While the best teeth are natural teeth, ceramic implants are a great option in the event one or more of those natural teeth needs to be replaced – especially when done with the help of complementary tools such as ozone and platelet rich fibrin (PRF). Both have been shown to improve implant outcomes.
In fact, earlier this year, we blogged about some of the latest research on this matter. The summertime brought even more, including a new study in Cureus that provides yet more evidence for PRF’s ability to enhance implant stability.
Its authors wanted to know: Could PRF help implants bond better with the jawbone – a process called osseointegration? They wanted to see if it could boost the initial stability of implants and how well they held up over time.
The study involved 24 patients, some of whom got implants with PRF, while others had the standard procedure without it. Implant stability was measured using a device called MEGA ISQ, which sends tiny vibrations to an implant and analyzes how the implant and surrounding bone respond. That response is converted into a number called the Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ). The higher the ISQ score, the more stable the implant.
The research team also monitored various clinical parameters, including plaque index (how much plaque built up), gingival index (how healthy the gums were), and implant probing pocket depth. All of this was to see if PRF was making a difference.
While both groups saw improvements in the health of their gums, implant stability was better in the PRF group at both their 3-month and 6-month followups. At 6-months, the gum tissue around the PRF implants seemed to be hugging them a bit tighter, with shallower pockets.
Bottom line? Using PRF appeared to lead to more successful implant procedures and potentially longer-lasting results.
Certainly, this study, like all studies, had its limitations. The group of patients was small, and a longer followup period could show some different results. But coming on the heels of earlier studies, it does lend yet more weight to the benefits of using PRF in implant surgery.
And that’s a big deal. We understand that dental implants are a real investment. That’s why we’re committed to doing everything we can to generate the best results possible – so you can enjoy your investment for many years to come.
