Board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn incorporates PRF into virtually every surgical procedure at The Loft Dental Studio. Using your own blood to concentrate growth factors, PRF accelerates healing, reduces pain and swelling, and improves treatment outcomes naturally.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) is a second-generation autologous platelet concentrate that harnesses the healing power of your own blood to accelerate tissue repair after dental surgery. Unlike older platelet concentrates that require chemical additives, PRF is produced from a simple blood draw with no anticoagulants, no bovine thrombin, and no synthetic chemicals. The result is a dense fibrin membrane rich in platelets, white blood cells, and growth factors that your body uses to rebuild tissue faster and with less inflammation than it would on its own.
PRF was developed by Dr. Joseph Choukroun in France in 2001 as an improvement over first-generation platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The key innovation was eliminating chemical additives from the preparation process. When blood is drawn and immediately centrifuged without anticoagulants, it begins to clot naturally during centrifugation. This natural clotting process produces a structured fibrin matrix that traps platelets, leukocytes, and circulating growth factors within its architecture. The result is a biological scaffold that releases healing mediators slowly and steadily over 7 to 14 days, rather than in a single burst.
Because PRF is prepared entirely from the patient's own blood, it is 100 percent biocompatible. There is no risk of allergic reaction, immune rejection, or disease transmission. This makes PRF one of the safest biologic adjuncts available in modern surgery, which is why Dr. Ahn incorporates it into virtually every surgical procedure performed at The Loft Dental Studio.
The PRF preparation process is straightforward and takes place chairside during your surgical appointment. A small amount of blood is drawn from your arm, typically two to four tubes (about 20 to 40 milliliters), similar to a routine blood test. The tubes are placed in a specialized centrifuge and spun at a controlled speed for approximately 12 minutes. During centrifugation, the blood separates into three layers: a red blood cell base at the bottom, a PRF clot in the middle, and a small amount of platelet-poor plasma at the top.
The PRF clot is carefully removed from the tube and compressed into a dense membrane using a PRF box. This membrane has a golden-yellow color and a flexible, tissue-like consistency. Within its fibrin architecture, the PRF membrane contains a concentrated supply of the growth factors that orchestrate tissue repair.
When the PRF membrane is placed at the surgical site, these growth factors are released gradually as the fibrin matrix dissolves over the following 7 to 14 days. This sustained delivery mechanism mimics the body's natural healing process but at a concentrated, accelerated rate, giving tissues a significant biological advantage during the critical early healing period.
Patients sometimes ask about the difference between PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) and PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), both of which are autologous platelet concentrates derived from the patient's own blood. While they share a common principle, PRF represents a significant advancement over PRP technology in terms of preparation, structure, and clinical performance.
The most clinically significant difference is the growth factor release profile. PRP delivers its growth factors in a rapid burst within the first few hours after placement, which means the biological benefit is short-lived. PRF, by contrast, releases growth factors gradually over 7 to 14 days as the fibrin matrix naturally dissolves. This sustained delivery matches the timeline of the body's healing process and provides ongoing biological support during the most critical phase of tissue repair.
Additionally, the structured fibrin matrix of PRF serves as a physical scaffold that guides cell migration and tissue regeneration. This three-dimensional architecture gives PRF a dual function: it acts as both a growth factor delivery system and a tissue engineering scaffold, which is why it is particularly effective when used with bone grafts and over extraction sites.
Dr. Ahn does not treat PRF as an optional add-on or an upsell. At The Loft Dental Studio, PRF is a routine component of surgical care, used in virtually every procedure because the evidence consistently demonstrates better outcomes when platelet-rich fibrin is incorporated into the treatment protocol. Here is how PRF enhances each type of procedure Dr. Ahn performs.
PRF is mixed with bone graft material to create a "sticky bone" composite that is easier to handle and more biologically active than graft material alone. The PRF membrane is also placed over the implant site to accelerate soft tissue closure and protect the underlying graft. Research has shown that PRF-enhanced implant sites demonstrate faster osseointegration and improved bone density around the implant.
During sinus lift procedures, PRF membranes are layered between the elevated Schneiderian membrane and the bone graft material. PRF also serves as a protective barrier if a small membrane perforation occurs, providing a biological patch that seals the opening while delivering growth factors that promote repair. The growth factors in PRF enhance vascularization of the graft, which is critical for bone formation in the enclosed sinus environment.
