L-PRF (leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin) is a healing material made from a small sample of your own blood and placed at a surgical site to support healing. We use L-PRF therapy at our Redondo Beach office, a short drive from Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo and Torrance.
L-PRF comes up mostly around tooth extractions, bone grafts and implant surgery, procedures that fall under restorative dentistry. It is an add-on to a procedure, never a replacement for one. If you are planning surgery and want to know whether L-PRF suits your case, call (310) 542-6988.
What L-PRF Is
The name describes what the material contains. Platelets are blood cells involved in clotting and repair. Leukocytes are white blood cells. Fibrin is the protein mesh that forms a natural clot. Spinning blood in a centrifuge separates these from the rest of the sample and leaves a soft fibrin clot that can be shaped into a plug or a thin membrane.
Because it comes from your own blood, nothing is taken from a donor. That does not make L-PRF risk free or guarantee a result, and the published research is more modest than most marketing for it.
How L-PRF Is Made and Placed
- Review. Your dentist checks your health history and the planned procedure to decide whether L-PRF belongs in the plan.
- Blood draw. A small amount of blood is taken before treatment begins, in the way blood is drawn for a lab test.
- Centrifuge. The sample is spun to separate the platelet- and fibrin-rich layer from the rest of the blood.
- Placement. The fibrin is applied to the treatment area, for example in an extraction socket or over graft material, as part of the procedure.
- Aftercare. You follow the same instructions you would for the procedure itself. Ask what to expect at the site and when to call.
Where L-PRF Is Used
These are the common uses. Your exam decides which, if any, apply to you.
- Extraction sockets. A plug of fibrin can be placed in the empty socket after a tooth is removed.
- Bone grafting. It can be placed over or mixed with the material used in dental bone grafting.
- Dental implants. Dental implants need time to heal and can involve bone and tissue regeneration, which is where L-PRF is most often discussed.
- Gum procedures. It is sometimes used alongside soft tissue grafting to cover and protect the area.
What the Research Says
The evidence is mixed, and it is strongest for the early weeks. A 2021 systematic review in the International Journal of Implant Dentistry pooled 20 randomized or controlled studies of platelet-rich fibrin in fresh extraction sockets. The authors concluded PRF was most useful in the early healing period, about two to three months after extraction, and that a longer healing period may not show any benefit. They also found the data did not allow any statement about long-term implant success in sockets treated with PRF.
Within that review, most studies that measured pain found less of it in the first few days, and bone shrinkage was lower at two to three months but not at six. Studies also use different spin settings and different PRF products, so one study’s result does not carry over to every office or procedure. That is why we describe L-PRF as something that may support healing, not something that will.
Risks and Limitations
- It adds a blood draw. Brief discomfort, bruising or lightheadedness can follow, as with any blood draw.
- It does not remove the risks of the procedure. Swelling, soreness, infection and a graft that does not fully take can still happen with L-PRF.
- Benefit is not guaranteed. Healing depends on the site, your health, smoking and how closely you follow aftercare.
- It may not suit everyone. Blood disorders, some medications and other health conditions can affect whether it is appropriate. Tell your dentist about both before surgery.
- It may add cost. It is often a separate item, and insurance may not cover it.
- Long-term results are not established. The review above found no data on long-term implant success with PRF.
What L-PRF Costs
What you pay depends on the procedure it accompanies, how much material is placed and whether it is billed as a separate item. Ask for an estimate at your consultation so you know the number before treatment starts.
Insurance coverage varies by plan. We accept PPO plans; ask us how your plan applies to this treatment. For the remaining balance, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, plus an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Who You Will See
Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads care at Redondo Beach Dental Group. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors, and his work covers cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including implant restorations. Ask who will draw and prepare the sample for your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does dental PRF cost?
The cost of dental PRF depends on the procedure it is used with, how much is placed and whether it is billed separately. It is usually added to a surgery, so the fee comes on top of the procedure rather than replacing it. Ask us for an estimate after your exam.
Does dental insurance cover PRF?
Dental insurance coverage for PRF depends on your plan, and a plan can treat a healing aid used during surgery differently from the surgery itself. Many plans do not list it on its own, so ask us how your plan applies before treatment.
Is dental PRF worth it?
Dental PRF may be worth discussing when you are having an extraction, graft or implant and want added healing support, but the benefit is modest and not guaranteed. The systematic review cited on this topic found its effect strongest in the first two to three months. Ask your dentist what it would add to your case and what it would cost.
How likely is a dry socket with PRF?
A dry socket is less likely in some studies when PRF is placed after an extraction, but results vary and PRF does not rule it out. Dry socket happens when the blood clot is lost from the socket, which causes pain a few days after surgery. Following your aftercare instructions and avoiding smoking lowers the risk, with or without PRF.
Can dentists do PRF?
Dentists can use PRF during procedures such as extractions, grafts and implant surgery when they have the equipment and training for it. Offices differ, so ask who prepares and places it for your treatment.
Is PRF really better than PRP?
Neither PRF nor PRP has been shown to be clearly better across dental procedures, and the two are different products. Both are made from your own blood. PRP is usually a liquid concentrate of platelets, while PRF forms a fibrin clot that can be placed as a plug or membrane, which is why PRF is the one discussed for extraction sites and grafts. Which one fits depends on the procedure.
Does PRF regrow gums?
PRF is not a stand-alone treatment for receded gums and does not regrow gum tissue that has been lost. Where gums have pulled back, soft tissue grafting is the usual treatment, and PRF is sometimes added to support healing. Ask whether it would add anything in your case.
What are the cons of PRF?
The main cons of PRF are an added blood draw, a possible extra cost, and a benefit that is modest and not guaranteed. It does not lower the risks of the surgery itself, and it may not suit people with certain blood disorders or medications. Tell your dentist about your health history before it is planned.
Ask About L-PRF in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online.