PRF Regenerative Therapy
Platelet-rich fibrin is prepared from a small sample of your own blood, spun to concentrate platelets and the growth factors they carry. In the jaw joint it is used to support repair in tissue that is inflamed or degenerating, most often alongside a joint procedure rather than as a treatment on its own.
How it is prepared and used
Blood is drawn as it would be for any blood test and spun in a centrifuge. Because no anticoagulant is used, the platelets form a fibrin matrix that releases growth factors over time rather than all at once. That concentrate is then introduced into the joint space, usually in combination with joint lavage or as part of a wider treatment sequence.
Who it tends to suit
It is most often considered for joints with persistent inflammation or early degenerative change that have not settled with load reduction and appliance therapy alone. It is not a first-line treatment, and it is not a substitute for addressing what is overloading the joint — introducing growth factors into a joint that is still being overloaded every night is treating the consequence.
An honest read of the evidence
Research on autologous blood concentrates in the temporomandibular joint is growing and broadly encouraging, particularly for pain and range of motion, but the studies are mostly small and protocols differ between them. It is reasonable to describe it as a promising adjunct with a strong safety profile, because the material is your own. It is not reasonable to present it as established or guaranteed, and we do not.
Common questions
- Is PRF the same as PRP?
- They are related. PRP is platelet-rich plasma, prepared with an anticoagulant. PRF is spun without one, so it forms a fibrin scaffold that releases growth factors gradually rather than immediately. Both are autologous — derived from your own blood.
- Is there a rejection risk?
- No. The material comes from your own blood, which is the main reason its safety profile is favourable. Normal injection-related risks still apply and are discussed beforehand.
Not sure where to start?
Request a virtual consultation with Dr. Samadian. In-person visits are by appointment in New York.
Book An AppointmentRelated Care
All TMJ Treatments- Orthotic Appliance TherapyA custom orthotic that repositions, not just cushions.
- ProlotherapyStimulating repair in a lax, unstable joint.
- Therapeutic InjectionsTargeted injections for muscle and joint pain.
- Exercises for TMJWhat helps at home — and what makes it worse.
- Medications for TMJWhere drugs help, and where they only mask.
- Relaxation TechniquesLowering the muscle tone that drives clenching.