10 to Scharrerstraße, patient parking via Scharrerstraße).
Frequently asked questions
Is PRF suitable for everyone?
For most people, yes. With certain blood clotting disorders or illnesses, we discuss the approach individually.
Is PRF paid for by health insurance?
No, preparing PRF is a private service that you pay for yourself.
This article is a translation of our German guide and does not replace a personal examination and consultation. If you have symptoms, please see a dentist – for example at the Zahnarztpraxis St. Peter in Nuremberg.