For socket preservation grafts after tooth extraction and ridge augmentation procedures, PRF is mixed with particulate bone graft to improve handling properties and biological activity. The PRF-graft composite packs more densely, stays in place better, and incorporates more predictably than graft material used without PRF. PRF membranes are also placed over the graft site as a protective covering. Learn more about bone regeneration procedures.
When connective tissue is harvested from the palate for gum grafting procedures, PRF is placed over the palatal donor site to significantly reduce post-operative pain and accelerate healing of the harvest area, which is typically the most uncomfortable part of the procedure for patients. PRF is also placed over the recipient graft site to enhance soft tissue integration and reduce the risk of graft shrinkage.
A PRF plug placed into an extraction socket dramatically reduces the risk of dry socket (alveolar osteitis), one of the most common and painful complications following tooth extraction. The PRF plug fills the socket, stabilizes the blood clot, and delivers growth factors that promote organized healing rather than leaving an empty socket vulnerable to food debris and bacterial contamination.
In periodontal flap procedures and following LANAP laser gum treatment, PRF membranes are used to enhance soft tissue healing, reduce post-operative inflammation, and support regeneration of the periodontal attachment apparatus (the ligament, cementum, and bone that anchor teeth in the jaw).
PRF Is Included at No Additional Charge: At The Loft Dental Studio, PRF therapy is included as a standard part of all surgical procedures. Dr. Ahn does not charge separately for PRF preparation because he believes it should be part of every surgical protocol, not an optional upgrade. When you receive implants, bone grafts, extractions, or any other surgical procedure at our practice, PRF-enhanced healing is already built into your treatment plan.
I incorporate PRF into virtually every surgical procedure at The Loft Dental Studio because the evidence is clear: patients heal faster, experience less discomfort, and achieve more predictable outcomes when PRF is used. This is not an upsell or a luxury add-on. It is my standard of care. Preparing PRF adds only about 12 minutes to a procedure, and the clinical benefits are substantial. When I can draw a small vial of a patient's blood and use it to meaningfully reduce their pain, accelerate their healing, and improve the success of their bone graft or implant, there is no clinical justification for not doing it. That is why PRF is included at no additional charge for every surgical case in our practice.
PRF therapy is supported by a substantial and growing body of peer-reviewed research. Since Dr. Choukroun's original description of the PRF protocol in 2001, hundreds of clinical studies have investigated the biological mechanisms and clinical outcomes of PRF in oral surgery, implant dentistry, periodontics, and regenerative medicine.
The biological foundation of PRF lies in the concept of concentrated autologous healing. When tissue is injured, whether from surgery or trauma, the body initiates a complex cascade of cellular events designed to repair the damage. Platelets are among the first responders, arriving at the wound site within minutes and releasing growth factors that recruit other cells, stimulate blood vessel formation, and initiate tissue rebuilding. PRF concentrates this natural process by delivering a supraphysiologic dose of platelets and growth factors directly to the site where they are needed most.
One of the most important advantages of PRF over earlier platelet concentrates is its sustained-release pharmacokinetics. A study by Dohan Ehrenfest and colleagues published in the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research demonstrated that PRF releases growth factors (including PDGF, TGF-beta, and VEGF) gradually over a period of at least 7 days, with measurable release continuing through day 14. This slow-release profile matches the timeline of the body's wound healing phases, providing biological support during both the inflammatory phase (days 1 to 3) and the proliferative phase (days 4 to 14) of healing.
By contrast, PRP delivers its growth factor payload in a rapid burst, with the majority of growth factors released within the first hours after application. Once the initial burst dissipates, PRP provides no further biological benefit. The sustained delivery of PRF means that the surgical site receives continuous growth factor stimulation throughout the critical healing window, rather than a single spike followed by nothing.
Unlike some platelet concentrate preparations that intentionally remove white blood cells, PRF retains a significant concentration of leukocytes within its fibrin matrix. These leukocytes provide two important functions: first, they contribute an innate immune defense against bacterial infection at the surgical site; second, they release additional cytokines and growth factors that modulate the inflammatory response and promote tissue regeneration. Research suggests that the leukocyte component of PRF is partly responsible for its superior anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties compared to leukocyte-poor preparations.
The PRF preparation process is simple, quick, and happens seamlessly alongside your surgical procedure. Here is what you can expect.
Before your procedure begins, a small amount of blood is drawn from a vein in your arm, exactly as it would be for a routine blood test. Typically, two to four tubes are collected, totaling about 20 to 40 milliliters. Most patients describe the blood draw as a brief pinch that lasts only a few seconds. If you are receiving IV sedation for your procedure, the blood draw can be done through the same IV line, eliminating the need for a separate needle stick.
