Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) Therapy in Lakewood

In modern dentistry, the best healing tools don’t always come from a pharmacy, they often come from your own body. For patients in Lakewood and Tacoma, Dr. Kevin Kim, DDS utilizes Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) Therapy to supercharge the body’s natural ability to repair itself. PRF is a second-generation concentrate of your own blood that is packed with growth factors, white blood cells, and stem cells. By applying this “super-clot” to surgical sites, Dr. Kim can significantly reduce healing time, decrease post-operative discomfort, and improve the success rates of complex procedures like dental implants and bone grafting.

How PRF Works: Your Body’s Natural Pharmacy

The process of creating PRF is simple and performed right in our Lakewood office. A small sample of your blood is drawn, similar to a routine lab test, and placed in a specialized centrifuge. As it spins, the blood separates into different layers. Dr. Kim harvests the “fibrin” layer, which is a thick, yellow, gel-like substance rich in platelets and growth factors. Unlike older methods (like PRP), PRF does not use any anticoagulants or chemicals, making it 100% natural and biocompatible.

The Benefits of PRF at Dental Health Associates

As a specialized Dental Implant Periodontist, Dr. Kevin Kim integrates PRF into almost every surgical case for our neighbors in University Place and Steilacoom. The advantages include:

• Faster Healing: The growth factors in PRF are released slowly over 7 to 14 days, providing a constant “boost” to the tissue-regeneration process.
• Reduced Infection Risk: PRF contains high concentrations of white blood cells, which act as a natural defense against bacteria at the surgical site.
• Improved Bone Grafting: When mixed with bone grafting material, PRF acts as a “biological glue,” holding the graft in place and encouraging faster bone growth.
• Less Pain and Swelling: Because PRF accelerates the sealing of the wound, patients typically experience significantly less post-operative inflammation and discomfort.

A Specialized Tool for Complex Surgery

Dr. Kim uses PRF to enhance a wide variety of treatments, including Socket Preservation, Sinus Lifts, and Implant Retreatment. By “biologicalizing” the surgery, we are not just placing a mechanical implant; we are creating an environment where your body accepts the new tooth as its own. This commitment to using the latest biotech is why patients from JBLM and Clover Park trust Dr. Kim for their most important dental work.

Using your own biology is the safest and most effective way to ensure a smooth recovery. To learn more about the science behind fibrin and tissue engineering, you can visit the National Institutes of Health (NIH) overview of PRF in dentistry or explore resources from the American Academy of Periodontology. At Dental Health Associates, we believe in working with nature to give you the best possible result.