Platelet Concentrates (PRF, PRP)-Nature’s Gift to Surgeons

Abstract

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) are widely used autologous platelet concentrates that enhance healing in oral and maxillofacial surgery. PRP, prepared through centrifugation with anticoagulants, delivers a rapid burst of growth factors that supports early inflammatory and reparative phases, though its long-term effects on bone regeneration remain variable. In contrast, PRF, produced without additives, forms a fibrin matrix that enables sustained release of growth factors and cytokines, promoting predictable osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and soft tissue healing. Literature consistently demonstrates PRF’s superior clinical performance in bone grafting, sinus lift procedures, socket preservation, and general oral surgery due to its biocompatibility, prolonged activity, and immune-modulatory properties. While PRP remains valuable for early healing and compromised tissue conditions, PRF offers more reliable regenerative outcomes. Overall, both concentrates serve as effective adjuncts, with PRF demonstrating greater consistency across applications.

Introduction

The text provides a comprehensive review of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as autologous regenerative biomaterials widely used in oral and maxillofacial surgery, particularly for bone regeneration and wound healing. PRP is derived from a patient’s blood through centrifugation to concentrate platelets and growth factors such as PDGF, TGF-β, VEGF, and EGF, which play key roles in angiogenesis, cellular proliferation, and bone repair. While PRP is cost-effective and enhances early healing, its clinical outcomes are variable due to differences in preparation methods, platelet concentration, leukocyte content, and short-lived growth factor release.

PRF, a second-generation platelet concentrate prepared without anticoagulants, offers several advantages over PRP. Its dense fibrin matrix serves as a natural scaffold that allows slow and sustained release of growth factors and cytokines, leading to more predictable and prolonged regenerative effects. PRF has demonstrated consistent benefits in bone regeneration, soft tissue healing, reduction of postoperative pain and inflammation, and management of compromised healing conditions such as bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis and anticoagulated or irradiated tissues.

The literature review highlights experimental and clinical evidence showing that both PRP and PRF enhance angiogenesis, osteoblast activity, and soft tissue repair, though PRF generally produces superior and more reliable outcomes. Growth factors and cytokines released from these platelet concentrates synergistically regulate inflammation, cell migration, extracellular matrix formation, and osteogenesis, with PRF offering controlled biological activity due to its fibrin scaffold.

Comparative analysis indicates that PRP provides a rapid but short-term stimulatory effect, making it useful for early healing phases, whereas PRF supports long-term regeneration through sustained growth factor release. Across applications such as bone grafting, sinus-lift procedures, alveolar socket healing, implantology, and general oral surgery, PRF consistently outperforms PRP in terms of healing quality, predictability, and patient comfort.

Conclusion

Overall, both PRP and PRF play valuable roles in enhancing bone and soft tissue healing, but their clinical effectiveness varies. PRP tends to provide early-phase benefits, particularly in soft tissue repair, yet its long-term influence on bone regeneration remains inconsistent. In contrast, PRF offers more predictable and sustained regenerative outcomes due to its fibrin matrix and gradual release of growth factors. Together, these platelet concentrates serve as useful adjuncts in oral and maxillofacial procedures, with PRF showing superior reliability across diverse clinical applications.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Dr. Kanimozhiy Senguttuvan, Sri Vikram R, Samiksha N, Dr. Afradh , Dr. Gayathri . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.