The blood tubes are placed in a tabletop centrifuge located in the treatment room. The centrifuge spins the tubes at a calibrated speed for approximately 12 minutes. During this time, Dr. Ahn proceeds with administering anesthesia and preparing for the surgical procedure. By the time the surgical site is ready, the PRF is ready as well. The timing is seamless, with no added waiting for the patient.
After centrifugation, the PRF clot is carefully removed from each tube and placed in a PRF compression box, which presses the clot into a uniform membrane. Depending on the procedure, the PRF may be used as a membrane (placed over a surgical site or graft), mixed with particulate bone graft material to create "sticky bone," or shaped into a plug to fill an extraction socket. Multiple PRF membranes can be prepared from a single blood draw.
The PRF is placed at the surgical site during the procedure, while you are already fully anesthetized. You will not feel the PRF placement. The entire PRF preparation process adds no perceptible time to your appointment because the centrifugation occurs simultaneously with other preparation steps.
Every surgical procedure at The Loft Dental Studio includes PRF therapy for faster healing and better outcomes. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Ahn today.
Call (714) 549-7030Yes, PRF therapy is exceptionally safe. Because PRF is prepared entirely from the patient's own blood, there is no risk of allergic reaction, disease transmission, or rejection. No synthetic chemicals, bovine thrombin, or anticoagulants are added during the preparation process. The blood draw is small, typically two to four tubes (about 20 to 40 milliliters), similar to a routine blood test. PRF has been used in oral surgery, orthopedic surgery, and wound care for over two decades with an outstanding safety record. The centrifugation process is performed chairside using a sterile, closed system, and the resulting PRF membranes are placed directly at the surgical site during your procedure.
The PRF preparation involves a simple blood draw from your arm, similar to having blood drawn at a doctor's office. Most patients describe this as a brief pinch. The PRF membrane is then placed at the surgical site while you are already anesthetized for your procedure, so you do not feel the PRF placement at all. In fact, patients who receive PRF therapy typically experience less post-operative pain and swelling compared to those who do not, because the concentrated growth factors in the PRF membrane actively reduce inflammation and accelerate tissue repair from the moment they are placed.
At The Loft Dental Studio, PRF therapy is included at no additional charge for all surgical procedures. Dr. Ahn considers PRF to be a standard part of evidence-based surgical care, not an optional add-on. When PRF is used as a standalone treatment or at practices that charge separately, costs typically range from $300 to $600 per session. Because Dr. Ahn incorporates PRF into every surgical procedure as part of his treatment protocol, patients at The Loft Dental Studio receive the benefits of PRF-enhanced healing without a separate line-item charge.
Virtually any patient undergoing a dental surgical procedure is a candidate for PRF therapy. Because PRF is derived from the patient's own blood, there are very few contraindications. Patients with bleeding disorders, those on blood-thinning medications such as warfarin or certain antiplatelet drugs, and patients with severe anemia should discuss their medical history with Dr. Ahn before the blood draw. In most cases, PRF can still be used safely. PRF is beneficial for patients undergoing dental implant placement, bone grafting, sinus lifts, gum grafts, tooth extractions, and periodontal surgery. It is especially valuable for patients who are concerned about healing time or who have medical conditions that may slow healing, such as well-controlled diabetes.
A PRF membrane actively releases growth factors for approximately 7 to 14 days after placement. During this window, the concentrated platelets, leukocytes, and growth factors within the fibrin matrix gradually break down, delivering a sustained release of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and other healing mediators directly to the surgical site. This slow-release mechanism is one of the key advantages of PRF over older PRP technology, which releases growth factors in a rapid burst within the first few hours. The biological effects of PRF, including accelerated tissue regeneration, enhanced blood vessel formation, and improved graft integration, continue to influence healing for weeks to months after the initial growth factor release period.
Yes, PRF is particularly valuable during dental implant placement. Dr. Ahn uses PRF in several ways during implant surgery: the PRF membrane can be mixed with bone graft material to enhance graft integration and new bone formation around the implant, it can be placed over the surgical site to accelerate soft tissue healing and reduce post-operative swelling, and it can be used to coat the implant surface before placement. Research published in the Journal of Oral Implantology and other peer-reviewed journals has shown that PRF-enhanced implant sites demonstrate faster osseointegration, improved soft tissue healing, and reduced post-operative complications compared to sites treated without PRF.